I stared at the floor, shaking my head, but he didn’t stop.
“You used to be that guy. Clubs, blackouts, getting fucked up every weekend. Now? You’re at farmers’ markets and having movie marathons.”
A laugh escaped me, short and dry. “Those marathons? Mostly just excuses to stay home with Charlie.”
And fuck her.I wanted to add that, but I kept that little piece of information to myself.
“Whatever, man. My point still stands. You’ve changed. The fact that you’re scared proves it. If you didn’t care, I’d be worried.”
I sat back and exhaled slowly. “Yeah,” I muttered. “Maybe.” I needed to distract myself. “What about you and Luna? You back together?”
He shook his head, his expression unreadable. “No. It’s complicated.”
“Is Jer here?”
Dirks shrugged, leaning back. “I haven’t seen him.”
I nodded. I couldn’t process Jeremy’s return. I picked up the glass of soda Dirks had given me, swirling the liquid absentmindedly, watching the bubbles rise to the surface. My gaze drifted to the skyline visible through the massive windows of his apartment, but my thoughts were far away. Scarlette. Charlie.
Something shifted in the back of my mind, a small voice whispering the thing I’d been avoiding: I needed to talk to my mom.
The thought came slowly, threading itself through the chaos in my mind. If anyone could help me untangle this mess—help me face my fears—it was her. She’d seen me at my worst, dragged me out of it more than once, and if anyone could guide me through this, it was her. And Ledger. He’d know what to say, even if he’d deliver it with his usual bluntness.
I set the glass down and looked at Dirks. “I need to head out.”
He nodded. “You good?”
“I will be. I need to talk to my mom.”
Dirks gave me a small, understanding smile. “That’s a good move. Just... don’t beat yourself up too much, okay? You’re figuring it out. Call me later?”
I nodded, standing slowly and grabbing my jacket. “I will. Thanks, man.”
Dirks just waved me off, and I headed out the door.
Before pulling out of Dirks’s parking lot, I shot a quick text to Ledger.
Me: Can you meet me at Mom’s café in an hour?
I stared at the screen for a second before hitting send. The café would be closed by the time I got there, and Evie was stillwith her sitter for today, so it was perfect timing. I took a deep breath, put my phone down, and started the car. It was time to deal with this head-on.
My mom’s café was like a reflection of her personality—eclectic, cozy, and full of unexpected charm. The walls were painted in soft, inviting colors, adorned with mismatched art and handwritten chalkboard menus. She always had a seasonal drink on offer, and the place smelled like whatever flavor was featured that month.
When I pulled up, I could see her through the window, wiping down the counters. Ledger stood behind the counter, already helping himself to coffee. The shop was closed, and the chairs were stacked on the tables.
I knocked on the glass, and Ledger glanced up, smiling as he came over to unlock the door. “Hey, you,” he said, pulling it open and stepping aside to let me in.
The moment I walked in, the aroma of gingerbread hit me.
“Mom’s seasonal special?” I asked, nodding toward the coffee in his hand.
“Always,” he said with a grin.
I forced a small smile as I fully stepped inside, the weight of why I was here pressing down on me again.
My mom glanced up from the counter, wiping her hands on a towel, her expression softening the moment she saw me. She dropped the towel and ran toward me. Before I could say a word, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug.
“Are you doing okay?”
