Regardless of what my mother says about how she couldn’t get in contact with him, I can’t help but wonder if she could have tried harder. What held her back for those five years? If we wouldn’t have gone to Aston, would I have even known my father?
I didn’t have a bad life with them. Honestly, I had an amazing childhood. Two years after they found each other again, Elena was born and three years later came our youngest sister, Isabella. Everyone calls her Bella, for short.
They’re both little thorns in my side and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. Although, in moments like this, when they’re crawling up my ass about something—yeah, the temptation to trade them in is very strong.
Elena
Call mom back. She’s been worried about you.
Matteo
We’ve talked through text.
Bella
She hates texting.
Elena
Can you stop being so damn hardheaded?
Bella
He’s a Ford, so no.
Matteo
The two of you are Fords. You’re the same damn way.
I’m muting the chat. I have shit to do.
Bella
Call mom!
Elena
Or else…
I snort, rolling my eyes. Please. They both inherited our mother’s fierceness. Although, I’m not afraid of either of them. What the hell could they possibly do? Nothing. They’re all bark, no bite.
Reminds me of someone else…another certain somebody I know who’s quick to show her claws. Someone I can’t seem to get out of my damn mind. It’s what I wanted, it’s what I made the deal with her for.
Although, it’s a bit unnerving.
She’s supposed to be a calculated, controlled distraction. My self-control has been a bit unhinged. I’m not normally bothered by women’s perceptions of me or my reputation. It’s common knowledge that I don’t do relationships. I’m known as the resident playboy for the Hillford Ice Hawks.
And for whatever reason, it fucking bugs me to think of her having that idea of me.
I run my fingers through my hair, then set my phone down on the counter as I prop my forehead on my hands. She’s driving me insane. I can’t stop thinking about her. I can’t stop finding bullshit reasons to text her. She’s been busy writing and I’ve been on the road for the last two weeks, so seeing her hasn’t even been feasible.
I just got back to Hillford earlier today, and Jade and I have plans to go out in three days to celebrate her publishing deal. But I don’t know if I can wait that long to see her, not now that we’re back in the same city.
An exasperated sigh escapes me as I stand upright and shake my head.What the hell is happening to me?
My sister’s voice rings in the back of my mind and reluctance weighs me down as I find my mother’s name in my phone and press the call button. She answers just after the first ring.
“Hello?”
