Tears fill her eyes, which splits my heart in two. “Your father will get very upset.”
I delicately place my lips on her forehead. Pulling back and gripping her arms, I state, “I’ll deal with him. This isn’t your fight.”
“When it involves my kids, I’m always concerned,” she butts in firmly.
Nodding my head, I drop my hands and take a step back. “That’s what makes you the best mom. I just can’t do this right now.”
Understanding fills her eyes, and she pats my cheek. “Go, my love. I won’t keep you here unwillingly. You’re nineteen. You make your own choices now.”
As I make my way to the door, I grab my car keys. Every bone in my body immediately relaxes when I hear my car unlocking. A cool brush of wind passes through the air, rocking the tree branches. Inhaling deeply, I stride to where my car waits for me.
As I walk past the piece of land where I’ve made so many memories already, I can’t help but look over at her house. Is she feeling suffocated in the walls of the house she’s supposed to feel comfort in? I wish I could help her escape. But I don’t want to cause any more problems and make matters worse.
My feet halt suddenly when I spot a shadow. The curtain is pulled back, and there she is.
My rock star.
From the distance between us, I see a small smile lift across her face. Her delicate hand rises and waves at me. I want to run up to her house and give her a hug, repeatedly tell her I love her. But I need to get away. My body is tense with anger. The last thing I want is for her to see me like this.
Ripping my gaze from hers, which is extremely painful, I glance down to my feet and continue my steps to the car. Slamming the door behind me, I look through my rearview mirror and watch a frown appear on her face. She stares at my car, and then seconds later, she drops the curtain back in place. Leaving me watching a curtain sway at the sudden loss of contact.
Letting out a shaky breath, I slam my hand down onto the steering wheel hard. “Shit.” Pain immediately travels up my arm as I unclench my fist.
I upset her. I saw the confusion in her eyes. She probably thinks I’m mad at her. I’ll call her later and explainalmosteverything to her.
As I drive away from Trinity, I can’t help but think I’m driving away from what I’m trying to seek at this moment. My source of peace.
TWENTY-SEVEN
TRINITY
As my hand drops the curtain back in place, I immediately frown while dread fills my stomach. I know Leonidas has anger issues. I saw the way his tense body walked over toward his car and only stopped when he spotted me. I’ve seen the way his eyes flare with anger when he’s deep in thought.
I know he struggles a lot, so I don’t push him to tell me anything. I know how difficult it can be when people pry. They make you feel like an animal, like they need to stand back with their hands extended just in case you attack.
This is the first time he’s been cold with me since he asked me out. I rack my brain for something that I must have done to him, but I come up with nothing. He must be having an off day. It’s best if I leave him alone and give him the space I know he needs.
Walking over to my bed, I stare down at my fuzzy, colorful socks that I got last Christmas from Harper. As I pull my sheets over my body, I pat Simba’s furry head once he lays it on my legs.
“Hey, boy,” I say, looking down at him. “Bad day?” I ask softly, knowing he won’t answer because he’s a dog. “Me too, bud,” I reply when he sinks his head into my palm.
Glancing at my nightstand beside my bed, my eyes land on the book Leonidas got me. I haven’t opened it since the night I finished the first five chapters. I’m tired of waiting for him to finish. Picking up the book, I run my fingertip over the dark apple.
I’m sure Leonidas wouldn’t mind if I moved on to another chapter. I have nothing better to do anyway since I’m grounded.
Placing a finger to my lips, I shush Simba. “He’ll never know.”
Opening the book, I sit back and start where I left off.
* * *
It’s been two hours, and I’m halfway done with the book. I know I should have stopped at chapter six, but reading for five minutes did nothing for me. My fingers were anxiously flipping the pages as I got lost in the world of vampires and werewolves. The number of times I felt the need to throw this book across the room and scream in my pillow is endless.
I’m Team Edward, definitely not Jacob. The kid annoys me. He’s so clingy. I shiver at the thought of Leonidas being clingy. I’m glad he understands that when two people date, it doesn’t mean they need to be with one another all the time. Don’t get me wrong; I love spending time with Leonidas. He’s becoming my favorite person. However, sometimes, I feel like I need to be left alone. I want to cuddle in my bed alone with Simba at my hip.
A knock sounds on my door. Placing my macrame bookmark in my book, I rest it on my bed and wait for the person to come in. Obviously, it’s just my mom. Who else would it be since I’m grounded?
She steps into the room and closes the door softly behind her. As she leans her body against it, her eyes roam around.
