I laugh. “Is it so hard to believe?”
That makes her smile, and I nudge her with my elbow. “So, how do you rate them?”
“Eh,” she teases, taking another bite, speaking around a mouthful, “they’re alright.”
I’ve always treasured these moments with her when it’s just us and she’s smiling. They’re rare these days and tinged with sadness.
“So,” Mom starts, finishing off her pancakes. “Who’s the girl?”
“What girl?”
She puts her cutlery down. “You didn’t give the chef the morning off to cook breakfast for your mom.”
Good point.
“There’s no girl,” I insist, smiling despite myself. God, I’m getting sappy. I can’t help it.
Mom sets the plate aside and turns to face me with a gentle, knowing expression. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you smile like that.” She palms my cheek. “You deserve to be happy, Kane. That’s what every mother dreams of… to see her children happy.”
“Mom.” I’m choking up, struggling to speak through the thick lump in my throat. “Don’t speak like that.”
“Like what?” she asks quietly.
“Nothing.” I sniff, quickly wiping the wetness from the corners of my eyes, and smile. When I settle back against the headboard, Mom looks confused, so I pull her in with an arm around her shoulder.
“What are you doing? Don’t leave the poor girl waiting.”
“I’m not.” I tuck her beneath my chin. “I’ll go back soon. Just let me sit with you for a little while.”
What I don’t tell her is how terrified I am of leaving her alone… or how the silver scars that show through the sleeve ofher silk robe remind me that one day the darkness might win—and that’s a battle I can’t reach. No one can.
THIRTEEN
JESSICA
I’ve barely made it through the front door when Chris comes storming down the stairs, wearing his favorite cargo pants, a black T-shirt, and a furious look.
“Where the fuck have you been?”
He doesn’t usually pay attention to where I’ve been so I’m surprised he cares now.
“Out,” I reply, ready to go upstairs, take a shower, and change before visiting Mom. I’m still upset with myself for not stopping by yesterday, but there’s no point in dwelling on it now. What’s done is done and I’m tired of berating myself for still trying to live my life once in a while. Since Mom got sick I’ve put my life on hold, but the same can’t be said for Chris. He’s still out every night doing God knows what with fuck knows who and he still hasn’t visited Mom. So forgive me if I don’t want to listen to what he has to say.
“Answer me,” he growls, blocking my path. It’s annoying that he’s tall like our dad.
“It’s none of your business.”
The second those words leave my mouth I realize it was the wrong thing to say, but it’s too late now. The words are out and I can’t take them back.
Chris opens his mouth to reply, but his gaze catches on my neck instead. He looks like he’s about to kill as he yanks me closer by my arm and flips my hair away from my neck. I can only guess that Kane left behind a nice little branding for all to see.
Asshole. I swear I’m going to kill him the next time I see him.
“You spent the night with him?” His accusatory tone makes my cheeks flame.
I jerk away or at least try to. He’s got a steel grip on my arm and it hurts, but he’s too angry to notice.
“You fucked him?”
