Page 63 of Fractured Frets

“Change? I don’t need to change. You never had any issues with me going out before you met Slip.” As she glared at me, fire flared in Valerie’s eyes “Did you put her up to this?”

“Nope.” I shook my head.

Maddy clutched my hand against her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Slip has nothing to do with this. I’ve asked you for years to ease up, Mom. But you never do. We’ve been waiting here for hours to spend time with you, but you went out drinking instead of to your appointment and coming home to see us. So be it. I have a huge day tomorrow starting at five a.m., and I need an early night. So go grab another drink, Mom. Enjoy the evening. But Slip and I are going home to his place.”

Maddy went to stand, but Valerie grabbed her wrist. “No. Don’t go.” Panic shot through Valerie’s voice. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.”

“Good. I hope you honestly mean that.” Maddy’s voice cut through the air. Her muscles tensed beneath my touch. “But tonight, my time is Slip’s. So, if you have a flare-up or need a doctor or have any other issue whatsoever, call the ambulance, or Bridget, or the home doctor. But not me. I love you, but I’m done for the day.”

My heart sank. I’d never seen Maddy draw a line with her mom. She never faltered in taking care of her. I understood exhaustion. I guessed Maddy was there.

“Oh no.” Valerie reached for Maddy’s hands again, but Maddy drew them away. Tears loomed in Valerie’s eyes. “Angel, please don’t go. What about dinner?”

Maddy rose and snaked her hand around my waist. “I lost my appetite.”

I hadn’t. I was starving...but yeah, I could order something at home.

“Oh. Oh... oh dear.” Valerie coughed and wheezed. She swayed as she gripped onto the armrests of the recliner. “Madison, I’m not feeling well. Quick. Get me my pills. I’m dizzy. Hot.” Her head lolled back against the chair. She touched her palms against her cheeks, then her forehead.

“Valerie?” I rushed to her side, lowered her hand, and felt her forehead. Wait? There was no fever. “You’re not hot.”

Fresh concern flooded Maddy’s eyes as she shot forward and clutched Valerie’s hand. “Mom? What’s wrong?”

“Oh.” She wheezed and patted her chest. “It must be a flare-up. My lungs hurt. I hate this.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” Maddy closed her eyes, pressed her lips together, and her unrelenting compassion took hold. “I’ll get your meds. Do you need your oxygen?”

Fuck. I don’t know how Maddy did it. Wait! Yes, I did. I was the same. No matter how fucked up you were, how tired, exhausted...or in pain...you were always there for loved ones when needed. I was always there for my band. Maddy, for her mom.

Valerie shook her head. “No. Just a Xanax and my prednisone.”

Maddy ran into the kitchen to fetch Valerie some water and her medication.

But as I sat on the armrest beside Valerie, the hairs on my arms stood on end. A flash of twisted victory flicked through the depth of Valerie’s eyes, but it disappeared as she brushed her hand across her forehead. “Oh, Maddy. I don’t want to ruin your night, but could you stay?”

Something wasn’t right.

Valerie had waltzed into the house before, happy and carefree.

Her whole manner had changed when she’d seen us.

My breath snagged in my chest.

Fuck . . . was Valerie faking it? Putting on a show?

Holy shit!

Surely I was imagining things. But what if I wasn’t?

Chapter 18

SLIP

“Valerie? Stop.” Sitting beside Maddy’s mom on the armrest of her recliner, I summoned a calm tone. “You’re okay.” If she was having a panic attack or a flare-up, I’d do everything necessary to help. But I didn’t believe that was the case. I was good at detecting bullshit...and Valerie was full of it.

“Shh,” Valerie snipped at me, then flicked a weak wave toward Maddy in the kitchen. “Hurry, angel.”

“Shit, Mom.” Maddy held the pill bottle open in her hands. “This is empty. Do you have more somewhere else?”

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