“Mind helping me wash these potatoes for the stew?” she asks.
“Of course.”
I take the bowl of potatoes from her and busy myself at the sink.
“You know, don’t tell Emery I said this, but I think Reed is seeing someone,” Kathy says from behind me.
I drop the bowl of potatoes and they land heavily in the sink with a loud clunk. Whipping around, I clear my throat nervously. “Why would you think that? It’s Reed,” I stammer.
She shrugs. “I know my boy. Perks of having boys, they’re mama’s boys. I know him like the back of my hand… it’s just a feeling I get.”
I swallow thickly, my throat suddenly feeling tighter than ever. Is it obvious? The way we act around each other? My nervous jitters morph into full-blown panic.
“I’m hoping he does settle down. He’s not getting any younger, and if he could find someone that loves him and Evan… it’s all I wish for my baby boy. To find love and happiness. In his profession, it’s hard to determine who is genuine and not just out for the perks of being married to a hockey player. I think that’s part of his problem, he has a hard time finding a genuine connection to anyone because of it.” She looks up at me and smiles. “Sorry, I’m rambling, I just haven’t ever seen him so happy. I can’t help but wonder if it’s something more than just Evan.”
I nod shakily and drag my eyes back to the potatoes I’m mindlessly running water over. We finish prepping dinner in silence, but her words weigh heavy on my mind.
Why can’t the way I feel about Reed be simple? Why does anyone have to be hurt because of how we feel about each other? Things aren’t simple any longer; they’re complicated, and I have a feeling if I’m not honest with myself, and Reed soon, I’ll end up hurt.