n

n

n

n“Mom, Keira and I were never a thing,” he groaned. “But the fact is, we were supposed to meet and someone found me while I was on my way to her. I didn’t want her to be connected to me so I left the location. Later she called and a friend of mine picked up the call. I think there was a misunderstanding and she thought I was not who I was and cheating on her.”

n“And this girl… how much did you like her?” she asked quizzically.

n“A whole lot, mom. She means so much to me.”

n“And you are being kidnapped by Stephen so that you can meet her face to face?”

n“Yes.” He pouted.

n“Where does she live?” she asked, her voice calm now. Cage couldn’t read the expression on her face. ‘Shit,’ he thought. She was going to cut through all his bull**.

n“In H city. Across town.”

n“And you didn’t think you should talk it out with her?” his mother accused.

n“I was angry that she would think so lowly of me.” Damnit, he wanted his mother to be on his side, at least.

n“So she must be a rotten girl.” No expression. She just said it like it was a fact. It shocked Cage.

n“No! She is sensitive and nice and everything perfect…” he defended.

n“Then why the hell are you being dragged to her house and not going to her and placing yourself at her feet, begging to be taken back?”

nSilence.

n“Give the phone to Stephen,” she demanded after a while.

n“Hi, Mrs. Cavanaugh,” he greeted again. “What’s up?”

n“Don’t use that tone with me, young man. Care to tell me why you are dragging my son all over town over a girl?” This tone could put the fear of God in anyone’s heart but Stephen took it lightly.

n“Because she is the one for him, Anna. I can feel it. No way I was going to desert security to come meet a girl he chanced upon online, but I can’t help but see the thing between the two of them.” Cage scowled at him. “He’s totally gone over her, Anna.”

nCage winced, knowing the hiss that would follow that comment.

n“Language, Stephen,” she said and then went silent.

n“Sorry, Mrs. Cavanaugh,” he said in a sing-song voice and a toothy smile. All was forgiven within the minute.

n“Is what he saying true, Cage? Are you in love with her?”

nHe thought over it for a time. If he was asked two days ago, he would say he was in love with her, but that day? Under the circumstances? He didn’t know what to think. He had already lost her. What was the point of loving her? “I thought I did, mom. But I don’t know anymore. She doesn’t trust me,” he whispered.

n“Did someone cheat on her, honey?” he made a sound. “Did you say something hurtful?”

n“I told her that I thought she was lying about her cheating ex-boyfriend.” She gasped.

n“Cage Cavanaugh! Is that how I have raised you? You must have hurt the poor girl!” She was appalled. That much was clear from the conversation.

n“But she hurt me, mom. Can’t you take my side?”

n“I am taking your side. Did you hide something from her? And now you are trying to rationalize it by these things…” she paused. Her eyes widened. “Cage…” she sounded pained.

nHe flinched. “Yeah. We never told each other our names. But I overheard a conversation in which I knew of her and Stephen found out more about her.”

n“So let me get this straight. You two anonymously fell in love and revealed yourself to the other without the pressure of money and connections. That sounds like a dream, honey…” her voice trailed off. “You kept something so big from her… and now you are accusing her of keeping something from you. Is that correct?”

n“Well, yes.” He sighed.

n“You’re worried that she isn’t the girl you thought she was. That she somehow found out who you were and turned herself into this fantasy girl who you would fall for.” He stared in awe. How did she know all of this that he was thinking but couldn’t put into words? “I am your mother, Cage. I understand you better than you understand yourself.”

nAnd he really did start to believe that.

n“Yes, mom.”

n“I see.” What did that mean?

n“Will you ask him to take me back home? I’ll call her, I promise.” Stephen would hear whatever she said.

n“I think Stephen is right. You should meet this girl and sit down and chat with her. Only then will you understand if you were conned or not. If she is who she said she is, you have a winner on your hands. Otherwise, Stephen can take care of the problem. What do you think?” And that was the end of the conversation.

n“I’m sorry. I’ll do as you say.” They exchanged greetings and then the call was cut.

n“Did you need your mother whipping your ass for you to know that what I am saying is right?”

n“Shut up,” he grumbled.

n“Talk to her… It won’t kill you.”

n‘It might just kill me. It might hurt me physically to be in the same room as her and not touch her and take her into my arms.’ And then he paused. He thought back. ‘But what if she is the girl she said she was? Does that mean I get to hold her?’

nHe rejoiced.

n– – –

n“Why are you driving like a snail?” Cage grumbled as he side-eyed Stephen.

nHe glanced at the clock on the dashboard as the GPS pinged. “It’s not time for her date yet, hopefully.” He laughed. “Don’t be so tense. She didn’t want to go; I am sure.”

nCage growled something under his breath and glared at his friend. Damn the man for torturing him. “We wouldn’t have been late if you had taken the other road!” he said.

n“The traffic is bad everywhere. I couldn’t have rerouted and made it in time anyway. You are crazy if you think that is possible.” Stephen scowled. “And I don’t want the cops to get me for disobeying traffic rules.”

n“It’s just a fine. It’s not like you are bankrupt. You can pay a fee,” Cage rolled his eyes.

n“Hey. I don’t want a black mark on my license. I want to be a model citizen.”

n