AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you back to working on your little stories again?”
“Yes, Mom.”
The word makes her flinch. I guess she’s not the only one who knows how to throw stones.
“I had hoped this time of self-reflection would lead to some real changes.”
My hands still on the keyboard. I shut my laptop and look up, tired of this painful dance we always do. “And what do I need to change?”
She gives me a look as if she doesn’t know where to start. “People would like you if you’d only lose some weight and stop dressing weirdly.”
I take a deep breath as anger fills me and for the first time in a conversation with her, I don’t push it down. “I like my curves and I like the way I dress.”
“Brent didn’t. He told me he only stayed with you because he felt sorry for you. He and I used to laugh about how pathetic you are.”
I blink but the tears come anyway. “Why would you say that?”
“What?” She shrugs a shoulder. “I only tell you these things because I’m your mother and I care.”
“You don’t care!” The three words are ripped from my throat. “Do you know how much it hurt me when you slept with him? Do you know how I felt when I saw that my boyfriend wanted my mom over me?”
“And I thought it would wake you up!” She insists. “I thought you’d start making better choices with your life, but you’re still such an embarrassment.”
I laugh at the word despite the tears rolling down my cheeks. It’s strange but I feel a sense of relief now that she’s finally admitted it.
“You’re not the only one who’s embarrassed. I had to grow up as Stella Hunter’s daughter. All the boys thought I was easy just because my mom would flash her tits at any photographer who showed her some attention.”
I stand from the bed and grab my laptop, holding it against my chest. “And I just realized I don’t want to be your daughter anymore.”
Just like that, I walk out of the apartment and leave my old life behind. I don’t have a clue what to do next, but I know that today, a new Katie Hunter was born. And she’s a fuckin’ bad ass.
10
KATIE
“Whoa,” Lacey gasps when I’ve finished telling her the whole story.
“So, I kind of need a place to stay,” I sniff then giggle. I may have just made some really big mistakes by quitting my job and ending my book series. But the one thing I know wasn’t a mistake was walking away from my mom.
“Crash here,” she says.
“Will Eric care?” While her offer is generous, this isn’t Lacey’s place. It’s Eric’s and he already has two roommates.
She waves a hand. “He barely stayed here before and now, he’s so happy with Atlas. You should see the two of them together.” She pauses. “Sorry. You probably don’t want to hear about that right now.”
“I’m glad that it worked out for them. And for you.” I grin at her despite my own broken heart. Apparently, Eric and Atlas weren’t the only ones who hooked up the night of the masquerade. Ryan and Lacey did too.
I’ve never seen my friends look happier. They both deserve their fairytale endings. “I promise I won’t make a peep.”
“Just write me a sexy finale to Kitty and Michael. Although I have to tell you that after Ryan, Peter will never satisfy me in quite the same way again.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
I laugh. “It’s a deal.”
Now, I just have to figure out how to give my fictional heroine the happy ending I’ve always wanted.
* * *
Michael
