Page 128 of Never You

It’s unbelievable how you can basically sell your son’s happiness for politics and still sound so sure of yourself. As if it all makes complete sense. Most parents would put their kids’ happiness in front of their own, but not Kathleen Jensen. To Kathleen Jensen, I’m nothing more than an addition to her perfect picture, an asset gone rogue.

“No.” I raise my chin, even though she can’t see me while I press my back against the grill of Rae’s car, looking at the house.

I’ve only been fortunate enough to have stayed in Rae’s family home for less than forty-eight hours, but it showed me exactlywhat was missing in mine. Rae had given the Lockheart’s a hard time, being the heartbroken little girl that she was, but they continued to stay by her side no matter what she did.

And even now, after all these years, they treat her like her own. My parents failed to give me even a fraction of the love she still gets every day. The affection, the encouragement. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it will never be my life. It’s probably going to push me into therapy at some point in my life, but I can settle with that.

I will not settle with my mother telling me what to do any longer.

“No?” My mother sounds surprised.

“I’m not getting back together with Emily.”

“Jared James,” she huffs, a little indignant this time. “You’re not serious, are you?”

I hate it when she calls me by my first name. But then again, I hate it when she calls me.Period.

“Dead. I’m done, mother. I’m sure dad will become governor without my fake relationship.”

I wait for her to throw a fit and start screaming in my ear, but she stays quiet.

“I see,” she finally says, her voice soft and warm, making my brows knit together. My heart rate speeds up, realizing something is off. My mother isn’t soft and warm.

A sigh sounds in my ear. “Okay, Jensen.”

My eyes widen. “Okay?”

You know when someone says one thing and you hear something completely different? She might not be standing in front of me, showing me the expression that comes with it, but my gut tells me this is not an actualokay.

It’s not anokay, let’s do that.

Or anokay, I understand.

No, it’s anokaythat makes goosebumps trickle over my skin, my brows plowing together. An ominous feeling building slowly in my stomach, as I purse my lips in anticipation.

“I guess we can figure something out.”

“We can?” I sound like a fucking dumb fuck, but I’m honestly flustered.

“Yes. I suppose we can.”

“What’s the catch?” I ask, suspicious.

“Nothing. I know you never really liked Emily. I’ll let her know. Are you still coming to New York?”

A little confused, I clear my throat. I blink a few times while my hand goes through my scruff, and a weird sensation seems to surround me like a cocoon. I’m waiting for the relief, the happy feeling that I’d expect to settle in as soon as I told my mom how I really felt, but I’m just standing here… and nothing. Nothing happens.

“Actually, no. I’m going to stay in North Carolina for a while.”

“With that girl?” Disdain is clear in her voice, igniting my annoyance.

“Her name is Rae,mother. And yes. She’s my girlfriend, and I want to see where this goes.”

“Probably to shit,” she mutters.

I roll my eyes, a tightness forming in my chest. I do my best to keep my mouth shut, taking this win without making things worse. I’d expect her to go ballistic, so I should be happy with the outcome of my rebellion. Part of me is even wondering why I didn’t do it earlier, but I still can’t lose the nagging feeling.

“Anyway,” she continues, “I’d appreciate it if you’re home next weekend. We will announce your sister’s engagement.”

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