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How could she?
“I have to go now.” And before I have a chance to ask her why, she’s dragging her piece of shitboyfriendout of the fucking bar.
four
Hollis
Howhumiliatingwasthat?I can’t believe any of that had happened. My heart stopped when I ran into Jax in the hallway. But the stunt he pulled...who the fuck does he think he is trying to come to my defense like that?
I stumble into my house way past my curfew—no, I don’treallyhave a curfew, but I try to be respectful to my parents. I really don’t understand what he thought he was trying to do coming off with his hero complex. Jax and I don’t even know each other anymore.
I kick off my boots at the front door after quietly locking it, but I don’t think I do the best job because I see the upstairs light click on.
"Shit,"I say under my breath.
I see my mom pull her robe closed over her silk pajamas as she heads down the stairs.
“I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t expect to be out so late. And I didn’t mean to be so loud.”
“I was getting worried, Hollis. I never went to bed.” She pads down the steps. I'm kind of surprised at her statement.Since when has she ever stayed up for me?
“I’m fine,” I say with more attitude than I’d like, not intentionally of course. But I’ve had the weirdest night, and I can't seem to shake my mind free of the events that occurred. My head is still spinning from the interaction between Liam and Jax. And me and Jax. He was so close to me.
“You know, I know you’re a grown woman, Hollis. But I’m only tough on you-”
“Because you love me. Yes, Mom. I know.” I finish her sentence, having heard the same one over and over. Usually after we bicker for a full twenty-four hours, and usually for no solid reason other than to get on each other's nerves.
“That’s not what I was going to say.” She pauses at the bottom of the stairs.
I give her a wondering look, because we both know that's exactly what she was going to say but she didn’t want to seem too predictable.
“Sit.” She bends down to sit on the bottom step and pats the space next to her.
I question her motives for a brief second, then realize I’m too fucking tired for this.
“Mom, we don’t have to.”
“Iwantto. Please.”
I hesitate for a moment before closing the distance between the front door and the stairs, taking the spot next to her.
“I can tell something is wrong, Hollis.”
“You mean besides the constant battle for your approval?” I snip a little too rudely, and immediately cringe at how I sounded.
Ungrateful.
Which is not ever something I want to portray. Because I am extremely grateful. My parents have done so much for me and I’m lucky to have the ones that I do.
“Sorry, that came out wrong,” I admit.
“You know, when I was your age, I didn’t have a single person to talk to about anything. It was really hard for me to fit in and find my footing. Your grandmother and grandfather were pretty strict. I guess you can say that’s where I learned it.” She pauses to take a breath. “I know I’m tough on you, but I want you to know that Iamhere if you ever want to talk about anything.”
Hearing her say that nearly brings tears to my eyes.
I look over at my mom, her vibrant eyes shine even in the shadows of the dark. And I’m reminded of Jax, whose eyes are similar in that way and were always my favorite to look at.
“Well…” I start, and my mom leans in and holds her pinky out to me.
