I rub my forehead, a miserable groan burning my throat. “That makes two of us.” Was he trying to find me? God, I hope he wasn’t headed to a match. I don’t know what my dad would do if he caught him, but it wouldn’t be good.
Finally putting the phone to my ear, way too eager and slightly nervous about hearing the ones from Joshua, I listen to my messages.
“First message. Today, at 10:16 a.m.”
“Blues McGoose! Answer your phone!” Benji chuckles, the sound lazy and tired. “Nah, just messing with you. But seriously, you should answer your phone. Your mom stopped by the cottage at the butt crack of dawn, said something about flying out to see you.” I let out a little squeal, and my heart thrums with excitement. To see my mom right now ... if anyone can make me feel better, it’s her. “Wanted to give you a heads-up though because she seemed a little different or something. I dunno. Oh, and she left me something for—”
KNOCK, KNOCK.
I drop the phone, bolting toward the door. Benji left that message at 10:16 a.m. Texas time, which would have been 8:16 a.m. in California. It’s after dinner now. Plenty of time for a three-hour flight, right?
Please be her, please be her.
When I pull the door open, an unexpected rush of tears well in my eyes.
My mom gives a slow, easy smile, but her blue eyes glitter with emotion beneath the sunlight. “My beautiful Blue.”
I throw my arms around her neck, almost knocking her backward with the force of my hug. She squeezes back just as hard.
“I missed you so much,” I mumble against her neck, tears falling freely down my cheeks. Everything that’s happened since moving here explodes in a firework of emotions in my chest—all of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.Unfortunately. I don’t want the bad or the ugly. I’ve never wanted them, and especially now. Sucking in a breath, I try hard to control that side of my thoughts. I refuse to water the negativity, not when my mom’s standing right in front of me.
And in mydad’shouse.
Wow. This is a day I never thought I’d see.
“Blue? Hey ...” Mom’s hands find my wet cheeks, and she gently angles my face in front of hers. Her eyes narrow as she inspects me. Not in a judgmental way—more like she’s trying to look deeper. “Happy tears?”
I let out a small laugh and nod.
“Good.” My mom smiles softly, wiping them away with her thumbs.
“Happy birthday. Did you get my voicemail? I mean, the first one?”
“Best birthday song ever.”
I laugh. “I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything though. I didn’t think I’d see you.”
She shakes her head. “Are you kidding? Being here with you is enough.”
My lips tremble, and a throat clears behind me. I look over my shoulder to find Kimmie watching us, brows raised.
Mom steps inside, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. “Kimmie, right?”
“Yep. The evil step-sister.” Her monotone statement matches the bored expression still on her face. “Not legally, of course. Just in spirit.”
Mom laughs, and I close the door. “She’s not evil.” Then, just for fun, I add, “We’re actually besties.”
“My bestie ditched me for another state.”
“She steals all my clothes, the more bohemian the better.”
“Nope.”
“Sometimes, on a full moon, she dances naked in the rain.”
“Fat chance.”
“She even bakes vegan cupcakes.”
