Page 56 of Breaking Storm

“James.” My mom’s eyes flick to the side window. “He knew it would crush me that I couldn’t be at the wedding.” Her head falls against the headrest and rocks toward me. “I’m sorry I missed it.”

I pat her leg. “Don’t be sorry. I was forced into the marriage.” Her head lifts in surprise, so I rush to add, “But it turned out to be one of the best things for me. Do you remember Teagan Malone?” She bobs her head. “That’s who I’m married to.”

She wears a huge grin when she says, “Tiny Teagan? You had the biggest crush on her.”

I’m amused by her comment. “Yes, I did.” We cross over the Michigan border. “And now I’m in love with her.”

My mom holds my hand. “That’s wonderful, Joey.” From the corner of my eye, I see her gulp hard as she looks out at nothing in particular. “All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. To have a family of your own.”

I nudge her. “Hey, you’re part of our family.”

She shakes her head. “No. A wife doesn’t want her mother-in-law around.”

“Teagan isn’t like that. You’ll both love each other.”

For the rest of the ride, she tells me how lonely she’d been in the house. My old man wouldn’t allow her to have any friends. Sometimes the guards would talk to her, but most of the time, left her to wander the house alone. She spent hours cleaning, baking, cooking, reading, and watching television. If it was nice out, she’d go into the yard or take a walk with a guard. She lived a sheltered and hollowed life since my father tore her from me, but that’s going to change because I’m giving her everything. She won’t ever want or need anything again.

We stop at a motel and cross the street to a diner. I order cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. For how thin my mom is, she could use the calories even though she’s only able to eat a few bites. We talk about when I was young. The places we visited. What we’ve missed… or more like what she’s missed. We were robbed of time, but we still found ourselves laughing. Our discussion continues across the street in the motel room we share because she is too afraid of being by herself. In the early hours, when we exhaust ourselves from talking, my mom falls asleep in my arms, thanking me for saving her.

With only two hours left to get to the lake house, it’s early afternoon when we arrive. My mother’s face drops as she peruses the house. Her hand finds mine, and she gives it a little squeeze.

“You’ve done well for yourself, Joey.”

I drape my arm over her shoulders. “Get used to it, because this is yours, too.”

As if on cue, the front door opens, and Sean and Teagan take cautious steps outside. I wave them out, and my mother’s eyes fall on them as they walk toward us.

My arm stretches in their direction. “Mom, this is my wife Teagan, and my best friend, Sean.”

Teagan puts her hand out, but my mother shuffles over and pulls her into a hug. “Teagan.” She pats her hair down. “Beautiful, Teagan.” My mom holds her at arm’s length. “My, how you’ve grown.” She takes Teagan’s and my hand, looks to both of us, and says, “Thank you for caring for my son.”

Teagan shoots me a look and I shake my head. She’s assuming my mom’s referring to James’ beating, except I left that out. There’s no reason for her to know about it.

Teagan holds my mom’s hand between hers. “It’s so nice to meet you. To have you with us.”

My mother swore she wouldn’t cry anymore, except Teagan breaks her resolve as her shoulders heave up and down, tears pouring from her. Teagan wraps an arm around her shoulders and directs her into the house.

When they pass Sean, my mom stops, takes his hand, and says, “Another handsome man. How are you doing, Sean?”

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Fine, ma’am.”

She waves his comment away. “Please, no ma’am. It makes me feel old.”

“Yes, Mrs. Cooper.”

She leans into him and says, “Call me Kara.”

My mom releases Sean’s hand and wraps an arm across Teagan’s back. Sean and I follow behind them. Inside, there’s something cooking in the kitchen, the table is set, and we all stand around, glancing at each other. It’s surreal. Odd.

Teagan breaks the ice. “Why don’t you all take a seat and help yourselves to a salad? I’ll check on the soup.”

Teagan is at the stove, and I press my chest to her back and wrap my arms around her waist, whispering, “I missed you.”

Her hand curls up to touch my face. “I missed you, too.”

Being away from Teagan for one night drove me nuts, and I’ve waited to have her nearby. In my arms. My bed. Buried inside her. Ignoring the fact my mom and Sean are in the kitchen, I spin her to face me and kiss her hard. My mouth is grappling for every taste of hers. I finally got the best of James, so the adrenalin and nervousness are subsiding. In its place, a hunger for Teagan erupts inside, and I have to suffice my appetite for the moment. My hand slips underneath her shirt, and she gasps, wiggling out of my embrace.

She hisses, “Joey. They’re sitting right there.”

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