“You’re really moving out.” His mother’s voice boomed loud and strident behind him, nearly making him drop the carton he was carrying.

Trev turned around. Damn. I was hoping to be gone before she got back. “I told you I was the other night at dinner.”

The less he had to think about that nightmare of a social occasion, the better. His brother was practically pathological with his need for attention. When Trev mentioned he had a girlfriend, Tanner interjected to talk about an impossible surgery he pulled off. Then Trev tried to tell the family that he was moving out, and Tanner announced that he and Amelia—his wife—had decided to try for another baby. Like, why did that need to be shared over spaghetti and meatballs? He could’ve lived without knowing they were focused on procreative sex.

“Dad and I thought you were joking. Tanner said—”

“I was entirely serious,” he interrupted, wedging the box in the back seat.

Mom followed as he went back down to continue loading the car. Good times. Now that he was leaving, she wanted to talk.

“I see that now. But is this a good idea? We haven’t met her, and you can’t have been dating long. It seems rash.”

Irritated, he stopped on the basement stairs. “How do you know?” he asked. “You and I haven’t had a real conversation in six months. I do the laundry when you chuck it down the stairs. You ignore me otherwise.”

Barb sucked in a sharp breath, pressing a hand to her sternum as if he’d hurt her. “That’s not fair. And it’s not true either.”

“Oh? What have we talked about? Apart from you telling me to get my act together.”

When she remained silent, he offered a wry smile and shook his head. “See? Nothing. I’m not attacking you, but facts are facts. Look on the bright side, you can build that party room and focus on Tanner. He’s proof you and Dad raised us right. I’m the problem, and I’m getting out of your way. Never thought you’d see the day, huh?”

“What’s your girlfriend like?” she asked in a small voice.

He took a ridiculous amount of pride in the answer. “Her name is Leanne. She’s smart and beautiful, and she works for the mayor.”

Barb’s eyes widened, visible even in the dim light filtering from the garage. “She sounds lovely. How did you meet?”

“Through mutual friends. We hit it off immediately.” Everything sounded so…normal when he explained it this way. He couldn’t resist bragging a little, so he got out his phone and pulled up the city website then clicked on Leanne’s page. There was a flattering headshot, along with a short bio about her early life, education, and professional experience. “This is her.”

He handed the phone to his mother, waiting for her reaction.