“Oh, yeah, that’s me,” Rusty agreed and began demonstrating that particular skill.
Jonathan pretended to be suddenly fascinated by an invisible crack in the ceiling. His mom didn’t seem taken aback by Rusty’s antics, however.
“Can you also sing?” Francine asked, examining Maddox with interest. Then, turning toward Rusty. “Not that you can, dear. There’s a mountain to climb until you get anywhere near that destination.”
Jonathan considered it a good moment to interrupt. “Mom, Rusty has a wonderful voice.”
Francine smiled, all-knowingly. “A so-called diamond in the rough has no value and no room to be displayed for people to see. It needs a lot of work first.”
Jonathan groaned. “That was a compliment, Rusty, trust me.”
“Taken,” Rusty agreed, with one hand up, after giving up on forcing his tongue out and up toward the tip of his nose.
“Tea is served, madam,” Mr. Simmons intervened.
“Can I skip the tea?” Rusty asked, with his hand still up.
“No. Simmons, I’m sure, bent over backwards to make it,” Francine said in an airy tone.
Hmm, Jonathan thought as he examined his mom briefly. That was a joke, which meant she was pleased.
“Don’t stand over there, come sit here,” she ordered Rusty, who had no choice but to obey the order and walk around the couch to sit by her side.
She said nothing while she poured each one a cup and handed the tea around. Rusty sniffed his cup and made a face but smiled broadly right away. “Smells like rich people’s tea,” he said.
Jonathan grinned and watched his mother’s reaction. Francine, however, seemed perfectly undisturbed, as if she was accustomed to treating college kids to tea every day. “So,” she started, “what are your intentions with my Jonathan, Maddox?”
“They’re of the best kind,” Maddox replied, without flinching.
“Mom, let’s not make this awkward. Don’t interrogate Maddox like this.”
“Ah, I see. What do you two have to hide?”
“Nothing,” Jonathan said defensively. She was an expert at dragging defensiveness out of him. Now, it seemed as if there was something to hide.
“Mrs. Hamilton–” Maddox began.
“Francine, please. No need for formalities since you’re interested in becoming one of us.”
“Mother,” Jonathan said a bit more pointedly to draw her attention.
“Maddox and Jonathan did it,” Rusty blurted out while fidgeting nervously in his place. “I mean, they’re in love and all that. I can sing at the wedding.”
The strange outburst from Rusty seemed enough to redirect the eye of Sauron. Francine turned toward the troublemaker. “You’ll sing at the wedding if I approve.”
“Maddox is just my boyfriend,” Jonathan decided that he needed to get the conversation back on a normal track. “Let’s not jump the shark here, all right?”
“Ah, and I thought this impromptu visit had a somewhat romantic reason behind it,” Francine said and sipped from her cup.
“We’re too young for that, don’t you think?” Jonathan hurried to say.
“So, romance is for old people nowadays?” Francine asked.
“We’re practical people,” Maddox intervened. “First, we need to finish our studies.”
“I see,” Francine said.
“And get jobs,” Maddox added. “And get to know each other a bit more.”
“So, you’re not sure,” Francine concluded. “That means that Jonathan can remain open to other prospects.”
Jonathan leaned forward, ready to contradict his mother, but Maddox was faster. “I’m completely sure. I just wanted you to know I’m responsible. But, heck, I guess there’s no point in hiding it. I’m here so that we can announce our engagement.”
That bombshell seemed enough to render his mother speechless for a moment. “Engagement? When did this happen?” Her inquisitive eyes rested on Jonathan again.
“It didn’t,” Jonathan decided to stop the madness. His mom and Maddox were like two poker players trying to bluff each other out of the hand. “We’re taking things as they come. I assure you that I’m not interested in other prospects,” he said the word and a tiny scoff for good measure, “and that Maddox is the one and only for me.”
“Same here, not in so many words,” Maddox chimed in.
“Can I sing at the engagement party?” Rusty intervened with a question of his own.
Good thing his dad walked in at that very moment. Usually, it wasn’t the kind of thing Jonathan was looking forward to, but his mom needed to be stopped somehow.
***
Maddox tried to maintain a reassuring smile the entire time, especially when Jonathan was looking at him, but on the inside, he was wound tight as a spring. Jonathan’s mom was a tough cookie, for sure, examining him with those unnerving eyes that looked exactly like his boyfriend’s. It was clear as day for anyone who looked that Jonathan took after her. The same aristocratic nose, the same slight frown, were shared by both mother and son, only softer in her. However, while Jonathan had a certain wariness he carried like a cloak, Francine Hamilton was the picture of self-assurance.
Therefore, he had no idea if he was even ready to meet Mr. Hamilton, now that he had met his wife. If she was a force to be reckoned with, how much of a hard-ass was he?
No time like the present to face his future in-laws, it seemed, because the doors opened, admitting a man in his fifties with a sour expression on his face. While his shoulders were stooped by age, he had a commanding presence, and Maddox could totally see where Jonathan picked up some of his mannerisms.
“We have guests, my dear,” Francine said in a suave tone, offering Maddox a sly smile.
Oh, so now she was eagerly waiting to see how he would fare against the big boss. Well, he was ready, as much as that mattered. Without waiting for another cue, he jumped to his feet and hurried toward Mr. Hamilton with his arm extended. “I’m Maddox Kingsley, sir, Jonathan’s–”
“Boyfriend,” Mr. Hamilton completed his sentence and shook his hand very briefly. “Of your friend,” he gestured vaguely at Rusty, “I’m already aware.”
Rusty grimaced like a kid caught doing something frowned upon and put his cup on the saucer on the table using both hands with infinite, comical, care.
Mr. Hamilton sat opposite him, which gave Maddox free rein to watch his opponent’s every move. Jonathan was the only one still standing, and it didn’t look like his parents were bothered by that in the least.
“Have you seen the Kincaids out, dear?” Francine asked and sipped her tea. Rusty was watching her with disturbing intensity. Maddox barely kept himself from leaning over and slapping his friend upside the head. After all, he had dragged Rusty there, and Rusty was Rusty, regardless of circumstances. Something told him that it would do the Hamiltons a bit of good to see someone so out of their social circle drinking tea in their giant living room.
“Of course,” Mr. Hamilton replied, his eyes never leaving Maddox. Maybe the man expected him to squirm under that scrutinizing gaze. No luck there, though. Maddox was sure he was the picture of chillaxation, without looking too loose-limbed. “They were disappointed that they didn’t have a proper chance to say goodbye. To you and Jonathan.” For a fraction of a second, Mr. Hamilton turned his hawk-like eyes to his son.