Page 102 of The Villain

“Excuse me?” His voice drops with building anger.

“I’m waking up, and I don’t like what I’m seeing. You set me up with this team to keep me on your leash. Telling them I’m a leak was a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?”

“Evan. What are you talking about?” He asks warily. The change from anger to concern is abrupt but I brush it off. I’m not the only actor in the family. And calling me by my first name? He’s never done that. Mom must be close by.

“Here’s the deal. I’m out of your business and you’re out of mine. Simple. I talk to Mom whenever I want and you go back to staying silent in the shadows. As of now, I quit and you’re going to respect it.”

“What?” His voice goes breathless as if he’s shocked at the turn around.

“Evan?” Mom’s concerned voice washes down the line. “Are you safe?”

“Hey, Mom. I’m safe and I’ll stay that way, don’t worry about it. You told me that I had to accept him and I have. But I don’t accept what he’s been doing in my life. You can accept that. Fair’s fair.”

“Sweetheart, I’m going to get this figured out.”

She’s told me that all through my life so the words are bittersweet. She means them, I know she does. But she never manages to hold up through it all. It sucks but she’s a person and shit happens.

That knowledge hits me like a sledgehammer. She’s always wanted the best for me, even drugged to the gills she wanted to show me love and care. The fact that she couldn’t manage it in that state is now water under the bridge. Mom is the best of intentions mingled with mistakes and I love her. No matter what.

“I’d rather you stay safe and happy,” I say honestly. “I’ve always wanted that for you. Fucking take it Mom and don’t let it go. You deserve it. And I’m going to take it because I deserve it.”

“I’ve never heard you talk this way,” she says and sniffles.

“Thank Tera. You should meet her sometime.”

“And your new lady friend?” She giggles like a teen ready to gossip while Matthias flounders in the background.

“Is new, Mom. Relax,” I huff a laugh. I can hear him barking orders and demanding answers for his questions in the background. The sound gets muffled as she takes me off speakerphone.

“You stay safe, sweetheart.”

“I will. I’ll get a new phone so don’t bother calling this one again. I’ll text.”

“Ok,” she lets out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry I wasted so much time being mad over nothing.”

“Shit happens,” I mutter. “But it doesn’t have to keep happening.”

“I hear you,” she says fervently.

“I gotta go. I love you.”

“Love you too,” she says in a rush. I hear Matthias tell her not to hang up right before she does. I can picture her sassy don't you yell at me face and chuckle.

The phone starts to vibrate immediately. It’s one of the team calling me this time. Probably Blaze, pissed off. It goes to voicemail but I ignore it.

I debate for a second and then make sure all my pictures are saved before I go through the process of restoring it to its original empty state, turn the phone off, and dismantle it. The pieces get laid on the pillow in order.

I grab both bags and stride into the living room, a weight dropped from my shoulders that makes me feel light as air. Tera, Andi, and Evie are standing around the kitchen talking. I interrupt with a grin.

“Are we being invaded?”

Andi gives me a stern look, and Tera smiles at me.

“Good morning,” Tera chirps, hopping out of her seat to hug me.

I return the gesture with one arm.

Evie eyes the two packs on my shoulder and meets my eyes without a change in her expression.

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