“You’ll be able to afford nice things soon enough.” Mom huffed. “How is he settling in there? It’s got to be hot for him.”
“It is, but we stay inside the air conditioning during the day.” I skimmed my hand along the red diamond pattern in the Navajo blanket my aunt gave me, resting over my grey bedspread. Should I tell Mom about the women we met? No…“How’s Dad doing?”
“Great, he did some Plein Air painting in the desert this afternoon.” She sighed. “He left the insurance office early today.”
“That’s good, isn’t it? Painting always puts him in a better mood.” My dad should have been an artist, but he’d focused on keeping up with Mom financially. “Any interesting cases come your way?” She was a prosecuting attorney and had some crazy cases.
“Not really. Just a DWI case where the guy blew three times over the limit. It was his second one, and he’d tried to outrun the police and hit a car with a family in it. He’s going to jail for sure.” She scoffed. “Don’t you ever?—”
“I know, drink and drive. We call Ubers, Mom.” I rolled my eyes and glanced at one of my beaded bracelets on my dresser. I’d have to remember to wear it when we went out on Friday. “How’s Landon doing?” My younger brother aimed to be just like Mom and go to law school someday.
“He’s great. He’s been enjoying the summer with his friends. They camped beside the creek and came back dirty as hell.” She chuckled. “You’d think they rolled in the dirt while they were there.”
“They might have. They’re boys, Mom.” I grinned at the phone. My poor mother, the things she’d endured, with a house full of males.
“I saw your old girlfriend, Belinda, at the grocery store the other day. She’s home from college.” Mom exhaled. “Looks like she’s got a new boyfriend. She was with a nice young man from Colorado.”
“Oh.” I didn’t care. We’d been together for two years and broke up shortly after I came to ASU. “Well, good for her.” And one…and two…and?—
“Have you met anyone?” she asked.
“Nope, no one I’d want to tell you about.” And if I did, they’d be in for a shock when it turned out to be another man. I fell back on the bed, my legs dangling off the edge. “I’m heading to a party with Grey and some women we met at a pizza place the other night. We’ll see.” Okay, guess I’d told her about them. Eventually I’d reveal my sexuality to them, but I’d never had a reason so far. Being as liberal as they were, I didn’t see it being a problem.
“Oh?” Her smirk carried through the phone. “Who are they?”
Now I’d done it. “Nobody worth discussing. We’re not into them, okay? We’re attending the party to have something to do.” I planted the heel of my hand on my forehead. I shouldn’t have told her.
“Now, Malik, I raised you better than that. It’s not nice to lead girls on.”
“I’m not leading them on.” She didn’t understand how dating worked these days. “We’re just hanging out, that’s all.” I huffed. Would she leave it alone?
Grey appeared at my door. “Everything okay?” He stepped inside and lay next to me on his stomach.
“Is that Greyson?” Mom asked.
His face lit. “It sure is, Janice. It’s nice to hear your voice.”
“Oh, such a charmer.” She chuckled. “Are you getting along okay? How do you like the heat?”
“I hate it, but I’m getting used to it. Your son keeps me indoors most of the time.” He turned his smile toward me.
“I hear you met some girls you’re taking to a party on Friday,” Mom said.
“Oh, you did, huh?” As he bit his lower lip, he flicked my head.
“Ow,” I said softly and rubbed the sting on my scalp. The fucker, he’d pay for that later.
“Yeah, we’ll see how that goes. I’m not sure this girl is my type.” He sighed and toyed with a lock of my hair, wrapping it around his finger.
“Well, you boys need to be focused on football and your studies. This is a significant year for you both.”
“Yes, we know, Mom.” Choking a scoff, I grabbed his hand and threaded my fingers through his. “Anyway, we should go. Is there anything else you wanted?”
“No, just checking in. I’m glad Grey could live with you this year.” She huffed a breath. “But don’t get in trouble.”
“We won’t, Janice. I’ll make sure Malik here is a good boy.” He gave me a cheesy smile and squeezed my hand.
“I knew I could count on you, Greyson,” she said. “Okay, talk to you soon, and I love you both.”