Super Crush (BxB)

Off the Bench/On the Bench (S2)

Dad tells me to go spend the day with Mom before the mission tomorrow. Emotionally, I am still on the fence as to where my trust level falls with her. Dad is right though, I should devote the day to her if I am heading out on the assignment in the morning. Plus, ulterior motive, I can secretly press her for information about who her boss is.

Mom beat me back to the hotel.

"Hey, where have you been?" She asks as the door closes behind me.

Thankfully, I stopped for an Americano on the way so I had an alibi as to where I was. The barista gave me a he's-American-smirk, but it was worth the needed prop in case this conversation happened.

"Sorry, I went for coffee," I respond, holding my cup up.

"Why didn't you answer your phone when I called?"

Ummm.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, and it alerts me that I've missed three calls. She must have tried me when I was on the boat back. I was too busy silently analyzing Vito to pay attention to my phone. I have deduced that he must work directly for Dad. He was waiting to take me back to the mainland from the Capri pier.

Looks like she called again while I was on my trek from the dock to the coffee shop. And then again when I was waiting in line in the coffee shop. A pang of guilt pops up in my gut.

I slide my settings off of silent. "Sorry, Mom. I didn't know that I was on Do Not Disturb." I felt a bit better that it wasn't a lie.

"Alright," she says but the judgment is just barely hidden.

"By the way, you missed the excitement," Mom's tone changes. "A woman from the front desk called the room and told me that I won a spa day!"

"What now?" I ask before the pieces come together.

"Yeah. She said on check-in I was entered into some local contest. I didn't even know it."

Dad's words echo in my ears: "I have a plan."

"Wow. That's awesome, Mom. What a great surprise."

Surprise my ass. But it looks like whatever Dad cooked up to get Mom into a little self-time retreat has done the trick to free up my day tomorrow.

"They said that there is a massage and a salt bath and a sauna. I am going to get my nails done and maybe my toes done too."

She is getting giddier by the minute. It makes me realize that this is probably the first time in over a year that Mom has gotten the chance to do something so relaxing for herself.

"Oh, Noah." She hits the pause on her excitement. "I can't leave you on your own tomorrow. I should call and tell them grazie but I can't make it."

Her genuineness makes me smile. "No, Mom. You have to go. You need some self-care in your life. You have been so worried about me for weeks. So take the time. Reenergize. I can handle myself for the day."

Mom hugs me and then asks, "Are you sure? We have been having such a nice time together. I don't want you to think I'd rather go off on my own and spend the day being pampered while you–"

"Mom. You're good. I am sure I can find something to get into."

"Something legal." Her stare is serious, but I laugh anyway.

***

I saw Mom off to her retreat earlier today. It is probably better that we take a day off from one another. Based on how much pizza and gelato we encouraged each other to eat yesterday, my stomach needs a break.