Page 129 of Fractured Frets

“No. She’s not quitting. She’s still working at the hospital but needs somewhere to live.” Mom’s voice turned sheepish. What the hell is with that? “I was hoping it would be okay with you if I asked her to move in with me.”

I rubbed at the tension drilling through the center of my brow. Did I want someone else living in my home? I was hardly ever there. Would that matter? I guess not. “As in, have a housemate?”

“Um...maybe something more than that. We’ve grown really close over the past couple years.”

My breath shot from my lungs. I gaped, struggling to form words. “Mom? What do you mean?”

Her cheeks turned a dark shade of rosy pink. “She doesn’t want to be my part-time caretaker anymore; she just wants to be with me.”

“Holy. Shit!” I nearly tumbled off the end of the bed as I swiveled toward her. “Are you two a couple?”

“No.” She pursed her lips together, then smiled like a teenage girl with a crush. I hadn’t seen my mom look like that...ever. “But there’s a connection. We’re friends. Companions. Maybe growing into something more. We’ve talked about it and want the chance to see if it evolves.”

I blinked a gazillion times per second, shocked to my core. “And you want her to move into my house?”

“Yes. But you should be with Slip. Your husband. At his house. Your other house. Or at your place.”

My shoulders slumped, too heavy to hold up. “Mom, it’s too complicated. Too messed up. We’re not meant to be together.”

Mom snapped her eyes shut. Her jaw tensed. Then she let out a slow, wheezy breath. “Madison. That’s enough. I’ve been a shitty mom for a long time. I don’t want to dump my problems on you anymore. I want to work toward stabilizing my condition and living healthier. For Bridget and you.” Sincerity set in her tone. “Marriage isn’t easy. It takes work, commitment, and trust. Your father and I had those things for years, but his heart lay elsewhere. I saw that for a long time but denied the facts. Being honest, I probably saw Noah wanted Jocelyn too, but ignored the signs. But with Slip, he only has eyes for you. Why don’t you try to fix things?”

I sniffled and tucked my hair behind my ear. “I don’t have time.”

“You will if Bridget moves in with me.”

“Mom.” I rubbed her leg. “I’m glad you’ve found something special with Bridget. She can move in.” I wouldn’t have to fly home as often. I could spend time with my castmates. Focus on work. Void my marriage. “I’ll be okay. It’s time to let go of Slip and move on. And that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Yes . . . maybe . . . definitely.

After dinner with Sutton.

Chapter 36

MADDY

Flint opened his front door and greeted me with his gorgeous smile. “Mads. It’s so good to see you.” He gave me a big hug, rocking me from side to side. “How you doing?”

“I’m good. You?” I handed him a bottle of wine. I couldn’t wait to hear about the last few weeks of the tour, catch up with the guys, the girls...and ask about Slip. I still cared about him. But somehow I had to wind us back to a just-friends status. I would. In time...we just needed time.

“Awesome, as always. It’s soooo good to be home.” He raked his fingers through the long front of his hair and ruffled it back off his face. “It still feels weird not traveling every few days. I already miss performing. But I love sleeping in my bed every night.”

“Isn’t that the best feeling after being away?”

“Fuck yeah.”

I followed him into the open-plan living room and over to the kitchen island. “Where’s Sutt?”

“She’s just taking a shower.” Flint grabbed two wineglasses and filled them up. “She won’t be long.”

Just as he handed me a drink, Sutton came out of the hallway in a strapless baby-pink romper and broke into a run, rushing over. She flung her arms around my shoulders and hugged me. “Oh! I missed you.”

“Same.” Love my bestie.

“Let’s go outside and enjoy this gorgeous evening.” She grabbed the other wine off the counter, took my hand, and led me out the sliding doors. “We have so much to catch up on.”

I kicked off my sandals, and we sat on the edge of the pool, dangling our bare feet in the cool water.

“First, cheers to being home.” She chinked her glass against mine. “The tour is finally over. Yay!” She hooked her free arm behind my back and gave me a cuddle. “How are you? You’re looking better.”

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