I disconnect the call to the sound of Wyatt’s laughter and see Ma’s grinning face, wondering what I just got myself into by involving the old bat in my business.
Somehow those restraints are looking mighty fine just about now as I follow her into the living room to see Pop sitting there, grinning just as broadly.
“Please tell me you and Trace will at least give this old woman a few grandkids and undo the damage Miah and Clari did.”
Ma’s grinning and rubbing her hands together like an evil crone while Pop looks on, obviously enjoying the show that is the Jude Lane project.
“Pop. Trace and I aren’t even together yet, and I still have a lot of shi—stuff to do concerning the mess the family is in. A little time wouldn’t go amiss here, old man.”
Pop smiles and shrugs casually, waving my words away.
“With Judy here on the case, you’re bound to get your girl. The family shit is just another cog in this wheel that you and your brothers will sort out in time.”
Well, looks like Ma and her greedy paws will be getting another grandkid soon. Really, who am I to deny her what she wants when she’s going to all this trouble to help me get Tracy back.
“Tell me, you old dictator.”
“Ooooh! She’s coming to dinner tonight, Jace! I can’t wait to see her again after so long. And—George! Come and help me prepare a menu and get a room ready for our girl.”
“Ma. Trace will be sleeping with me,” I cut in when she reaches the door in her frenzy.
“But—”
“That’s final, Ma. Tracy will be in my room, in my bed, and I don’t want you putting any other ideas in her head,” I warn, ignoring Pop’s chuckle and Ma’s frown.
“Fine, but I expect a grandbaby soon if I’m to convince the girl that fast that you aren’t a little shit, Jason Lane,” she huffs, throwing her hands in the air when Pop starts guffawing.
“Really, George, the doctor doesn’t want you getting so overexcited.”
“Stop complaining, woman, and go start on your menu while I talk to our kid. He’ll need a few tips on how to tame a wild filly, and I’m just the man to do that.” He winks.
Ma blushes and leaves the room giggling, her titters and the saucy wink she throws him making my stomach turn violently.
“Gross, Pop.”
“Hmm, you wanted her gone so you can go see your woman? Well she’s occupied, jackass. I’ll see you later.”
I’m out the door and speeding down the drive moments later, trying to scrub my brain of thoughts of Pop and Ma…in that way.
Chapter Five
Trace
When a good plan comes together it’s the same as winning that carnival teddy bear that no one could nab. I feel great right now after a call from Jude Lane that I wasn’t expecting at all.
And that makes me laugh giddily because who in their right mind would ever expect Jason Lane to get his mommy to hook a girl for him? Not me, and certainly not after the way he watched me from that diner all afternoon while I tried and failed to keep track of the conversation between Ronny and Paulie.
I expected something a little more…forceful from my Jace than to run home and get his mom involved. I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed that he didn’t just go caveman on me and strap me to his freaking bed.
You gotta admit that would have been way hot.
And it would have given me a quick excuse to jump the guy like a sex-starved spinster, which is what I am if you really add up all the years I’ve been on this dry spell.
I have to admit to being a little nervous, and who can blame me? The Lanes—the good ones, at least—are like the freaking Christmas card family with all their love and affection and…and it’s as magnetic as it is scary.
The last time I saw Jude and the others, we were celebrating Wyatt’s birthday as if he were the Second Coming or something, and the outpouring of pure love and joy they all showed, the way they treated his birthday as if it were one of the top ten best things to ever happen in the world was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.
Now I’m going back, and with three extras and a baby to show me exactly how dysfunctional my family is. Know what my mom and dad got me for my birthday besides a huge party with four hundred guests I don’t even like?
Mom got me a gift card—admittedly, her version carries a few thousand dollars’ worth of credit. Dad sent me a wedding catalogue and a ring that was supposed to be my wedding ring or engagement ring or whatever he was saying after I stopped listening.
I have to go to dinner with people I don’t relate to, and who turned their backs on me when Jace was done with me. How I should remain objective and keep to the mission is beyond me when all I really want to do is kick a few of them in the balls and throw a few punches to even the score.