Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Chapter One . . . Living

Chapter One . . . Living

Karen's POV

(Present Day)

"Okay so which one looks better on me, the black or the red?" I held up the two dresses in front of a clearly bored and agitated Garrett who sat on the bed playing with a piece of lint on his Pokemon PJ bottoms.

"Really?" He asked raising both eyebrows.

"Humor me Garrett please!" I begged and he sighed before pointing to the red one.

"Are you sure?" I asked making him groan.

"Yes mom I'm positive." He assured me. I nodded.

"Thank you baby." I said before throwing the red one in the closet and going for the black one. I held it up against my robe covered body and examined myself in the mirror.

"Mom, why do you even ask for my opinion?" He asked before throwing himself back on the matress and looking up at the ceiling almost like he was desperately trying to get kidnapped by aliens.

"Okay Garrett, I know you are not happy about me going out on this date because trust me honey I'm not happy about it either, but just help me out so I won't have to do this ever again." He sighed as I sat on the bed.

"It's not that I'm not happy that you are finally getting out of this house-" I rolled my eyes at his exaggeration. "but you are going out with my gym teacher and it's clear that you don't even want to go!" He threw his arm over his face covering his eyes in the crook of his elbow.

"Garrett, it's really hard for me to explain, but I'm about as happy about this as you are."

You're probably wondering how I got myself into...well this mess. I more or less lost a bet with Garrett's gym teacher, Mr. Ramsey when I was picking up Garrett from school one day. All the kids were outside playing dodgeball and I watched and waited for the end of the day bell to ring, but before I did I was unknowingly 'challenged' against this gym teacher and now I am forced to go out with the asshole. So, yeah that's my story of how I got stuck in this stupid date. As you can see I'm not angry about it.

"Okay, well at least tell me I get to stay home alone." He looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"Garrett-"

"Oh come on mom! I'm going to be ten I can stay home by myself." I sighed.

"I just don't feel comfortable with you home by yourself." I said truthfully.  He ignored me, which in a way I didn't blame him.

Garrett was a good boy, he is responsible and smart, everything a mother could ever want out of my soon-to-be ten year old, but I just couldn't do it.

"Hey, come on Garrett, be a champ and sit up and look at me." He glumly did as he was told. I gently laid my palms against both of his cheeks. "I trust you, and I love you, but sometimes I get scared for you. All I want is to protect you and I forget that you are becoming a young man and you can most likely take care of yourself, but as your mother I'm not willing to accept that. So, can you please just help me out. This night is probably going to end badly and I would like to enjoy my free meal without worrying about you." He giggled at that last part and nodded.

"Alright mom, but one day I'm going to be able to watch myself." I nodded sadly in agreement.

"Do I ever tell you how much I love you?" He rolled his eyes.

"Only everyday of my life, but I love you too." I kissed his head then jumped off the bed and headed to the closet to get dressed.

"Hey mom?" Garrett called from the bedroom.