Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
I pulled out my journal and read through the notes I’d taken in my World Literature class while I picked at the muffin. My phone was on silent, but it vibrated with an incoming call. For a moment, I hoped it was Lucas, even though he usually texted. Things had been a little weird between us since the awful way movie night had ended. Things were a little better on Saturday, but then he’d found out that Jayden and I were going to Kyle’s game. So yeah, things had been a bit tense.
But it wasn’t Lucas. The screen showed it was a call from my mom.
I debated letting it go to voicemail, but just before it did, I answered it. “Hi, Mom.”
I stood up, ready to take the call out in the hallway so as not to disturb anyone, but Mia caught my eye. She gestured to the empty café and indicated that I could just stay, so I did. It would probably be a short phone call. We didn’t have a ton to talk about these days.
Mom asked about my classes. Asked how Hailey was, whom I’d mentioned before. She didn’t ask where I was living, and I didn’t volunteer the information. She probably thought I was still sharing a house with Todd, but she didn’t ask about him, thankfully.
“Are you coming home for Thanksgiving, Tori?”
“Of course.” Macon was about a three-hour drive. Once you got out of the mountains, it was easy.
“Good. I’m really looking forward to seeing you, sweetie. And so is Doug.”
My stomach dropped almost before I could process the words. “Doug?”
“Yes, he asked about you.”
“A-are you back together?”
“Yes!” Mom said as if it was the best news. “And I know what you’re thinking but honestly, Tor, it’s different this time. He’s changed.”
“Men like him don’t change.”
“Oh, but he has. He missed me, so he really put in the work. He brought me flowers, and he took me to that Greek restaurant, the one you like, and he—”
“Mom, please think about this.” I rested my elbow on the table and propped my head up with my hand. “He’s always nice in the beginning. You know that. But then it gets bad.”
“It’s not like that this time. He’s changed! I wish you could believe me, honey.”
“I wish I could, too.”
“Please, say you’re happy for me.”
I rubbed my eye with the heel of my hand. “I can’t tell you that, Mom.”
“Please?”
“I want you to be happy.” That was the best I could do, but she didn’t seem to notice how I’d changed up the words.
“Thank you! Doug will be so pleased to know you’re happy for us.”
“No, Mom, that’s not what I—”
“Just wait until Thanksgiving, and you’ll see.”
A headache was rapidly forming. “Just… take care of yourself, okay?”
She sounded surprised. “I’ve got Doug now. He’ll take care of me. That’s a good thing, sweetie.”
“Mom, please just—”
“I have to go make his lunch. Good luck with your classes, sweetie.”
“Wait, Mom—”
But she was gone.
Shit.
How many times was she going to let that awful man back into her life? And how many times was I going to have to pick up the pieces in the end?
I still had my phone to my ear, and I shakily set it down. Then a tall glass of ice water appeared beside it. I looked up to see Mia’s blue eyes full of sympathy. “Thanks.”
The cold water soothed the dryness in my throat.
“Do you want to talk?” Mia asked gently.
This woman didn’t even know me, but she was being very kind. Jayden had good taste in friends.
“Thank you, but I’m good.” I pressed the cold glass against my forehead. “Does your mother drive you crazy?”
Mia leaned against the table, her white apron showing some coffee stains. “I barely remember her. But I’ve had five foster mothers, and yeah, most of them drove me crazy.”
“Oh. Sorry.” That had been thoughtless of me to say.
“It’s all right. You didn’t know.”
My blunder helped cut through some of my worry for my mother. “Thank you for the water. It helped.
She smiled. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No. But thank you.”
The phone call was on my mind all through my composition class. Usually, I paid extra attention to it because I knew I’d be tutoring Kyle later on the topics covered. But I just couldn’t concentrate.
And after class, I trudged down the stairs, stepped out into the sunlight… and saw Jayden leaning against a railing, waiting for me. Surprise made me stop in my tracks and stare at him. He had on a cream sweater with dark stripes. Underneath, the edge of a light blue button-down shirt peeked out. His jeans were dark and fitted, cuffed at the ankles, and those brown leather shoes—slightly worn but still nice—made him look put together in a way that most guys didn’t bother with.