Page 212 of Collided

“Well, that’s interesting. I guess I’ll tell your dad to have a chat with him.”

I jump out of my chair in shock. Blood rushes through my veins, and the loud drum of my heartbeats roars in my ears.

I shiver at the idea of him knowing about Heath, and what he’ll do to me.

“I told you we’re just friends, Mom,” I say.

She rolls her eyes. “I wasn’t born yesterday. I know what happens when a guy drives a girl home.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Your father used to—”

“He’s not Dad.”

Mom glares at me. “And he won’t be because I won’t let him. When Alex comes home, I’m discussing this with him. You can’t be distracted.”

“No! Please don’t tell him.Please,” I beg her.

A sick smile plays on her lips, and she’s never looked more evil before.

I'm half convinced I'm hallucinating.

Right now, she looks far away from the sweet, friendly mother I grew up with, and closer to a manipulative, clever woman.

She hums. “That boy and you are having sex.”

I blanch. “No! I swear he’s not touched me like that.”

My hands turn clammy with how nervous I am. The wetness makes me feel disgusted. I rub them over my jeans, but they sweat all over again.

I need to convince her, somehow. “We’re not having sex. I wouldn’t do that. I’m young and I want to go to med school. I would never jeopardize my future like that. You know me.”

I speak all that’s expected of me rather than what’s inside my heart. This is the only way to get myself off the hook.

“Like hell you will ruin your future. I will make sure you won’t.” Her gray eyes pierce through the air like an arrow, hitting me in the chest.

My lips tremble. “Please don’t tell him. He’s only a friend.”

Mom finishes her meal. She takes her time with every little movement, driving me frantic.

Standing up, she collects the dishes and puts them in the sink.

I stand still, waiting for her to tell me that she won’t tell her husband. She and I both know, it won’t end well; what she doesn’t know is it won’t end well for me.

Leaning against the sink, she folds her arms and studies me. “I won’t tell your dad if you promise me you’ll stop seeing him.”

I can hear it. The sound of my heart breaking into pieces.

“I can’t do that.”

Mom rolls her eyes as if I’m being dramatic and these aren’t my true feelings.

She doesn’t care about me. Not anymore.

Like him, she’s changed.

“Trust me you’ll find a better guy than him. One I’ll find one for you. For now, you need to focus on your studies.”

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