“Well, that’s impossible,” she whispers.
I lift my eyes to hers as her voice cracks, finding tears welling in her eyes. “Why are you crying?” I ask.
“My dear girl, you have so much love, so much ambition and drive. I have told you a million times over how proud we all are of you, and you still don’t see it. You’re more than we could have ever hoped you to be. To see you happy and finally letting someone in—because you sure as hell never let me in,” she teases. “It just makes a mother very happy.”
“Mags.” I look to the ceiling trying to stop the tears.
Maggie has always been the mother I wished I had, and with that comes guilt.
“I know, I’m not helping. Get the laptop, darling. I will look up spaces for rent whilst you call the bank.”
I climb to my knees and lean down, cuddling her, feeling grateful to have a woman like her in my life.
We found nothing. Everything was either too expensive or not suitable and would need a ton of work. There are a couple of warehouses outside the city, but I know the girls won’t travel that far for rehearsals, and as of right now, I have no transport myself. We tried to find somewhere to hire on an hourly basis, but nothing is consistent—nothing that would work. Nothing that even comes close to my studio.
“I’ve set up an alert, so anything coming up for rent will pop up on my email. You should set it up on yours, too. In case I miss it.”
“Yeah, I will.” I drop my head back, defeated.
“We will find something. Don’t panic.”
“I’m not.” I smile sadly, feeling an ache in the back of my throat.
She lies back on the sofa next to me, a comfortable silence falling over us.
“Luce mentioned your mum may have kept money from a potential…” she hesitates, not knowing how to say it.
“Father,” I finish for her.
“Have you spoken to her?”
“No. I was waiting until after the showcase.”
She nods, looking back to the ceiling. “How do you feel about it?”
My phone starts to vibrate on the table, and I’m glad for the interruption. As much as I love Maggie and appreciate all she does for me, there is nothing I hate more than discussing Mum.
Mason’s name lights up my screen.
Finally.
“Hey.”
“Where are you?” he panics.
“I’m at Lucy’s parents’ house. I couldn’t get hold of you. Did you get my message?” My voice quivers and Maggie’s hand slips into mine. “Erin sold the studio.”
“Yeah, did she say why?” he asks.
“No. Maybe. I can’t remember; I was in shock. They changed the locks. Can they do that? I don’t even have my things from inside.”
“We will get your things. Send me the address, I’m on my way to get you now.”
Relief fills me, and I let out a breath. He’s all I need right now.
“I’ll text it over now. Thank you, Mase.”
Maggie stands, pulling me up with her. “He seems like a good egg. I’m pleased for you, but you know where we are.”
