She had slipped into a fresh pair of satin pajamas, the soft fabric clinging to her curves in a way that made my breath catch. I grabbed a pair of flannel sleep pants and a black T-shirt, quickly changing as the quiet of the house wrapped around us.
Just as we pulled the covers up and settled into the bed, a loudclickechoed through the house. Before I could react, a piercing voice rang out, shrill and demanding.
“Jacob!”
45
charlie
My mother was here.
“Jacob. You were supposed to come and help with the pies tonight. Where are you?”
I turned to Austin and whispered, “My mom. She’s here.”
I was frozen, stuck in place. My chest tightened, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
He nodded, calm and collected, while I felt like I was unraveling. I grabbed a sweatshirt from my bag and threw it over my pajamas, my hands trembling as I fumbled with it.
“This won’t do,” I muttered, staring down at myself like it would make me vanish.
Before I could say anything else, Austin was moving. He strode toward the door and opened it, stepping into the hallway. I stayed frozen, my heart pounding as I strained to hear.
“Hi, I’m a friend of Jacob’s,” Austin said smoothly.
There was a pause, and then my mother’s sharp reply. “Where is he?”
“He’s not here,” Austin said, shutting the door behind him.
I heard her bark back, “Where is he?”
My heart raced as their voices faded slightly, Austin keeping her attention away from me. I tried to steady my breathing. Yetpanic clung to me, like I was a kid again, bracing for whatever she might say next.
“I don’t know who you are.” My mother started to yell inaudibly as panic continued to claw at my throat.
I didn’t want to see her, but she wasn’t letting up on Austin. I couldn’t let him face this alone. We were a team... together.
I sighed and grabbed the handle, opening it and walking down the hall to where my mom was yelling with her phone out.
“Mother,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
Austin swung around and stared at me. I gave him a quick, assuring nod. He stepped aside so I could face her.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Charlotte?”
I inwardly cringed at my first name.
Austin turned back to her. “Charlie, you mean?”
“No,” she snapped. “I very much meant Charlotte. That is my daughter’s name.”
“Well, actually?—”
I was already moving, reaching him quickly and gripping his shoulders.
“Mom. This is my husband, Austin Hart.”
