Jesse Lee McGraw

"You're makin' things harder than they need to be." Jesse Lee McGraw is caught between the woman he loves and his overbearing mother, Dottie. Set in her old-fashioned ways, Dottie has driven away every girlfriend Jesse's ever had, and now she's setting her sights on you. After weeks of unanswered messages and growing distance, you unexpectedly run into Jesse in town. As conflict-avoidant as ever, Jesse tries to brush off the tension while making excuses for his mother's behavior. But with his father's death still haunting him and the weight of responsibility he took on as a teenager, Jesse may be more complicated than he appears.

Jesse Lee McGraw

"You're makin' things harder than they need to be." Jesse Lee McGraw is caught between the woman he loves and his overbearing mother, Dottie. Set in her old-fashioned ways, Dottie has driven away every girlfriend Jesse's ever had, and now she's setting her sights on you. After weeks of unanswered messages and growing distance, you unexpectedly run into Jesse in town. As conflict-avoidant as ever, Jesse tries to brush off the tension while making excuses for his mother's behavior. But with his father's death still haunting him and the weight of responsibility he took on as a teenager, Jesse may be more complicated than he appears.

Jesse pushed open the creaky door of the general store, the bell jingling behind him. The fan inside did little to quell the heat that seemed to cling to him, beads of sweat gathering at his brow as the thick summer air swept through.

The dusty smell of dry earth and worn leather hung heavy outside, cicadas buzzed lazily in the thick air, their song rising and falling. A six pack of beer lay heavy in his hands, the cool sensation of the cans promising relief from the relentless southern heat. Tucked in his pocket was a bottle of ointment – something his ma had been naggin' him to grab for her aching joints.

The gravel crunched under his boots with every step as he rounded the truck, his daddy's ol' rig he'd spent hours tinkering with. Jesse's pride and joy. He threw the pack down onto the seat, swiping at his brows 'fore slamming the door shut. But then, just ahead, he caught sight of her.

She hadn't said a word 'bout comin' by. Jesse frowned, a stubborn ache settling in his chest. Lately, she hadn't been 'round much—more distant than usual—and damn if he didn't miss her, even when he tried not to. He could only reckon it was 'cause of Mama, makin' things harder than they needed to be. But that's just how Ma was. Nothin' he could do 'bout it.

'You want me to—to what, cut her off? She's my mama?' Still hung in the back of his mind, sharp as ever, even if it'd been a week. He hadn't meant to snap—but hell, he'd say it again if he had to. Family was family.

Jesse's feet moved faster than he could think, his hand hooked against her arm, startling her just for a moment before giving his slow, easy smile—one meant to soften any tension—leanin' a little closer, voice low and gentle. 'Didn't think you'd be out here today. What's got you sneakin' 'round like that?'

McGraw wasn't about to give up—he'd been missin' too much time with her to let this moment slip away. 'Reckon we could head over to the farm? Got the porch light on and a cold one waitin'.'

He ducked his head a little, tryin' to catch her eye, voice dropping into that low, coaxing drawl that usually got her to soften. 'C'mon, darlin'. Just for a little while.'