Emily
Two Days Later
After I pull in front of my mom’s house, I shut off the car’s engine. The neighborhood hasn’t changed since I graduated from high school. The Nolans still live next door to my mom, and Bella lives down the street.
As I step onto the sidewalk, I shiver at the cold chill seeping through my windbreaker and clutch the sides together over my chest. My brother’s 4X4 is in the driveway. Between the two of us, we should be able to take care of any of our mother’s needs.
The flowerpots on the front porch are overflowing with different colored mums–purples, yellows, oranges, reds. They’re all vibrant and full. That’s something else we’ll need to tend to as she won’t be able to lift a watering can for a few weeks.
I shake back the overwhelm that creeps over me whenever I consider the extra items that’ll be on my plate after her shoulder surgery. She diapered my butt for god’s sakes. The least I can do is water some fucking plants a few times.
All I need to do is prioritize everything. When someone calls asking for my help, I’ll just tell them no. My skin crawls at the thought of telling Iris no. And then, there are the youth activities that always need an additional medical professional on site for events.
I can’t tell them no. It’s for the kids’ safety. Everyone knows that if they’re short someone, they can call me, and I’ll come running. Damnit, I’ll figure out a way to juggle everything. I always do.
The second I walk into the cozy living room, the scent of cinnamon and yeast settles my whirling brain. The sofa and recliner arrangement are the same as before I moved out, and the family photos still include the one when my hair was cut like a boy’s and I had three missing teeth. Maybe I’ll toss that one away when I’m dusting.
My mom pops her head out of the kitchen. “I thought I heard you. We’re in here.” She’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt as she carries a platter in both hands. That’s my mom. It doesn’t matter how much pain she’s in, she continues to push her way through it. She’s a testament to perseverance.
“Let me get that.” I snatch the platter from her as she grimaces. The faint lines around her eyes and lips are a dead giveaway that she’s hurting. My brother stands at the table with a sandwich in his hand. “Seriously?” I glare at him. “You can’t help her carry anything?”
“Hey.” He waves his free hand in the air as he chews and swallows. “I offered, but she insisted. You know how she is. ‘This is my house, and I can take care of myself’.” He says the last sentence with a high-pitched tone as he mimics our mom.
“I don’t sound like that.” She braces her good hand on her hip. “But…” Her face tinges with heat. “I did say that.”
“Hello, Em.” Jake’s unexpected voice causes me to jump and expel a soft gasp.
What’s he doing here? I spin on my heel and drag my gaze over him, taking in everything at once. Skintight white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, a backward baseball cap, a fresh haircut and slight stubble like he’s growing the perfectly manicured 5 o’clock shadow.
“Emily,” I snap out as my heart jerks in my chest. The sound of the nickname he always called me makes my skin crawl.
Why in the hell does he have to be everywhere I am?
“Hello, Em-i-ly.” He emphasizes the syllables of my name, and the hairs that weren’t already standing at attention join in the game. Ignore him. You’ve seen pretty boys before. They’re a dime a dozen. Or with inflation, they’re more like a $100 a dozen, but he’s not the only GQ model type guy in Brookhaven.
“Hello, Jake.” I’d call him Officer Thompson, but my mom would cuff the top of my head. I shift my attention to my brother. “Why did you invite him? This is a family issue. Not an invitation for you to call all your friends over to have a sleepover.”
Heat crawls up my chest as memories of their last sleepover flood through me.
Right here. Right where Jake is standing, he told me to leave the room before his roommate showed up and saw me. Like he was embarrassed about what I was wearing. Or embarrassed to be seen with me. Or just embarrassed that I existed.
“I didn’t invite him.” Kaleb bites off a section of his sandwich.
So, he invited himself. Then, he can be the one to go this time. I turn my attention back to Jake. “You can go. We’re busy. Thank you for stopping by.”
“Emily,” my mom snaps. “How dare you be rude, and in my house. You’re not an insolent twelve-year-old girl. You’re an adult woman. Besides, I invited Jake over. I wanted to see him because it’s been so long since he’s been over to the house.”
Perfect. I bite my tongue until the tinge of blood fills my mouth. Just act like he’s not even here.
“I should go.” Jake pats my mom’s uninjured shoulder.
“No.” My mom’s eyes flash with anger. “You’re welcome in my home. You’ve always been welcome in my home.”
“Yeah.” Kaleb winks at his friend. “Don’t worry about the princess. She doesn’t always get her way.”
“Shut up.” It takes everything in my power not to stomp my foot and run upstairs to my old room.
“Listen…” Jake lifts his hand in defense. “I didn’t come here to cause issues.”
