Page 8 of Worthy: Cassius and Faith 3

“Let’s talk in the cafe, okay? Then I need to see Lucas.” I started down the hall, desperate to get away from everyone else, but my mother stayed rooted to the spot.

“Who’s this?” She jerked her thumb in Cassius’s direction. He stood still, looking ridiculously tall, handsome, and rich AF. I hadn’t noticed that he was wearing another gorgeous custom suit, his onyx cufflinks winking at his wrists. Fuck.

“That’s my driver,” I lied.

My mother looked incredulous. “Your driver?”

“Uber,” I explained, motioning for her to follow me. “Come on, the cafeteria closes soon.” This was yet another lie, but I couldn’t get her away from Cassius fast enough, not to mention the receptionist, who was shooting eye-daggers in our direction.

Cassius watched as I practically dragged my mother down the hall. He didn’t look amused. I didn’t blame him. My mother reeked of Menthols and also cheap vodka. My stomach roiled, but I put on my game face in order to keep the peace. I’d learned how to do that long ago—sometimes, I wondered whether the mask was my real face or vice versa.

“Why do you have a driver, and why’re you so dressed up, huh? And how’d you pay your brother’s bill?” My mother rapid-fired questions as she grabbed a large coffee cup, a candy bar, and a pack of gum. She placed it all at the register, waiting for me to pay.

Luckily, Cassius’s concierge had purchased a tote for me, complete with a wallet filled with cash. My mother eyed the bills with interest as I paid for her things.

“I have a driver because I’m working this summer as a nanny,” I explained. “The family paid for it. And that’s how I paid Lucas’s bill—with the money they gave me for the summer.”

She arched a pencil-thin eyebrow. “Why’d they pay you in advance?”

“It was a signing bonus.” I wasn’t sure how, when my mother had been piss-drunk for what felt like years, she still managed to interrogate me so thoroughly. “We’re so lucky they kept him here at the center. He’s doing much better.”

She jerked her chin at my wallet. “Can I have some of that cash? I’m short on rent.”

“Sure, Mom.” I wanted to tell her that just last week, Lucas and I were about to be homeless for the second time in as many months. I needed the money, but it wasn’t worth the fight. I took half the cash and handed it to her.

She just stared at me. “I gotta pay utilities, too.”

I just sold my virginity to pay for Lucas’s care. YOUR SON, LUCAS, WHO HAS A RARE FORM OF CANCER.

But she didn’t care about Lucas, and she sure as shit didn’t care about me.

I handed her the rest of the money without a word.

Her beady gaze flicked down me, taking in my jeweled sandals and expensive tote. “Some nanny job. I’m thinking there’s more cash where that came from.”

“Actually, Mom, there’s not.” I sighed. “I already spent all my earnings to keep Lucas here. He needs the medical care.”

“They said he was doing better.” She shrugged. “So maybe he’ll get out soon.”

I shook my head. “The treatment lasts a whole year. Then, they have to monitor him for at least six months afterward. There’s a long road ahead.”

“Maybe.” Her tone was argumentative, which I found maddening.

“Did you see him?” I asked.

“Nah, I didn’t want to confuse him.”

I blinked at her. “You’ve been here all morning, and you didn’t even go in to see him?”

“Don’t you use that tone with me,” she snapped. “You don’t understand a mother’s pain.”

I glared at her. If ever there was someone full of shit, it was my mother.

“You are going to go in and see him with me right now, or I’m taking that money back.” I rarely stood up to her, and I didn’t even want her around Lucas, but he would be crushed if he ever found out she was here and didn’t bother to see him.

She snorted. “What’re you gonna take it from me?”

“Don’t try me.” I put my hands on my hips.

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