The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(6)

"Don't you want to be happy?" she asked, throwing her hands up in frustration. "You're already 35-years-old. At your age your father and I had been married for close to ten years, and had already had you and your sister."

"I am happy," I said.

"How can anybody be happy without a family--kids!"

Here we go again, I thought. It always came back to grandkids. "You know your father and I aren't getting any younger. We won't be around forever."

"I can give you grandkids without getting married," I said.

She sucked in a sharp gasp. "How can you even say such things, Robert! Your father always said I spoiled you when you were younger, and now I see he may have been right. You've had your way for far too long. Now it's time for you to grow up and settle down."

"Why don't you go bother Stella about getting married? She can give you grandkids too, you know."

I knew I sounded petulant and immature, but there was just something about speaking with my mother that turned me back into that bratty little boy I used to be. I hated to be told what to do and when to do it, even if it was the best thing for me. I always rebelled against it, and my mother should have known by now that her nagging was only driving me to do the opposite of what she wanted.

"Don't try to change the subject, Robert. We're talking about you. Now I've given you more than enough time and chances to sort out your own life. I can see that hasn't changed anything, and now I'm forced to take drastic measures," she said.

I sat up from my bench and pinned her with a scowl. "What are you talking about?"

"You obviously cannot be relied upon to find yourself a bride. So that leaves it up to me, as your mother, to see to the matter."




"Don't even dare. I'm a grown man, and I won't have you interfering in my personal life. Now I've tolerated your constant complaints and nagging so far, but here you're stepping over the line."

"I give you six months to find a nice suitable woman. If you don't, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands," she said before walking toward me briskly and giving me a peck on the cheek. I was so stunned, I sat there motionless. I couldn't form any words or do anything but just stare at her blankly as she turned around and walked toward the door.

"Oh and by the way, do try to tidy up in here; it's a pig sty. And I'll send Mara over with some ginger tea for your hangover."

With that she opened the door and stepped out, closing it with a loud thud. Once the door was closed, I snapped out of my stupor. The realization of what she said flooded over me, and I felt my blood pressure starting to climb, as my heart beat thudded in my chest. I was halfway out of my chair, on the verge of chasing her down and giving her a piece of my mind, but then plunked back down in my seat.

Whenever my mother got one of her wild notions, it was virtually impossible to talk her out of it. I would have had more success trying to talk to a brick wall. The only one she ever listened to was my father, and even then, only rarely. I knew my father wouldn't offer to step in on my behalf. He got too much enjoyment watching me squirm. And besides, I didn't doubt that he wanted grandkids very badly as well. Still, the thought that my mother would...do something...rankled. There must be something I could do to stop her.



***

"It's your own fault, you know," my sister, Stella, said as she poured me a cup of coffee.

Once I'd calmed down and gotten showered and dressed, I headed over to her flat. I needed someone to vent my frustrations to. Since all my friends seemed to be getting coupled up, Stella was the only one I could talk to. She knew the lengths my mother would go to better than anyone.

"How is any of this my fault?" I asked.

"You just relish throwing it in her face how much of a bachelor you are. Why don't you try a different approach?" she suggested.

"Why doesn't she butt out of my business? I mean, she actually walked in on me with a girl. You should have seen how she frightened poor Alicia when she barged in."

"Alicia? The party planner?" Stella asked.

I took another sip of coffee ignoring Stella's question and avoiding eye contact. Even so, I could feel her glare on me.

"Of all the people, Rob! You could have at least gone for someone not on the payroll."

"That's not the point," I said, brushing aside her criticism. "For goodness' sake! I'm 35 years old; you'd think she'd have realized I'm an adult, and no longer tied to her apron strings."

"You'll always be a child in her eyes. That's just how mothers operate," Stella said calmly.

"It's really the outside of enough!" I continued to rant. "How many times do I have to tell her I'm not interested in settling down, until she gets the message? If she continues down this route, I've half a mind to stay single forever just to spite her."

Stella took a sip of her tea, rolling her eyes at me over the rim of her mug. "You're being a little bit over dramatic, don't you think?" she asked.

"You say that now, but wait until she starts in on you and then you'll be singing a different tune."

"Oh, I doubt that. Mum knows she can't rile me up as easily as you. I'm too clever for her machinations," Stella said, a smug smile on her lips.