Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I cap Mom’s shoulders, looking into her wet, brown eyes. They are desperate, swimming with pain that I know won’t be healed unless I stitch it up with my kindness.
She seems so raw and vulnerable and this all seems so sudden. There is still a lot we have to talk about, but Drake was right about one thing.
She is my Mom and I will never get another.
He lost both of his mother figures. The women in his life. I still have mine, and I think the least she deserves is a little compassion after the struggle she’s endured. I don’t blame her for wanting the best for her children, even if that bright picture of success blinded her.
What happened to Mitchell… I don’t think that can ever be forgiven on her part. But the fact that she tried to save me… well, I can give her that.
“Mom.” I lean in to kiss her on the cheek. When I pull back I murmur, “If my forgiveness is what you need to move forward, then you have it. You’ve always had it. I’ve tried to hate you, but hate is something I’m not capable of. Not even towards the people that have hurt me the most.”
She bobs her head, and so much relief washes over her that it’s nearly visible. Her shoulders drop, the tension melting. I tug her in and hold on tight, my chin on her shoulder, tears lining my cheeks. I feel heat blooming in the pit of my belly, a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time.
Wholeness.
That is what I feel.
This single act alone has somewhat completed me.
Yes, my mother has her faults, but she is my Mom and she is willing to try. As long as she is willing, so am I. I want a better future. I want my future babies to have a grandmother they can claim. I want to trust her again, and in due time I will.
But for now, all I need is this hug.
All I need is my mom.
She holds on tight, sniffling like crazy. She still smells the same—like honey and cinnamon. I always loved her scent.
When I pull away, I see her wearing the biggest smile. I haven’t seen one like it since I was little. And seeing it warms my heart in the best way possible.
I guess Drake was right.
This had to happen. That darkness from the past is no longer weighing on my shoulders. My life officially starts now, and damn, I can’t wait.
Chapter 44
Drake
“I’m guessing you heard everything?” Jenny looks up at me as we meet up to the truck.
I smirk down at her.
“Who am I kidding?” she laughs. “I know you did.”
“I wanted to make sure everything remained cordial in there.”
She climbs into the car, laughing some more. Her eyes are a little red from all the tears her and her mom shed. As they played catch up, Jenny’s mom ended up making a phone call to her dad. Turns out her dad is in Atlanta and was so relieved to hear from her (and to get her number again). Her mom even gave me an apology and a hug.
After three hours, we are finally leaving.
When we are settled in the backseat, I spot her mom standing on the porch.
Bill starts the car and then puts it in reverse. As we back out, her mom waves goodbye.
“When’s the next time you’ll visit?” I ask.
Jenny shrugs, staring ahead with wide eyes. “I’m not sure. But I promised to call.”
“That’s good.”
She releases a big breath of relief, as if all of the world’s weight has faded and she can breathe easier now. “Now it’s your turn, Mr. Doom.”
I focus on my hands. “Guess so.”
“Tonight?”
“Yep. Tonight. I have a hotel booked for us to go to afterwards. Let’s hope I can get this shit over with in the cleanest way possible.”
“No bloodshed,” she lightly scolds.
I flash a crooked grin. “No bloodshed.”
* * *
The gym is just as I remembered it.
Dark, gritty, and fucking filthy. All I smell is sweat and iron. I hear barbells clanking as Jenny and I walk up to the front desk.
I’m surprised to see Hayley still working as the receptionist. I almost laugh, knowing she hasn’t done anything with her life. Though she did pine over the twins and me, none of us took her seriously. Mainly because she’s white trash and we knew she’d never amount to shit.
Her eyes spread wide as she sees me coming, and when I meet up to the front desk her jaw drops.
“Oh my fucking God,” she shouts. “This cannot be real! DOOMSDAY!?”
I press my lips, nodding. “Hayley.”
“Holy shit. What in the hell are you doing in Fox River?! I saw that fight, by the way! You fucking slayed that Slayer.”
“I’m not here to talk about fighting. Where’s Flex?”