“I don’t need to heal,” I say quickly, too quickly.
She turns and cups my face with both hands, staring into my eyes with all the knowledge and compassion I have missed. I love my mum, and avoiding her has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
I swallow hard and look away, unable to hold her steady gaze, sure she can see straight through all my omissions and avoidance tactics. How angry would she be with me if she knew the truth?
“You are home, and this is your safe place. This is a distraction and a chance for you to have some fun and get back in touch with your roots. To remember who you are.”
“Who am I?” I ask in confusion as she lets me go.
“You’re a Sol,” she says with a smile. “You’re a Sunshine Cove omega.”
It’s been a long time since anyone called me that. My road has taken me a long way from the idealistic young omega I left behind.
I try to smile. “I don’t feel like it anymore.”
“Which is why you need to go out and live again.”
Is it really that simple?
She turns back to the room, opening a cupboard and pulling out a pink off-the-shoulder top.
“Wear this today.”
“It’s pretty, but that’s not mine,” I protest, not wanting to ruin someone else’s clothing.
“Yes, it is. I saw it and bought it for you a few weeks ago.” Mum puts it on the bed and shuffles away.
“You didn’t know I’d be back, though,” I protest.
“A mother always knows.”
I decide to stop arguing with her because half of me was always convinced my mother had some sort of special sensory ability when it came to us kids. There is no arguing with her.
“Where’s Danger?”
“Oh, he’s such a little darling. Elijah took him down to the beach for some exercise.”
“Eli?” I murmur, and my body flashes to boiling as I remember his near-naked body pressed up against mine. My mouth waters as my cheeks get hot. He’s changed, too; they all have. I suck in air and fan my cheeks.
Mum looks up and away before I can ask her what that look was. “Yes, Elijah. He’s such a sweet boy. He works with your pops at Be Seaing You now, has done for almost three and a half years.”
WHAT? Why are they all encroaching on my life, and why didn’t anyone tell me? I bite the inside of my cheek to smother a scream of frustration and then bounce onto the bed on my knees, crossing so I’m right behind Mum as she searches the tall boy.
“So, Elijah works for Pops and lives here?”
“Temporary. They are leaving in a few days,” Mum says distractedly.
“Why are they in my room again?” I say in a voice that is way too high.
“Because it was clean and free, and I thought it would be the best spot to put them.”
I rush towards her and grip her forearm. “Mum, did you,” I swallow hard, “move my stuff out?”
“Of course, I did.”
I slump with relief and climb off the bed so I’m standing beside her.
“Well, everything except your desk and that cute little pin-up board.”
