Keep To The Script (Complete)

~ Chapter 14 ~

“Wait,” Angel started but the other woman just shook her head.

“Save it. You have never been so disrespectful before, I have no idea why you thought this would be okay, but it’s not. Now turn tail and take her somewhere else; she will not be dining here, no matter how beautiful she looks.” The woman took a deep breath like she was ready to launch into another tirade and Judith was tempted to turn around and run back to the car. Whomever this woman was, was doing a damn good job of freaking her out. “I raised you better than that. And you know Feliz and Lupe too well to pull a dumb ass stunt like this.” Wait, did she say, ‘raised him’? This woman, this gorgeous younger-looking woman, could not be his mother? Why Judith felt she looked older than this woman!

“Mom,” Angel started again, but she cut him off with a wave of the hand and a hard glint in her eye.

“Get your ass out of here, mijo, now. Or I will tell your dad and you are not too old for that man to take you over his knee!”

“Mrs. Morales,” Judith started and almost gulped at the glare the woman turned on her.

“Oh, she has manners, that’s fine, you’re still a two-bit hussy. What part of leave are you not getting?”

“Mother, this is Judith!” The woman snapped her spine straight and then looked at her son before looking at Judith.

“No, you’re too pretty and too young to be that writer that he loves,” she said, shaking her head and Judith blushed under the compliment.

“I thank you, but I’m JD Queen, it’s an honor to meet you,” Judith said, holding her hand out for the other woman to take.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Queen, that was so rude of me,” she said, shaking Judith’s hand who only shook her head.

“No need. It’s nice to know that I’m the first guest of Angel’s.”

“Well, you should be, Angel knows better than to bring whatever flavor of the week here. I’m Rosie, it’s a pleasure. Please, let me seat you. Feliz and Lupe are practically family to us and would love to see Angel and meet you,” she said, walking them toward the back. Judith followed the woman, but she couldn’t help but cast a glance at Angel, wondering about his thoughts at this moment. Honestly, after the initial scare, she wanted to go somewhere and laugh.

His mother reminded her so much of her own. They were the type to not put up with any s**t, no matter where that s**t was coming from, and it was good to see. In that woman, she saw how he would always be humble because she would never let him get a huge ego. And if her comment held any truth, neither would his dad. Those were awesome parents in her eyes, even if she was scared shitless.

“Thank you, mom,” Angel said, brushing a kiss across his mother’s cheek before holding out the chair for Judith to sit down in. “Please stay and join us,” Angel said, walking over to another chair to pull it out.

“Oh, no mijo, I don’t want to intrude. I think I’ve done enough damage already.”

“Please, stay Mrs. Morales, I’d love for you to join us and talk some more. Maybe you can give me some of the embarrassing details about your son,” Judith told her, eyeing Angel but she couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. Sure, she didn’t want to meet his family, but it sure seemed like fate was having its own agenda and she didn’t want to stop it. It was moving the road that she wanted to tread slowly a little faster than she’d like, but she just has to sit back and deal.

“I’m not all too sure Angel would care for that, Judith. But,” the older woman said, looking at her son who just shook his head in response, “I do a lot of things that my son doesn’t like. Did he tell you what a big fan of yours he is?”

“He did mention that a time or two. I find it odd that a man would enjoy romance stories though.”

“Oh please, don’t think twice about it. Angel here was wooing the ladies based upon those books. He always expressed they gave better advice than any other male or some magazine. I swear, when he was in high school, I had many sleepless nights wondering if he would end up getting some girl pregnant from all the other girls in school he was chasing!”

“Mom,” Angel said, shaking his head once more.

“Oh stop, it’s no worries, Angel. You might have gotten wiser over the years about whom you chased, but I have no doubt there is a list of broken hearts that trail behind you,” Judith told him, slapping his arm that was resting on the table. “So, he was a little open with his affections in high school?”

“Somewhat. It was funny, we all thought it was a phase when he started his freshman year. One of the ladies he was crushing on was a senior. We all told him not to try someone so much older, but he didn’t listen. He did date her, at least for a few months. It ended right before prom, where she said a freshman couldn’t go. He stuck to ladies his own age until he got older.”

“So, he’s always had a thing for older women?” She wasn’t sure why she was asking when Angel had already told her such. Maybe she was just confirming for herself. After all, no matter what secrets we tend to hide, our parents know us the best and know some of those dark, deep secrets.

“Yes.” Rosie stopped and glanced between the two, a smile forming. “He is treating you right?” Judith ducked her head at that, fighting the blush.

“She’s a slow one mom, making me work for it.” Rosie tilted her head as she turned her attention back to Judith.

“That’s a smart woman, Angel, not giving in to you right away.” Rosie turned her head as someone called her over and she stood up. “I look forward to talking to you more, Judith. You seem like good people and my son needs good people in life, especially in the world that is show biz.” The woman smiled at her, and she smiled back, her cheeks even more on fire.

She wasn’t the type of woman who regretted her actions, at least for the most part. But for his mom to say such things to her when she wasn’t exactly the nicest or most open, cut her. Angel was the one who was good people, not her. She should be looking at her son like that.

“She likes you,” Angel said, looking over the menu at her. “Not just because I’ve talked about you, but because she generally does. It’s a hard road, show business and limelights, and my mom doesn’t talk openly to many people, always scared something will get reported and tossed around. For her to be so forthcoming with you, she’s comfortable with you.”

“Age could have something to do with, Angel,” Judith told him. She didn’t want to focus on why his words meant so much to her, or why getting along with the woman seemed like a big deal. After all, she kept telling herself this couldn’t possibly be for the long term.

“What do you mean age has something to do with it? Do you think she likes you simply because you’re older, closer to her age? Trust me, JD, that’s not even on the list of reasons.” Angel leaned forward on the table and stared at her, a hint of laughter and devilry in his eyes. “My mom has met any lady that’s special to me, not that it’s a long list, I’ve been honest with you. But I’ve never seen her take with anyone like she’s taken with you. She’s never been so open and honest right away with anyone, and it has nothing to do with the location either, just because she’s comfortable here. My mom is a lion, ready to pounce on anyone who is with her kids, trust me, I’ve seen it, so she felt something with you for her to just be like that.” Judith twisted her lip as she stared at him. She wanted to believe him, no, she did actually believe me. His mom was awesome and funny, and she really did want to talk to her again. She was looking forward to a second meeting and she was still reeling from the first one. “You’re thinking.”

“It’s new to me, Angel. Your mom was sweet, defending you like she was, and she has to be. Then to sit down and talk to me like an old friend.”

“There you have it, you even see it,” he told her, taking her hand. “Don’t question it, I don’t.”

“She’s your mom, I highly doubt you would question it.” She glanced down at their hands, noticing the trail of goosebumps along her arm. This was driving her mad, her reactions to him.

“Stop sweating the small stuff,” he told her, bringing her hand up to his lips. “Otherwise, this slow road you want to take us on, is going to drive you crazy with all kinds of thoughts, and I’m going to say that’s very unhealthy.” Again, he brushed his lips over her knuckles, and she felt the shiver down to her toes.

How the hell did he keep doing this to her? Catching her off guard, making her long for more? Better yet how was she so powerless to stop it? Not that she was sure she wanted to. No, in fact, if she was ever being honest with herself, little things like this, she was craving more and more of, and was questioning if that was good or not.