The Lyon: Lyon's Crew Part 4

"Okay son, talk to you later." I hung up before she could start in again.

"If that lady calls here do not divulge any information, she'll know your whole history in ten seconds flat trust me."

I hated the fleeting look of sorrow that flashed across her face.

"I have to get back."

"'Kay."

I walked away wondering about the hint of pain in her eyes, there was something there and I wanted to know what the f.u.c.k it was.

If I didn't get some answers real f.u.c.king soon I'd just beat that s.h.i.+t out of Jared.

She'll know your a whole history in ten seconds flat.

What a depressing thought.

I'd been feeling a little giddy then, I'd gone from facing imminent termination to landing the boss a lucrative contract, something I still didn't quite understand but knew it was all good.

Though I did think grumpy old man was bat s.h.i.+t crazy.

Colton came into the room sucking up all the oxygen and I'd sent up a silent prayer of thanks that I'd get to bask in his glow for yet another day.

Then came the phone call.

Obviously it was his mother, she sounded nice enough if a little nosy, I could so see the truth in his words.

She talks a mile a minute and trips from one topic to the next before you can catch your breath.

I settled back into work for the last couple hours until it was knockoff time.

Jared was all excited when he came to take me home.

I barely heard or understood a word he said since I was too busy being b.u.mmed that Colton was nowhere in sight.

"So you're going to go right?"

"Huh, go where?"

"The Lyon's barbecue, didn't you hear a word I said?"

"No, not really."

"Colton's parents, every year they have a Memorial Day barbecue slash picnic, you have to come, everyone's going to be there, even your dad drops by sometimes if he's not working."

"I don't know, I mean no one invited me... plus that's only like five days away I didn't bring anything suitable to wear to something like that."

I looked down at the b.u.t.t ugly suit and nurse Ratchet shoes I was now wearing.

"Come on Kat,it'll be fun and I'll be there, nothing will go wrong."

"I don't know Jared..."

"At least think about it okay."

"Sure, I'll think about it but no promises."

"No problem, let's get on the road I have a hot date lined up for tonight."

"You're such a dog Jared, who is she this time?"

"New chick, you know the chicks dig me, s.e.xy beast."

"Yeah okay, whatever floats your boat, at least you got the beast part right."

"Whatever smart a.s.s."

He put me in a playful headlock just as Colton turned the corner.

"See ya later boss."

Jared called out as we walked pa.s.s.

Didn't he notice that look on Colton's face, talk about shooting daggers with your eyes, it's a wonder I wasn't an ember, and why the h.e.l.l was he looking at me like I betrayed him, I hope bat s.h.i.+t guy hadn't changed his mind about the deal. s.h.i.+t.

That night I called my mom for our nightly chat, my mom is my sounding board whenever my mind becomes overcrowded.

"So how's the new job sweetie, you like it?"

"It's fine mom, pretty easy, but guess what, so this guy calls today and he's as rude as you want to be, he just rubbed me the wrong way you know, so I kinda let him have it..."

"Wait a minute, you did what?"

"I put him in his place, next thing I know he's showing up there."

"He didn't hurt you did he baby?" I hated the panic in her voice.

"No mom let me tell you, so anyway, turns out he's this uber rich old coot with the manners of a wildebeest, but guess what, he gave the boss a contract to supply him with bikes for all his ventures and apparently there are a ton of them.

Like he works with Hollywood and racing circuits here and in Europe among other things.

He said he liked my style and that's why he finally decided to give Colton the contract."

"Colton, ooh....... first name basis already, is this Colton handsome?"

"Mom... that's what he wants to be called."

I won't be telling you about the sir conversation.

"Are you having fun baby?"

"I'm fine mom, promise."

"You'd tell me if something was bothering you right?"

"Yes mom, besides dad's here, everything's fine, I like my new job, Jared's there which makes it easier.

My truck's almost ready so I should have a little more freedom soon, right now I'm pretty much stuck in the house but that's cool, not much to do around here anyway... wait a minute mom, someone's on the other line."

I put her on hold and clicked over.

The number didn't look familiar but it was local.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"h.e.l.lo, is this Katarina?"

"Uh, yes?"

Why did this voice sound familiar and not at the same time?

"This is Elena Lyon, we spoke earlier today."

"Oh hi."

Why the heck was Colton's mother calling me, please lady don't ask me any leading questions, please please please.

"I bet you're wondering why I'm calling when we've never even met.

I got your number from Jared, he's such a good boy, anyway I'm calling to invite you personally to our annual barbecue picnic on Monday, I know it's short notice but I didn't know about you until today so you can't refuse.

I won't take no for an answer, besides there's nothing else to do in this town on that day, everyone comes to my little get-togethers, you'll have a great time, great food, nice company what more can you ask, besides it'll be a great opportunity to meet the wives of the guys you work with, it'll be wonderful.

So I'll see you at about one, we like to start early, make a whole day and evening of it. If you need a ride that's okay too, I can certainly arrange that for you,so we're set then yes?"

"Uh, sure, okay."

Geez the lady's a steamroller.

I hurried her off before she had me agreeing to G.o.d knows what, and for some unknown reason, my heart was beating unusually fast.

"Mom can I talk to you later?"

"Sure baby, everything okay?"

"Yeah everything's fine, just have to do something."

I hung up with my mother and fell back against the bed, a barbecue picnic with people, from the sounds of it lots of people.

No wonder my heart was beating out of sync.

What a way to throw yourself into deep end Kat.

Oh well, you can't change your mind now and offend the boss's mother, so it's sink or swim time.

Ha, my son thinks he can outsmart me, good luck with that, the boy has always been a bit too brainy for his own good, but nothing beats a mother on the hunt for a daughter-in-law and grand babies.

Shoot, Stacy had already declared herself out of the running since her and Em had been trying for years without success and she refused to try artificial insemination, and Carol was nowhere near ready.

Anyway, my girl Char might be a crackpot but she knows her stuff.

My son had the nerve to lie to me repeatedly over dinner last night, he'll pay for that.

'No mom, I didn't meet any girls today.'

Ha, he's been telling that same lie for ten years now, I wonder how on earth he got his reputation as a cad if he wasn't meeting girls.

Of course he doesn't know that I know about such things, but women talk and some of the things I've heard about my one and only baby boy are not fit for mixed company.

He's his father's son after all.

Well according to Jared this Katarina is young in years but very smart,we'll just wait and see.

She sounded sweet as pie on the phone and I hope I'm not disappointed when we finally meet.