Page 2 of Too Hostile

“They’re fine, sweetie.” Blair misses nothing. Her hand moves to my wrist, covering it and stopping my hand from shaking.

Max and Ian are safe.

I have to remind myself of that. They’re living with Blair, Rhys, and Bree now. They’re safe. No one is ever going to hurt them again.

“Deep breaths, honey.” Goddammit. I almost hate that she knows me so well. She’s standing now, and her hands are on both sides of my face as I struggle to control my rapid breathing. I get control of myself and take in a shaky breath as I look into her eyes.

How does this still happen? Why the hell can’t I just move on already?

“Max and Ian are doing well,” she says calmly. “Really well. They even like school, and Max has been drawing nonstop.” When she smiles, I smile too and then nod my head.

“Good. That’s good.”

“Nothing is wrong,” she says, and I take another deep breath and release it. “Everything is okay. I just missed you.”

I force another smile. “I just saw you last week.”

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you, you little shit.” she teases, and finally, it’s like I come back to myself and am able to actually smile.

“I missed you too.”

She releases me and grabs her coffee again, taking a drink. “Good. Anyway I just wanted to make sure you were eating. May have had some groceries delivered and stocked your fridge a bit.”

I shake my head at her because she’s never stopped taking care of me or my brother and sister since the day she took us in. “Thank you,” I say simply, not really wanting to get mushy but so damn grateful all the same.

“When is class?” I’m honestly surprised she doesn’t have my schedule memorized, although knowing her, she probably does.

“I have to get going pretty soon. Professor Barlowe hates when I’m late.” Which I have been all too often—maybe because I really like it when he gets all growly. Why? Don’t ask me. I haven’t spent too long examining that, but man, do I love irritating that man.

“So I’m sure you do your best to be on time often then.” She gives me a knowing smile.

“Yup. Can’t imagine why the guy doesn’t like me.”

She frowns at that, squishing my cheeks her finger and thumb. “It’s impossible not to like you, sweetie.”

“You might be a bit biased there, Blair.”

She tosses her head back and cackles happily at that. “Walk me out to my car, kiddo. I suppose I’ll leave you to it.”

I smile at that and walk her out of my apartment, taking the time to lock the door, even though I’m not really sure why. My own mom breaks into my place. My smile is comfortable as I walk with her down to her car. She unlocks it but doesn’t open the door yet. “Bree is graduating soon.”

I give her a quick nod, not missing the proud yet sad smile on her face. “Yeah, I know.”

Bree is my age, but I graduated from high school a year before I was supposed to, along with Rhett’s class. “You’ll be there?”

I nod. It was already in my plans. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

She’s smiling brightly now. “Good. Grayson and Rhett will be there too, along with a lot of guys from the tattoo shop.” I nod along as she lists people off because I have no doubt Blair is going all out for Bree’s graduation party, despite my sister likely hating that idea.

But Blair means well. “I’ll be there.”

She leans in and kisses my cheek. “Good. Now get to class, so you don’t upset your professor.” She pulls her door open and then gives me a mischievous grin. “Speaking of professors...” She waggles her eyebrows at me, “Any hotties?”

I nearly choke on my own spit in surprise—why I’m surprised at this point with Blair, I’m really not sure. The woman never holds back. “What? No.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you don’t have a thing for a hot older professor. I totally get it. And back in college?—”

“Mom,” I say exaggeratedly, my hand dragging over my face. “I’m begging you not to finish that sentence.”

---