On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(47)

“How is she?” I ask, chewing on my bottom lip in worry.

“Well, I haven’t seen her yet, so I’m not sure. I was asleep when she got home, but I’m sure you’ll be able to patch it up… no worries.”

I blink in surprise. “If you haven’t seen her, how do you know about our fight?”

“Hunter called me about half an hour ago to give me a heads up. He said you’d be coming over here to talk to her.”

That absolutely amazes me. I never said a word to Hunter that I was going to come see Casey. In fact, I was on my way over to Last Call when I got the wild hair up my butt and decided to just nip this in the bud. The fact that Hunter seemed to know me a bit better than I knew myself freaks me out a bit, but I push that thought aside. I have to deal with Casey now.

Casey and Brody still live at home, which in the grand scheme of things seems pretty lame. Brody actually has an excuse since he just got out of prison and needed to acclimate, but I bet anything he’ll be getting his own place before too long. Casey is a different story. She never held down a job long enough to afford to move out, and I didn’t have high hopes for that with the way the real estate market is right now.

“So… uh, did Hunter tell you what the fight was about?”

Lillian gives me a knowing smile. “Come on… let’s have a cup of coffee. Casey will be up soon, but you and I can talk for a bit.”

Oh, just great. Lillian and I were going to talk about my relationship with her son. I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be doing more—which is definitely my sarcastic voice coming out.

I plop down at the kitchen table, while Lillian busies herself with pouring the coffee. My shoulders hunch forward and I sink down into the chair, mentally preparing to shield myself for whatever may be coming.

“What did Hunter tell you exactly?” I ask hesitantly, dreading what she may know.

“He told me everything, Gabby, starting from when he broke your heart five years ago and ending with him staying at your house last night.”

My face flames red at the thought of Hunter’s mom knowing such intimate details about my relationship with her son. I’m hugely mortified that she knows I had crushed on him and stupidly tried to kiss him—no correction, did kiss him—when I was eighteen. I’m even more embarrassed that she knows we spent the night together. Not that she doesn’t know her kids have sex. I mean, hello… we’re adults. But I just don’t like it so blatantly shoved in her face.

“And you get that look off your face right now, Gabby Ward,” she says to me sternly. My eyes snap up to hers, and I see she’s giving me the “mom” look, which means she’s not going to tolerate something. I’m just not sure exactly what it is she’s censuring me for.

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, she sits down and leans across the table toward me a bit. “Gabby… I’m thrilled you and Hunter are together. You’re like my daughter… a part of this family. I cannot think of a better woman for my son than you.”

My mouth hangs open, and I stare at her agog. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. And why wouldn’t I feel that way? You know I love you, right?”

“Yes, but…” My mind runs amok. It seems so silly that I was concerned about this… about how the family would feel, and that was part of the reason I wanted to hide it.

“But what?” she asks gently.

“I don’t think Casey approves,” I say in a quiet voice. “And I won’t ruin my friendship with Casey over Hunter.”

Lillian sits back in her chair and makes a snorting sound. “First… if Casey would make you choose between her and Hunter, then Casey doesn’t deserve you as a friend. But I know my daughter, and I know deep down she would love the idea of you and Hunter together. She loves you like I do… more even. Trust me, Casey will approve of this.”

“Hunter said she’s just mad we kept it secret.”

“I suspect that’s the case.” Lillian stands and leans over to kiss me on top of my head. “Now head back to her room and make sure she’s up for work… but don’t leave out of here without resolving things.”

I stand up and give Lillian a smile before I head down the hall. “Lillian… you know this thing with me and Hunter? It may be nothing. It may amount to nothing in the long run.”

She gives me a wise look and an understanding smile. “But it may amount to everything. Just enjoy it, Gabby.”

I nod at her and murmur “thanks” before heading back to Casey’s room. Knocking softly on the door, I hear her call me in. She’s sitting in bed, her back resting up against her headboard. Even though she’s still in bed, wearing her pajamas, I can tell she’s been up for a while because her eyes are clear and not a hint of grogginess surrounds her.

“Hey,” I say softly as I close the door and take a seat on the edge of her bed near her feet.

“Hey,” she says, keeping her eyes averted and pinned to her hands, which are clasped in her lap.

“I am so sorry, Case,” I begin, laying my hand on her ankle, which rests under the covers by my hip. “I never meant to hurt you, and it was stupid for me to keep that secret from you. You’re my best friend. You should have been the first person I told.”