Page 37 of The Rescue

“Hello, you must be Crystal’s older brothers. She’s told me so much about you, dinna fash I’m looking after her. Not in thatkinda way, I assure you it’s strictly professional,” he smiles at my brothers.

Well if that wasn’t clear enough that nothing is ever going to happen between us, I don’t know what is. I swallow the disappointment and try not to let it show on my face.

“Did anyone understand what he said?” Creed asks with a smile on his face.

“Not a word,” Cain laughs.

“Oh, shut up, you three,” I say.

“We’re just teasing, nice to meet you Rabbie. Look after our little sissy, will you,” they act all macho and tough.

“I can look after myself, jerks,” I stick my tongue out at my brothers.

“Is that my baby girl?” I hear a deep voice come from behind my brothers.

“Hi Daddy.”

I smile as I see his white hair appear above Cain’s head, they look exactly alike, a carbon copy. He’s aged a little bit since the last time I saw him, but he’s still the warm, quiet giant that I love dearly. We have an unspoken understanding that my mama can be a difficult person, and we quietly acknowledge that it’s best to ignore most of the hurtful comments that come from her mouth. Me and my dad are her usual targets, her three wonderful sons can do no wrong in her eyes.

“Can’t wait to see you at Christmas, baby girl. I love you,” He tells me before disappearing.

“Love you too, daddy.”

My dad is an old timer, he doesn’t know the first thing about video chats so he keeps it brief, which I appreciate.

“Is that my sweet baby girl?” A shrill voice cuts in.

I instantly tense up, and Rabbie’s hand squeezes my shoulder, for a millisecond I’d forgotten he was still here. Hepeers down at me with a concerned frown. I hope she’s nice to me in front of him.

“Hi Mama,” I try to sit up straighter.

“Move over boys, let me see my baby girl,” she tells my brothers.

‘Yes, Ma’am. We’ve got work to do, come on, boys. See you at Christmas, Sissy.” They all give me sympathetic looks because my brother’s know I don’t like to be left with my mama for too long. Maybe she’ll be polite to me with Rabbie being here.

My mama appears on my computer screen, looking as perfect as ever. Full face of make-up, her long blonde hair curled and neatly styled, not a single hair out of place. She’s wearing a cream sweater, and her sparkly diamonds. She looks like she just stepped out of a magazine.

“Oh, look at you. Still wearing that heavy eyeliner, I see.”

I shift in my seat and try to let her snide comment roll off my back. Rabbie’s hand is still firmly planted on my shoulder.

“Hello, Mrs Clark. It’s finally nice to meet you, I’m Rabbie,” he smiles at her.

My mama practically drools over Rabbie, and I don’t blame her because he’s utterly gorgeous.

“Have you finally found yourself a gorgeous man? Am I finally gonna get some grandbabies?’

My mom claps her hands together, her long red nails looking fresh.

“No mama, Rabbie hired me to make his website,” I try not to roll my eyes at her.

“Well, time is ticking, honey. You’re not getting any younger. You’ll die alone if you keep waiting.”

“Mama, I’m twenty-five. I’m not going to die alone.”

“You just have to pick one honey, you don’t have to love them. Heck, I didn’t love your daddy when I met him.”

I twitch at the thought of marrying a man for convenience, it makes me sick to my stomach. Rabbie still has his large hand firmly on my shoulder, which is weirdly comforting. He keeps squeezing it, the pressure is reassuring and supportive. Although it was wishful thinking that my mom was going to refrain from making so many hurtful digs in front of him, it has me a little embarrassed.

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