Page 122 of Forgive You

“Mom?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Mom,” I rumble because, clearly, it’s notnothing.

“He was a bit vague. Felt like there was something going on.”

Something weird runs through my veins, something that makes me antsy and my skin itch. “She hasn’t told me. I didn’t wanna push. We haven’t been on good terms until a couple of weeks ago.”

Though, this wakes up a fire again that says I should do exactly that. Push and find out what’s going on. What she’s not telling me, so I can help her. It’s obvious she’s going through something, and I don’t want her to go through it alone.

“So, are you now? On good terms?”

“We’re on great terms,” I say, though the words are a little stained now that I’m reminded I don’t know everything that’s going on in her life.

“Great? Really?”

I push my feelings away, conjuring a wide smile when my mother turns to face me. “I wanted to book us a hotel, but shewanted to stay with Hunter and Charlotte to catch up with the kids.”

“She’s a sweetheart. You know she’s always welcome here.”

Of course, I do. She practically lived here back in high school. Back when she wasn’t mine. Which makes the situation a little complicated.

“I know. She knows, but it’s kind of awkward with Jacob in the house.”

My mother scoffs. “Nonsense. It wasn’t before.”

I suck in a deep breath, preparing myself to spit out the next couple of words, because I’m done pretending otherwise. “Yeah, but now she’s mine.”

My mother’s eyes almost fly from her skull, and I brace myself for judgment. Or at least some kind of comment about how me stealing my brother’s girl is crossing a line, but instead, the shock on her face turns into a teary smile and happiness drips from her gaze.

“You’re together?” she whispers.

Pride swells in my chest, and I nod.

She nods with me, hand on her heart, and a sense of relief washes over her features. As if this is something she’s been waiting for, and finally the day is here.

I bite my lip to hold in the giddy feeling my mother’s nonverbal approval evokes.

Out of everyone who’s gonna have an opinion about this, hers is the one I value the most. Seeing her standing in front of me with nothing but love aimed my way, well…it boosts my confidence.

“Hello, Mama.” Jacob enters the kitchen, and the warmth in the room is replaced with an icy feeling when I look at my brother kissing my mother on the cheek. “What are you two chatting about?”

He’s looking all sophisticated, with his black slacks and a dress shirt to match. His blond hair has always been a bit longer than mine, and it’s smoothed over his head in one of those rich prick styles.

My spine tenses, my hands balling into fists. He drops his sorry ass across the table from me, a sly grin sitting in the corner of his mouth.

Instantly, I want to punch him.

“What are the two of you chatting about?” Jacob asks.

My mother glances over her shoulder, aware of the sudden tension crackling through the air, but trying to smile it away. “Jason told me he saw Julie in LA. They flew home together for Hunter’s birthday.”

“Did they?” Jacob cocks his head at me, slouching in the chair with his arm on top of the back.

We’re twenty something and supposed to be mature human beings, but staring at my brother sitting at the kitchen table like he’s still a cocky jock in college makes me roll my eyes. Kids are supposed to grow up, become more sensible, more understanding.Act like adults.But though we all got a little older physically, mentally, he’s still the teenage prick he’s always been.

He tilts an eyebrow in question, a dare flickering in his eyes.

---