He barks out a short, surprised laugh. “Fuck no.”
I nod, small and quick.
Slade catches my chin with gentle fingers and tilts my face toward him. “You seriously thought that?”
I shrug again, suddenly feeling small and pointless. “I mean… you loved her once, right?”
He smiles, but it’s small and tired. “Yeah… a long damn time ago.”
I sit up, pulling out of his touch. The warmth of his arm disappears and the room feels colder.
“Andrew?”
I shake my head, the words tumbling out before I can hold them back. “I was doing well this week. I was starting to believe I could actually be better for myself and now… it’s like a slap in the face. Her showing up, only wanting money, like another reminder that she doesn’t want us.”
Slade shifts forward on the couch, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on me. “I get that. But… I don’t want her to stick around. And… don’tyouwant us?”
I look at him, confused. “What?”
He grins, slow and sure, the same dangerous grin that makes my stomach flip. “I want you to stay, andyouwant…me.”
Heat floods my face so fast I feel dizzy. “This really isn’t the time, Slade.”
He leans in anyway, lips brushing the shell of my ear before he gives it a soft, teasing nibble. “Yeah, but I’m distracting you.”
A ridiculous little squeak escapes me. “Stop it… police will be here soon.”
Slade chuckles low and pulls back, standing up with a reluctant sigh. “Alright, alright. I’ll behave… for now.”
A firm knock sounds on the open front door. “Hello?” a deep, authoritative voice calls out.
Slade’s hand lands gently on my shoulder. “Stay in here, okay?”
Before I can answer, he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. The warmth of it lingers even after he pulls away, leaving me stunned and confused, swirl of comfort and longing twisting in my chest. I really wish my mom hadn’t turned up at all. Everything had finally started to feel…possible.
I hear the low murmur of voices in the hallway… Slade’s usual hard, no-nonsense tone, nothing like the soft one he’d used with me just moments ago. There are two other voices too: a man and a woman, both professional and calm. I run my hands down my face, trying to steady my breathing.
A few minutes later, a more familiar voice joins them.Paul. The living-room door opens and Paul steps inside, closing it quietly behind him. He lowers himself into the armchair across from me, his expression kind but serious.
“Hey, kid.”
“Hi, Paul,” I manage, my voice sounding small even to my own ears.
“I wanted to let you know my officers are taking your mom to the hospital,” he says gently. “She’s gonna need some serious medical attention. Probably detox and rehab too, depending on what she’s on. We’ll have to figure out where she’s been living these past few years, ask around, and reach out to her local police department to make sure she isn’t wanted for anything or in any immediate trouble. We’ll handle all that.”
I nod slowly, letting out a long, tired sigh. “Honestly, Paul… I just… I really don’t wanna see her again. Like, ever.”
Paul nods, understanding flickering across his face. “Yeah, I get that. Completely understandable.”
He pauses for a moment, then offers a small smile. “Slade told me you’re thinking about community college?”
I let out a weak laugh and nod. “Uh, yeah.”
“That’s really good, Andrew. Seriously. I’m glad to see you taking control of your life like that. I hope I don’t see you in my cells again.”
I manage a small, genuine smile. “Thanks, Paul.”
He stands and gives my shoulder a light, fatherly squeeze before heading back toward the door. I hear him say goodbye to Slade, then the front door closes with a solid thud.
