Page 29 of Return To You

In two weeks, we’re doing our home show, but the boys wanted to come home early to see their families, and begged me to come. I couldn’t say no to them, knowing I was the reason why they barely came here.

It’s just hard because everywhere I look, I see Rose.

Gritting my teeth, I try to keep my emotions at bay as we pull into the driveway of my mother’s new three-bedroom house, which she bought with Nick.

Yeah, they’re still together, which shocked me, but I’m happy for her. She’s changed for the better, stopped drinking, and become someone I’m proud of.

I’m not sure what made her change, but Nick fell in love with the woman she is now, and decided to take a leap in their relationship. It's not a ring, but I think he’s close.

When the car stops, I slap both Barnett’s and Cameron's shoulders, before climbing out as the driver gives me my bag.

“We’ll see you tomorrow at your studio,” Cam says, and I nod, saluting him.

I would have gone straight home, but I don’t think I’m ready to see the place yet. My sister has been staying there since she got kicked out of college last month, but the house is the one Rose and I always talked about. I don’t know why I bought it, but I did, and now I kind of regret it.

“Noah,” My mother gasps as she opens her front door.

I can’t help the smile that comes over my face. She looks healthy and happy; her cheeks are no longer hollow, her hair is longer, and she actually has fucking meat on her bones.

She runs at me and grabs me in a hug, and I hug her back tighter, taking in her cinnamon smell that no longer smells like booze mixed in with it.

“I missed you,” she whispers as she pulls back, and I smile.

“I missed you too, Mom.”

She nods as she looks over my face and chews her bottom lip.

I instantly read her and shake my head. “Mom, please don’t.”

She looks down, pressing her white maxi dress down. “I know you don’t want to hear it; I know you’ve just come home, but Noah, for months, you have blocked my calls, only willing to speak to Nick, and I-I…God.” She looks at me with tears in her eyes. “You’re going to fall apart, son, I know you are. When you realize how big a mistake you’ve made, you’re going to fall, andyou have my genes; you spent five months drinking yourself into oblivion, and nearly died twice.”

I sigh, ignoring her insinuation that I could have an addictive personality, and say, “I’m not the one who cheated, Mom. She?—”

Mom cuts me off, “Just speak to her, please, she’s?—”

I cut her off this time, “No, I’ve spent nearly two fucking years to get to place where I’m no longer angry. Do I hurt? Yeah, I do, but I’m moving on, and you need to as well.”

She goes to open her mouth, but before she can say anything, Nick walks out of the house, grinning. He rushes over and grabs me in a bear hug.

“Fuck, you’re a sight for sore eyes, son,” he whispers emotionally, and I hug him back tighter.

“I missed you too, Dad….”

I hear Mom sniffle, and I smile. She always gets emotional when I give him the title he deserves.

He pulls back and grips my shoulder, noting the differences from when he last saw me.

“Brow piercing, really?” he says as his eyes go to my forearm, noticing the extra roses.

I snort, trying to distract him. “Got my tongue done as well.”

I stick my tongue out to prove it, and he chuckles and shakes his head before looking at Mom, and something passes between them. He tilts his head, and then smirks.

“Noah, I know you’ve just got into town, but I was wondering if you could go to Clark’s bakery for me to pick up the cake order for your birthday so we have it in our freezer, ready.”

Mom gasps, but I don’t think anything of it. Instead, I raise a brow. “You want me to see my birthday cake, really?”

He grins. “Yeah, I do. Your Mustang is in the garage. I moved it when you stupidly allowed your sister to crash at your place.”

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