“What? What is it?” He stepped closer, even though he didn’t have the time. And I didn’t want to hold him up long.
“Nothing. I’m worried about Dakota, that’s it.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Dakota? Why?”
“I…He’s been helping me with the doc. I know he had a rough time last year and with all this stuff… if he experienced any of this, it’ll probably trigger him.”
Kai’s eyes softened. “I see.”
I picked up my phone when I heard a buzz, but it was just a notification text from Mom, telling me she was nearly on campus.
“I’ll keep an eye out for him,” Kai offered. “And I’ll text you when I find him, okay? I’ll tell him to check in too.”
“Thanks.” I let out a shaky breath. Kai did something that was rare. He pulled me in for a side hug. It was brief but made me feel better.
“It’ll be fine, Emmy. Okay? He probably needs some space,” Kai assured.
“Yeah.” I nodded and watched him leave with a pit in my stomach. Because I didn’t think this was about space. Not when it came to Dakota. Something else was going on. Lawrence’s visit proved as much. I hoped my initial feelings were wrong but my gut finally felt aligned. I was right to worry.
“I’ve never seen you this distracted, Emelia.” Mom sat with her legs tucked under her on the couch. I’d set up the TV for her so she could stream something while I hurried around the house, trying to get ready. She wasn’t paying much attention to the TV, though.
“You’ve seen the stuff about Westbrooke’s football team in the news, right?” I paused in front of the mirror over the fireplace to apply my deep violet lipstick. My hands were shaking, nervous about Dakota still not calling me back. Kai wasn’t answering either. What was it with these guys and not being able to send a simple ‘I’m okay’ text? Was it that hard?
Mom sighed. “I have. It sounds awful.”
I turned back to her. She’d lost some weight since I’d last seen her. My mom knew how to make her brown skin flawless with perfect make-up and brown shades of clothing. She looked like she lived in a forest somewhere in the mountains with how long she wore her curls and how her delicate, floral dress flowed over her body.
“Is that what you’re upset about?”’ she asked, eyeing me.
I ducked my head down to shove my necessities into my purse. Her eyes stayed on me. The longer I stayed quiet the more burning her staring felt.
“I’m not upset,” I finally said as I wrapped my bag over my shoulder. “I’m worried.”
“About?” She frowned now, creasing her wrinkle-free forehead. Mom was the queen of moisturizer. Fifty-six looked more like forty on her. “Emelia, sweetheart, talk to me. I thought we were doing better.”
“We are,” I insisted.
We’d come to a common ground. I didn’t feel as hurt hearing her voice. Even though I still wished she’d been more supportive to me during my break-up, Mom did the best she could. She always did.
“Then, come here.” She held her hand out to me. “Talk to me. You look so worried that you’re making me scared.”
“Don’t be scared.” I went over to her and let her take my hand as she pulled me close.
“What is it? You can tell me. I won’t yell. I’ll listen,” she promised.
I smiled, thankful for the clarification. “You can yell if you want.”
“I know I can.” She smiled and bumped her shoulder against mine. “But I don’t think you deserve it this time. You look different. A little more grown-up. You know, your dad told me you haven’t been going out on weekends. Not one party?”
I nodded my head. “Not one. And I quit drinking… almost quit. I had a beer or two one night.”
“That’s wonderful. Amazing progress, you should be very proud.”
“I am.”
“So, if that’s not what’s on your mind, then what is?”
I took a moment, trying to gather my thoughts in the best way possible before telling her about Dakota. “I’m seeing a guy.”
