A Boy From Manning Heights ✔️

Chapter 37 | Jasper

It's odd seeing my mom with Beckett, I won't deny I've thought about introducing Beckett to my mom before...but obviously not like this.

We stop in the parking lot and I stand close to Beckett, I want to touch him, hold him, just feel him close to me, but of course in front of Maggie and my mom I have to settle for standing next to him.

"Mom, this is Beckett"

She smiles "we've met hun"

My face drops instantly it's my fault they met before I could be there, but that doesn't mean I'm any less disappointed.

"Oh...well I'm sure Maggie told you all about him"

My mom lifts a brow while Maggie laughs.

"Beckett wasn't up for talking much"

I turn to Beckett and give him a questioning look, but the way his cheeks blush and his eyes drop to the floor tells me he was worried.

"Beckett's my mentor at the school, he's a good guy and..."

I so desperately want to announce it "and I love him" how hard would it be? Just shout it for everyone to hear. Of course I don't do that and instead I just shrug as if I've forgotten what I wanted to say.

My mom is giving me an odd look and I don't like it so I clap my hands together.

"While I'm sure we should be getting back to the school right Beckett?"

I turn to him hoping he'll realize I want to get out of this conversation, but his eyes widen as if just realizing something.

"I have to call Mr.Balton! Officer Young brought me with him"

Maggie shakes her head.

"We can give you guys a ride! Harper's with her dad so we can take out her car seat if we have to"

I shake my head, but Beckett is already nodding and my mom is saying how great it will be to spend some more time together.

"I'll call the school Beckett, maybe Mr.Balton Will let the two of you play hooky a little longer and we can grab some brunch"

The urge to shake my head No is there, I just want to be alone in my room or Beckett's with him, but Beckett nudges my side and I force a smile onto my face climbing into my truck that Maggie happens to be driving, again.

My mom directs Maggie to go to her favourite diner and speaks briefly on the phone with Mr.Balton letting him know I'm not in trouble and there is nothing to worry about. I think he was more relieved to hear that I wasn't in trouble and really didn't care what we did afterwards along as he didn't need to have any legal issues to deal with.

Beckett is squished in beside me his leg touching mine and with minimal thought I drop my hand to his knee rubbing my thumb back fourth his leg casually.

He gives me a panicked look, but Maggie speaks again and distracts him.

"So Beckett, why don't you tell us more about you?"

Beckett looks concerned by this, but my mom has already started firing questions at him.

"How old are you? Are you in school? Do you have any siblings? Are your parents together?"

Beckett looks at me overwhelmed and I laugh giving him a shrug. Thankfully he's able to rattle off answers fairly quickly.

"20, dropped out of school not sure what I'm doing yet, my parents are together and I uh... had a brother"

I give my mom a hard look and she returns it with an apologetic one.

"I'm so sorry, may I ask what happened?"