A slow breath leaves me, my body locking up as I absorb it.
“Yeah,” I mutter, more to myself than to her. “Thought so.”
I step aside, angling my body toward the door.
“Get the fuck out.”
“You can't force me.”
She has no idea what I would do.
“Count yourself lucky you're a woman, Rose, because if you weren't, you'd be in a hospital bed right now.”
I don't raise my voice.
I don't need to.
I just want her gone for good.
I've got a family to get back to. A life waiting for me—one I know is going to be everything with Willow in it.
“You're going to stay away from us.” I exhale slowly, reigning in the last of my patience. “If River wants a relationship with you, then that's his choice. I won't interfere. But you are done with Willow.”
I nod towards the door.
“Now, if you don't leave in the next few seconds, I’ll call my mam down here.”
A faint smirk appears on my face.
“And trust me, she won't hesitate to throw you out on your ass.”
“Where have you been?”
Mams on me the second I step through the door, hands flying to my face like she's checking I've still got my limbs attached. Dad's right behind her, just as invested, both of them dressed in matching offensively green jumpers—flashing lights, stitched-on snowmen—and antlers sitting crooked on their heads.
I blink at him. “Nice look.”
Dad just grunts. “Your mother's idea.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Mam shoots back as she looks at me. “Who hit you?”
She looks like she's ready to fight someone. Best not to tell her it was her grandson.
“I take it River and Willow aren't here yet?” I ask, even though I already know the answer, hoping she doesn't question the bruise anymore.
Still… a part of me hopes.
Mam's expression softens. “We were hoping they'd be with ye,” she says, glancing out of the window. “It's getting dark, love.”
“And we've got a house full of starving animals,” Dad adds, jerking his thumb toward the living room.
“We are growing boys,” Ezra calls out, his voice loud and dramatic as ever.
Mam snorts. “You haven't grown since you were seventeen, Ezra, and even that was generous.”
“Genetics failed me. I demand a recount.”
Dad lets out a low laugh. “The only thing that failed you was your effort in hiding the vegetables you refused to eat in plant pots.”
