Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
When I pulled up, I spotted her in the front yard potting plants. She had on no makeup, a pair of baggy denim overalls, and a floppy sun hat, and she still looked positively stunning. I carried her cup of coffee over to her as I said, “Good morning.”
“Mia!” She stood and opened her arms, pulling me in for a giant hug. “I didn’t know you were coming by.”
I hugged her back as I told her, “It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.”
“Well, I’m so glad you came.” She reached for her cup of coffee and took a long sip. “Ummm, my favorite.”
She led me over to the front porch, and we both sat down on her swing. She took off her hat, then took a sip of her coffee before asking, “So, how have things been going? Any new projects at work?”
“Things are good. No new projects. Work’s been a little slow, but it's fine.”
I let out a little sigh, and that’s all it took. Mom leaned back on the swing and said, “Okay, tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong. Well, not really.” My mother and I had always been close. She’d always been there for me—no matter what. I knew today would be no different, but I was still nervous. I took a deep breath, then said, “I just wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.” She settled back on the swing and gave me her full attention as she asked, “What’s on your mind?”
I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts, then said, “I’m not sure if Dad told you, but I’ve been seeing someone.”
"He hasn’t mentioned anything.” Mom’s brows furrowed slightly, curiosity mixing with concern. “I guess he was waiting on you to tell me.”
“Maybe... or maybe he was thinking it wouldn’t last.”
“Why would he think that?”
“Because I’ve been seeing Wrath.”
My words hung in the air between us, and I could tell by the look on my mother’s face that my answer had taken her by surprise. “Oh...”
“We haven’t been seeing each other long.”
“I see.” She studied me for a moment, then asked, “And you like him?”
“I’ve always liked him, Mom. We grew up together, but things took a turn a few weeks back when I tricked him to come to my apartment.”
“You tricked him?”
“I kind of lied and told him my ceiling fan was broken when it wasn’t... at least, not until I broke it.”
“Oh, Mia,” she scolded.
“I know. It was wrong, but I had to come up with a way to get him alone and that was the only way I could think of to do it.” I shrugged. “And it worked.”
“And you started, ummm, seeing each other after that?”
“Pretty much.”
“Hmm.” After a brief silence, she reached out to hold my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "So, tell me all about it. I want to hear everything.”
It meant the world to me that I had my mother's support, so much so I started telling her everything from the dates we had to the way I felt whenever I was with him. Thankfully, my lip had healed, so I could skip the bit about the fight with the neighbor. But I told her everything else, and Mom listened to every word.
She’d been where I was with Dad.
She knew how hard it could be and whether or not it was worth it. Her opinion mattered to me, so as soon as I was done telling her everything, I asked, “So, do you think this thing with him could work?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Her eyes never left mine as she said, “You’ve grown up in the club. You’ve seen how hard it can be... what it’s like to have someone you love walk out the door and not know if they’re ever coming back.”
“Wait... Are you saying you regret being with Dad?”
“Not for one second,” she answered without hesitation. “I love your father, and I would face whatever hardships I have face to be with him—just like he would, and did, for me. He’s my person, and he always will be. I wouldn’t be sitting here if he wasn’t. And if Wrath isn’t that for you...”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“You know, he reminds me a lot of your father.” Anguish marked her face as she said, “He’s been through a lot. More than most could handle.”
“I know all about his past, Mom. I was there. He tried to hide it and act like none of it mattered, but I could see the hurt in his eyes. We all could.” My throat tightened as I told her, “There was nothing anyone could do to ease the pain he was feeling. But he eventually got through it.”
“Yes, but that pain is still with him. It’s part of him.”
“Just like it was part of Dad.”
“Exactly. It’s what has made them the men they are today.” She reached up and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Just listen to your heart, Mia. It will tell you everything you need to know.”