Page 85 of Rebel Romeo

With a sigh, I dropped my forehead to my phone. This would usually be the point, I’d reach out to my Dad. Demand he drop what he was doing to go check on her. Be with her.

In truth, she should go to rehab. Enter a twelve step program. But we’d tried that once and the media got a hold of it, almost ruining one of Dad’s elections. And within four months, Mom had fallen back off the wagon anyway, making it all for nothing.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that Mom had also been American royalty—the daughter of a past vice president—I don’t think my father would have put up with her as long as he did. A tactical move his own father helped orchestrate, no doubt.

I glanced down at my spinner ring on my thumb… Grandpa Dorsey’s ring. That son of a bitch. He made my dad look like a kitten.

Mom:

I’mn your mother an I love you.

Love… that only results in pain and betrayal. My mom claimed to love me and only wanted me to be happy, and yet the moment I turned my back, she was pouncing on Kate.

Holden:

If this is your version of love, I don’t want it.

It was harsh, but it got my point across.

I did love my mother.

Maybe more than I loved anyone else in my family. But it didn’t excuse her behavior. She was a spoiled princess who had allowed her husband to walk all over her. And as a result, she proceeded to do the same to others in an effort to reclaim the control that she’d lost.

At least that’s what my therapist said.

Again, my phone rang and a picture blinked on my screen of Mom and me from a few years ago, cheek to cheek after my first win as a quarterback in high school.

Shit. Maybe that last text was a little too harsh.

Fuck it. I’d deal with the fall out later. For tonight, I had a date.

A date with a girl who knew what real love was… despite the fact I’d only given her her first kiss only a few weeks ago.

I fired off one final text to my mom, the guilt of leaving her hanging too much, even for me.

Holden:

I know we need to talk but I’m out for the night. I need a little space, but I promise to call you soon.

Pausing for a moment, I added,

Holden:

Please, Mom. No more drinks tonight. Take an ibuprofen and get some rest.

It wasn’t much, but I had to admit, I felt better.

Opening my nightstand, I tossed my journal in the top drawer along with the same pen I always used to write in it before heading out.

On my way to my car, I lit a cigarette and took a long drag as Duncan got out of his car, walking up the driveway, also looking like he was dressed for a date.

He gave me a wolf whistle as I locked the front door behind me. “Where are you headed, hot stuff?”

“Taking Katherine to dinner.”

Pure shock registered briefly on his face. “Fair Juliet finally wore you down?”

I shrugged, checking my wallet to make sure I had gum before shoving it into my pocket.

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