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“It’s in the news. I’m your mother, and I deserve to know before the rest of the world.”
She’s not wrong.
But this is the conversation I’ve been dreading. At the very least, I thought I’d be able to reveal it to her in person.
Thanks to Rivera, I don’t have that option.
“Fine. Lincoln and I have been seeing each other in secret since June. Okay? I love him, and I think he’s the man I’m supposed to end up with, and I can’t stand lying about it a second longer.” I’m crying by the time I’m done blurting out the words, which isn’t safe considering I’m behind the wheel of my car. Luckily I pull up to a stoplight so I can wipe away my tears and try to pull it together—a fruitless endeavor, by the way.
My mother is silent on the other end.
“You wanted the truth, and there you have it. I’m sorry if it’s not what you wanted to hear.”
She remains silent, and then I hear the quiet crying.
I want her to be happy for me, but thinking about future Jonah dating someone related to Rivera really put it in perspective for me. My mom and dad hate the Nash family in the same way I hate Rivera, and they don’t want to see their little girl tangled up with someone from that family.
“You know what he put you through the first time, Jolene,” she warns through her tears. “You know what that family did to ours. None of us want to relive that pain.”
“What makes you so sure we’ll have to?” I ask quietly.
“Because he’s a Nash. He’ll destroy whatever crosses his path, and he won’t care who he hurts in the process.” She’s clearly implying both my son and me.
“That’s why we haven’t told Jonah about it yet,” I say. “We’re figuring things out.”
“Well, now you’ll be doing it under public scrutiny without the support of your parents. I hate to say it this way, honey, but if you don’t end it with him, then I’m not certain your father and I can continue to be a part of your life.”
Whoa.
I knew this would have dire consequences, but is she kidding me right now?
“You’re making me choose you over him,” I say.
“I’m trying to do what’s best for you.”
“I’m thirty-four, Mother. I can make my own decisions.”
“Sure, you can. Absolutely. It’s your life. But likewise, it’s our choice to take a few steps back if you decide you want to carry on with someone like him.”
My other line beeps, and I see it’s Lincoln calling. And I suppose that means I’m already making my first choice. “I have another call coming in. I need to go.” I click to switch the calls.
“Lincoln?” I ask, my voice breathless as I try to keep from crying.
“No, Jolene. Still Mom,” she says, and my chest tightens. I guess I didn’t press the button right, which happens even when I’m not driving, but I am and this is about the worst timing ever. “But good to know where you stand. I love you. Bye.” She hangs up, and this time I press the right button to get to Lincoln before he hangs up on me, too.
CHAPTER 7: LINCOLN
“Hello?” she answers, and usually she answers with my name.
Somehow not hearing my name fall from her lips leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
“Hey. I guess we need to…figure this out. How we want to face this. I’m already getting questions,” I say.
“I am, too. And my mother just called to inform me that they will be stepping out of my life if I continue to see you.”
“Jesus.” I run a hand down my jaw. What the fuck are we going to do? We want to be together, but at what cost? I’m being torn to shreds in the media as a cheater, Jolene is being torn to shreds as the other woman, and it’s all at the hands of this Rivera assface. All I can focus on today is how to get revenge—how to find some shit on him and use it against him, but the rational part of me knows that isn’t the answer.
“Have you talked to Ellie?” she asks.
