“Sure. I have to work tonight too.”
I don’t say more because even though Mom’s somewhere else in the house, I don’t need her finding out more. She still thinks I’m a night shift waitress when in fact, I’m not. I couldn’t exactly tell her I started moonlighting as a medic for a women’s underground boxing club, in between fighting at the very same club. The money I make for stepping into the ring is good, and medic duty allows me to polish up basic skills since finishing my nursing degree back in Louisiana.
All the practice I get working this gig is helping me prepare for the national exam. If I’m successful, I can apply for Utah, Nevada and Arizona state licenses right away. Living around here, with Las Vegas, Nevada to the southwest and St. George, Utah to the northeast, there’s no way to know where I’ll find my first real RN job. Having all three state licenses gives me the best options, so doing these underground gigs are just a means to an end, the cash to study by day so I can prepare and pay for all three. But I can only imagine the hell I’d get from my mother if she ever learns that I spend any time at all in places where women beat each other to a pulp for cash.
“No problem,” Tate agrees but won’t look straight at me. We’ve barely made eye contact since my mother came home. I can’t blame him, really, when I’ve never let them in the same room more than a handful of times. We’re supposed to be fuck buddies and nothing more.
“Give me a minute to get ready.”
“Take your time. I want to take another look around here and see what kind of video surveillance might work. Your mom’s cool with that, right?”
“I think so.”
Tate’s brows rise. He looks toward the hallway Mom took as she left. “I’m not saying that she’s in any danger, but with a guy like that, the fact that he’s willing to forcibly break into her house to see you, it’s not encouraging. She shouldn’t take any chances.”
“Sure. Mom won’t mind you poking around because she knows what’s going on. She’s the one who paid for your gig.”
“Does she know about the damage to the side door? Or that he put his hand on you?”
“Well, no. I didn’t want to stress her out.”
“So, hiding shit is a thing for you.”
“Don’t start. She’d freak out if she knew that part. Look, do whatever you think is best. You’re the expert. I’ll get these put away and pack up a few things. You can tell her the kitchen’s back to normal if you bump into her while you’re looking around.”
Snatching up the pile of sex toys, I hurry up to my bedroom. I dump everything on my bed and take a deep breath as I grab my travel bag. On top of getting caught with Tate in the kitchen, the irony of spending more time with him so I can hide out from my ex isn’t lost on me. Shaking my head, I smile and begin to fill my bag with the essentials from my closet and dresser drawer.
Someone knocks on my partially open door less than ten minutes later. As I turn, I’m surprised to see both my mother and Tate standing in the open doorway.
Great. A tag team already.
I sit on the edge of the bed, waiting for whatever it is they want with me—together.
Could this get any weirder? I actually don’t want an answer to that question. I’d much prefer to leave the house and avoid any further weirdness.
“Hi. I’m almost ready,” I announce when they just stand there. “Everything all right?”
“I’m good.” He nods his head.
“What’s up?”
“Your mom gave me an interesting update in the living room. I thought you might want to hear about. Something about that ex of yours going to see her?”
A sliver of dread makes my fingers and toes tingle. My stomach goes in knots. This can’t be good, judging by his stern facial expression. And my mother looks as if she’s just been invited to a garden party. She’s definitely covering up the gravity of something serious.
I dig my hands into the comforter behind my back and press my lips together so tightly that it hurts my mouth. “What did he do now?”
Mom takes a step closer. “I was at the grocery store when you know who bumped his cart into me. “