“Daunting.”
“In a good way?” she prompts hopefully.
“I think so.” I move to the windows and flick the latches, shoving them open to let in some fresh air. “I’m excited to bring the ideas I have to life.”
“Just don’t overextend yourself,” Mom warns.
“That’s what Devon said.” I FaceTimed my brother the minute I finalized the sale papers, hoping he would share my enthusiasm.
My brother merely reminded me how alike Dad he’s become since he joined the Corps. Also confirmed that my father hasn’t run his mouth to anyone about my alter ego, either, or I doubt Devon would have taken my call.
Mom wanders through to the kitchen and tests the tap. “The electric is on?”
“Yeah.” I push a box of my belongings toward the side of the stairs with my foot. “The wiring will need an upgrade sometime soon, but it’s safe for now.”
“That’s good.” She opens the oven door to look inside and promptly closes it with a frown. “How do you plan to cook?”
“The cooktop works, and I have an air fryer.”
“Good.” She turns to survey the space with a deep breath. “I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
“When you can visit.”
She spears me with a withering look. “Your father’s that busy with work, I could be here every day, and he’d never know.”
“Until his neighborhood spies said something,” I mutter, flicking the flap on a box to remind myself what’s inside. So much of my stuff has been in Mom and Dad’s garage since I got back, and my memories of what I kept and what I gave away are fading. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come to the appointment with you?”
I managed to secure Mom a consultation with a pain specialist next week. Cost a pretty penny to get a long consult at such short notice, but it’s money well spent. I’d do it ten times over if it eased her days just a little.
“I’m sure.” She lifts a canvas bag stuffed with bedding. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help you set some things up?”
“No.” I stare at the bag in her hands. “The furniture won’t arrive until tomorrow, and I’m keeping things to a minimum until I’ve painted and fixed the floors. I’ll probably shove most of this in that weird room off the laundry until the majority of the work is done.”
“I suppose that’s practical.” She stares through the door to my bedroom and out the side window. “At least your garden will provide plenty of blooms in summer to brighten the place.”
“Yeah,” I say halfheartedly. I suppose it will.
She crosses to where I stand, frozen in contemplation, and places a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I’m kind of looking forward to the time alone, even if I’m a little apprehensive after the incident with the Devil’s Breed.
They don’t know where I live—at least, I don’t think they do. I’ll be fine.I am fine.
I listen for Mom’s car leaving as I stare up at the ceiling again, imagining how it’ll look when I’m finished. No contractors are willing to start until the New Year, so for now, it’ll be me and the giant trip hazard in what will become my office when it’s repaired. The house was clearly neglected. Forgotten and forlorn are the words that spring to mind when I cast my eye over the stained and peeling wallpaper.
But I know how to fix broken things. I was one once.
Given the weight in my chest where my love for life should be, I think I might be one again.
I don’t know what I expected from Jinx by confronting him about his issue, but radio silence wasn’t it. I left the ball in his court, but it feels as though he’s left the game entirely.
And as much as I chastise myself for the negative self-talk, I can’t ignore the worry that maybe it’s justmylove that’s not enough for him to face it.
Maybe he’d fight for someone else. Someone like that lawyer.
Not a slightly overweight, average-looking daughter of a small-town Sheriff.
Snap out of it, girl.Self-loathing leads to obsessing over the solution, and the solutions have historically never been healthy.
