“Mom, can you stop with the third degree?” I grab Sully’s arm and tug him toward the couch. “How about we play a card game or something until Dad returns?”
Mom wipes her hands on her skirt and grabs Bishop’s leash. He hears it and bolts out of bed, running for the front door. “I should take the dog on a walk first. You kids stay here.”
Bishop happily pulls Mom outside and they’re gone in a whoosh.
“Do I want to know what happened in the kitchen?” Sully hooks his arm around my waist, forcing me to look at him.
“Same old thing. Mom hates my career choices. She doesn’t like that you’re a musician. Thinks I’m pissing away my life.” I shrug. “I’m used to it. How do you think I developed such a thick skin to deal with the horrible comments online?”
Sully presses his lips to my temple and it sends a buzzing through my brain. “Strangers online are always trying to bring down successful people, but mothers shouldn’t. She should be supportive no matter what you do.”
“Yeah.” I bristle and drift toward the rocking chair, wanting to sit alone. “It’s a long story. I hope when Dad returns with dinner it won’t be so awkward and if it is we’ll leave after we eat.”
Sully’s eyebrows push together in concern. “I don’t understand whyshe—”
I fold my legs to my chest and wrap my arms around them. “She’s old-fashioned in what my job should be and how I should live. Being a mermaid seems silly to her. She once told me if I’m not Ariel at Disneyland, how do I get paid at all.” I inspect the mole on my forearm to avoid seeing the sympathy in his eyes. “She probably thinks Alice pays most of the bills. Her mind would blow if she knew I paid for almost everything. Alice spends her tips on her ever-changing wardrobe or growing tattoo collection.” I drop my legs and lean forward, resting my elbows on my thighs.
Sully sits on the edge of the couch, his knees almost touching mine. “Why don’t you tell her? She’ll never know you’re able to pay your bills and support yourself without communication. It’s not easy, but once I told my mother about how our band got a record deal and what benefits came our way after that she didn’t worry…as much.”
“She never listens.” I stare at my hands with my head bowed. “I mean just now in the kitchen I tried and she shut me down. You can’t explain anything to a brick wall.”
“And now you clam up again for how long?”
My stomach sours knowing he’s right, but I can’t force myself to face Mom.
“She’s angry now. It would be useless to try—”
“All I hear are excuses to sweep this under the rug.”
I toe the carpet. “You’re supposed to be a rock star, not a therapist.” I lean back in the chair, covering my eyes with my arm.
His knee presses against mine. “You’re only mad because I’m right.”
“Can we ease into it? Maybe we should play a game just me and you. See if she takes the bait and then…”
He nods, standing up and offering me a hand. “See what happens from there.”
“Yeah…” I grab his hand, and it’s more like a lifeline dragging me out of a self-pity ocean. “What do you want to play?” I walk over to a wooden cabinet and open the doors, revealing shelves of board games and a few different card games.
Sully pauses to scan all the boxes. “I’m not familiar with a lot of these games, but…” He grabs a deck of playing cards. “I think everyone knows how to play gin.”
We sit on opposite sides of the coffee table. I rest my back against the couch as Sully folds his legs butterfly-style. Time slows while we play a couple of hands. When the front door opens and Bishop runs in, I jump a little. Sully smirks and draws a card.
Bishop bumps Sully with his golden head, wiping his wet nose all over his cheek. Sully laughs, petting the dog and trying to push him away so he doesn’t tower over him.
Mom hangs the leash on the wall hook and places her hands on her hips, watching us. “What’s this?”
“Dad isn’t back yet.” I don’t lift my gaze from the cards in my hand.
Sully clears his throat and nods toward Mom. Ugh, he’s not going to let this go.
“Do you want to join us? We’re playing gin.” Sully gestures to the table. “We can start a new game at the dining room table if—”
“That’s okay. I’m going to set the table.”
Sully is already on his feet, crossing the space to Mom in a heartbeat. “A short game? I’d love to get to know Veronica’s mother. I can see where she gets her lovely eyes.”
Mom blushes, swatting at the air between them. “Don’t flatter me.”
