“I was trying to protect you.” My hands curl into fists. “There’s a difference.”
Her shoulders tighten as if she’s bracing for something. “From what?”
I stare at her, disbelief thick in my chest. “From guys like Spencer.”
Something flashes across her face but it’s gone before I can register what it was.
“I’m sorry.” She presses a hand to her chest. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Thinking it and saying it aren’t really that different. I’ve got to go.” I march to the kitchen door and yank it open. “I’ll talk to your mom when you aren’t here.”
“I’m–”
I slam the door shut. I don’t want to hear her apology. I’ve never done anything to deserve that. I always treated her with kindness.
Okay, fine. I didn’t rush to her defense every time Kaleb gave her a hard time, but that was their thing. Brothers and sisters. They were always giving each other hell. Just like today. And she doesn’t hold a grudge against him.
But to think I became a cop because I needed control over people? Over her?
Yeah. There aren’t enough words to describe how disappointing that is.
Chapter Eleven
Emily
Two Days Later
Normally, I work the day shift, but Kathy needs the night off, so I’m filling in for her. As soon as I finish checking in on my mom, on my day off, and after stopping by the youth football practice to go over concussion protocols. I’ve already worked a full day and haven’t even stepped foot inside the office.
“Thank you so much for being here.” My mom pats my hand. “You’re such a great girl.” She smiles at me, even though her face is somewhat pained as she drops her hand to her side and adjusts herself on the sofa. The movement is minuscule and still laced with a grimace. “I know you have more important things to do than taking care of your mother.”
The house smells vaguely like the cinnamon rolls she made two days ago and the chicken and dumpling soup simmering on the stovetop. According to my mom, Jake’s mother made it, but she had someone else drop it off for her.
My mouth waters. Too bad I don’t have time to eat. Jake’s mom is a phenomenal cook, and we were the lucky recipients of her hospitality on more than one occasion. She always said if we put up with her son tearing up our house, the least she could do was cook a double batch and send food over with him when he came to hang out.
I can’t remember the last time I spoke to Simone or Trace. When Jake blew me off, I avoided his parents as well. I was tooembarrassed to see them. I couldn’t handle wondering if they knew how I felt about him and pitied me.
Not that it was hard to do. There seems to be some rift between my mom and Simone since around that same time. They’re cordial if they see each other, but they no longer seek each other out. Even today, when Simone made the soup, she had one of the women from the neighborhood drop it off rather than come in and visit.
“That’s nonsense. Taking care of you is the most important thing I have to do. You’ve taken care of Kaleb and I, since we were born.” I chuckle, “Since before we were born, so clearly we love you.”
She yawns and settles into the cushions. “I appreciate the parenting accolades. It wasn’t easy on my own.”
Our father rarely came around. He was an okay dad, but he was obsessed with work and building his business. After their divorce, he remarried, and our half-siblings got the attentive father.
“I know, Mom.” I keep an eye on her as she shifts again. She slides her good arm over the edge of the sofa.
“Let me get that.” I rush over and pull the lever that lifts her feet.
After I drag up the blanket, she closes her eyes. I’ve always been proud of my mom, but now, even more so. She never once complained about the surgery or the pain afterward. She’s a rock star.
I glance at the clock as my stomach grumbles. It’s fifteen minutes until my shift starts. Kaleb should be here any second,so I can get to work. I pull my hair up and reapply my blush and eyeshadow.
The dark circles under my eyes won’t go away until I’ve had a decent night’s rest. I rotate my shoulders. Which hasn’t happened since before mom’s surgery.
If I’m being honest, it’s been that way since the day at the park when I saw Jake for the first time in years. Since then, I’ve tossed and turned until exhaustion pulls me under.
Five more minutes creep by, and Kaleb still isn’t here. Where is he? I pace the living room as my mom’s mouth slightly opens and a light snore falls from her lips.
