Page 109 of Not Until I Found You

“Visiting at Dad’s. What about you?” I might as well ease into this with some small talk.

She yawns. “I’m on the couch, trying not to doze off.”

“You sound exhausted. Is everything okay?” I ask and hate the mental image of her being alone at home.

She lets out a small laugh. “Yes, I’m fine. Work has been a little hectic lately, especially in this dreadful heat.”

The word fine lands heavy. It almost sounds like she’s holding back from telling me the truth.

“I can call you back later if you’re tired⁠—”

“No,” she interrupts, her tone firmer now. “It’s okay, really.”

Silence fills the line. I can hear her moving as she walks through the house, past the washing machine rattling in the laundry room, and into the kitchen where she runs some water. I hate that she’s hours away from me, alone and worn out. There is a part of me that feels like I’m betraying her by wanting to build a life in Covewood.

The guilt presses harder because finishing my degree has never been only about my dreams. It’s also the opportunity to build something stable enough that Mom won’t have to work herself to exhaustion anymore. A small, impossible hope flickers through me as I picture mom leaving her job behind and moving to Covewood with me.

God, that would be so amazing if that could happen. Ashton and I could take care of both of our parents that way. Please soften her heart toward Covewood and the idea of me moving here.

“I’m ready to have you back at home. I miss you.”

My throat tightens at the hopefulness in her tone, and I’m about to take that from her, but I can’t avoid this any longer. She deserves to know.

“I miss you too. It’ll be nice to spend some time together while I’m there for college,” I admit, wincing as I wait for her reply.

“What do you mean while you’re here for college?”

“Well, I’ve decided that, after I graduate, I’m going to move to Covewood.” My heart is pounding hard against my ribs.

Her breath catches. “Move to Covewood?”

“Yeah. I’d like to build a life here,” I add too quickly.

“I don’t understand,” her voice sharpens. “What’s so special about that place, Maxinne? First, it takes your father away from us. Then your brother. And now you’re telling me it wants to take you too?”

“That’s not fair,” I add, heat flaring in my gut. “Covewood’s not taking me. I’m choosing this.”

“Why?” she snaps.

It’s because of a hundred different reasons. Like the way this place makes me feel. And the person I’ve become since being here. The friends who welcomed me in before I’d earned it. Because I found Zane here, and somewhere along the way, he became woven into all the reasons this place feels like home.

“Because I’m happy here,” I say instead, and even to me, it sounds too small.

“Well,” she says, her tone tightening, “I can’t accept that as a reason. You’ve only been there a few months. You can’t make decisions like this overnight.”

“You’re not listening to me. I⁠—”

“Honey, you’ve had so much going on lately. I’d rather finish this discussion when you’re back home, so we can talk in person.”

Tears fill my eyes as I croak, “I’m not going to change my mind.”

“You’re not thinking clearly, Max⁠—”

“Yes, I am!” I snap. “I’ve never thought so clearly in my entire life. I’m doing this whether you approve of it or not. For once, I’m making a choice for myself.”

I can hear her breathing, like she’s about to say something else, but she doesn’t. My heart aches, knowing that she’ll always have a bad taste in her mouth about Covewood, without even giving it a chance. She’s stubborn and won’t change her mind.

The urge to end the call surges through me, but I stop cold at the memory of walking away from Dad when anger was burning in my chest. I regretted that conversation the moment it ended. I don’t want to carry that same regret with her.