“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell him, accepting defeat, and I zone out of the conversation entirely.
She thinks I could never tell a soul what she did to me because I would never hurt her the way she hurt me. But the truth is, I never say it out loud because it forces me to remember.
And when I remember, I break.
I’ve been broken too many times in my life where my mom is concerned, and I don’t have the strength to do it anymore. If I snap, it’ll be for good. Zoning out of the conversation is the only way to protect myself.
I pull my phone out of my pocket, notifications from Cassandra and Cole displayed on the screen, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.
Only, I wish I weren’t here, gushing in front of my mom and my new asshole of astep-dad.
God forbid I be happy while my mom is going through the worst time of her life.
“It’s rude to be on your phone while with company, Jennifer,” my mom says to me calmly, and Mark agrees too easily.“I didn’t raise you to be disrespectful.”She shakes her head. I want to tell her she didn’t raise me at all, but what would be the point?
She’s clearly bought Mark here to prove that I’m the problem—that she’s the perfect mother who raised an ungrateful, good-for-nothing daughter.
I ignore them. I’m too anxious, and I need to know what Cole’s text message said. So, I clasp my phone between my fingers, unlock my screen and open the text.
Cole:What are you up to?
I quickly type back.
Me:At Katie’s Diner with my mom and my new dad, apparently.
Cole:Need a savior? I’m not far from there.
Me:And have my mom comment about how you’re too attractive to even be seen with me? Thank you, but no thank you. This is already a shitshow. You being here will just make it worse.
The second I hit the send button, my phone is snatched out of my hand by my mom, and I watch as she scrolls through the text messages Cole and I have sent each other.
Luckily, there’s nothing too incriminating, but now she knows I’m texting about her and Mark, so that’s great.
“Who’s Cole?” She raises a brow as I rise from my seat and snatch my phone from her hands.
“He’s a colleague.” It’s not a total lie, because he is, in fact, exactly that. And I would much rather bend the truth than admit what he really is to me.
“I don’t know about you, Mark, but do you ever want to keep yourcolleaguesfrom meeting your momma?” she asks her husband as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, dotting kisses down her jaw.
Apparently, he’s turned from total prick to doting husband in a matter of minutes. Like he’s forgotten the conversation the two of us had, and remembered just how infatuated with his new wife he is.
I don’t listen to this answer. I tap out again, staring out the window, watching Grangewood Creek locals pass by Katie’s Diner in a haze.
Men in construction gear sitting out the front of their job sites are eating their lunch. People in active wear are walking out of Laney’s Yoga House. Teenagers are enjoying their waffle cones with a double scoop of their favorite ice cream.
All the while, I’m stuck in a diner, with no choice but to hear about how I’m the bad guy for not being there for a mom who barely even remembers I exist.
“Jenna? Did you hear what Mark said?” my mom says, forcing my eyes back on her, and I reluctantly oblige.
I shake my head, “No. I stopped listening a while ago. What did you say?” I ask, pretending like I’m actually paying attention this time, suddenly wishing I told Cole to come and save me.
I could really use—
“Sorry I’m late.” I hear his voice over my shoulder before my body registers the familiar warmth he radiates, and I stiffen. “Hey, baby.” He leans down, placing a kiss on my temple,gesturing for me to slide down the booth to give him space, and I oblige—albeit reluctantly.
“And who might you be?” my mom asks, cheeks flushed with a soft pink.
This could go in so many ways, and I don’t feel prepared foranyof them.
