Mom’s BoyfriendChapter 1

As bad ideas went this was the worst that Ryan Ward had ever heard off, it made Hitler’s invasion of Russia seem like a smart move and Icarus seem like a bright guy, but it was too late, he was committed. Beside him his Mom was opening the car door and greeting one of her old school friends who she hadn’t seen for near twenty years. He remained sitting for a moment, as the two women gabbled excitedly beside the car, but even as they were talking he could see the other woman looking through the window curiously at him, so he forced a smile onto his face, like he was excited to be here, and undid his safety belt.

“He is handsome Brandi” the woman said as he exited, “How did you snag someone so young?”

His Mom grinned proudly and slid her arm through his, “You wouldn’t believe we met in a coffee shop, Claire. I’d been served his latte by accident and we clicked at the counter as we were both returning them to the barista.” It was so obvious a lie that he was surprised Claire didn’t burst out laughing. Keep it simple, he had said to his Mom. It has to be romantic as well as believable, she had replied. Now Ryan wasn’t sure it was either.

But it seemed to work as Claire nodded sagely, “He looks so young and handsome,” she admired him like he was a Greek statue in a museum and he felt himself blushing. It was even worse as his Mom hugged him tighter, which would have been fine if she’d been acting as a possessive Mom trying to stop a cougar getting her hooks into him, but less so when she was playing the part of a cougar who had him in her claws and the other woman was a rival large cat eyeing the captured prey for herself. “So virile,” she purred, her eyes moving up and down him, mentally undressing him.

“He’s at college,” smiled his Mom. Another lie, though a smaller one, as he had just finished High School and was going to college in the Fall, however his Mom had thought it’d be easier if they made he’d left home already rather than having to field questions about what his parents thought about him being away at a wedding with a woman literally old enough to be his mother.

“I’m sure he’s getting an education,” Claire’s laugh left little doubt she was not talking about the learning you get in classrooms. “He can’t be much older than your son, what’s his name?”

“Michael,” his Mom said. That was true, even though as he’d been named after his Dad’s favourite uncle as soon as the man had left, sixteen years old, his Mom had reverted to his second name, Ryan, which is what everyone knew him as. “Slightly older, Michael’s away this weekend with friends, though he’s cool with Ryan, isn’t he lover?”

“He’s a great kid,” said Ryan, unable to stop himself from going even redder

Especially as his Mom couldn’t resist a little joke at his expense, “A little immature sometimes, though, not like my stud here.” She squeezed his arm tighter, but then luckily, deciding she’d spent enough time teasing him and artfully moved the conversation onto Claire’s children and husband (who sounded like he was close to sixty and very wealthy). After a few minutes his Mom glanced at her watch, “We better book in and change, it’s been a long drive. Will we see you in the bar?”

“I’ll be there,” said Claire, winking at Ryan and making it sound like she spent a fair amount of her evenings in hotel bars.

He was already heading to the car, “I’ll get our cases,” he said as his Mom finished her conversation with her friend. Getting them out, he was already at the entrance by the time his Mom said her goodbyes after exchanging some gossip.

“She hasn’t changed,” she said as she joined him, “Always on the look-out for other girl’s guys, even if she had one herself.”

“I’m your son,” he reminded her.

“Not for this weekend,” she grinned and slid her arm through his again, “Lover,” she teased.

“I can’t believe we got away with it,” he continued, looking around briefly to make sure no-one could overhear. “When we’re standing next to each other, didn’t she notice the family resemblance?”

“You look more like your Dad,” she replied and shrugged, “People see what they want to see. I said you’re my boyfriend, that’s what everyone is going to believe. Anyway I’ve not seen anyone here for close to eighteen years, if they ever saw you it was as a baby.”

“It’s only a wedding,” he had said, “No-one’s going to worry if you go without a partner.”