Page 39 of Might as Well

“He’s okay,” she reassures me. Her hug is so warm, so motherly, that the moment she says he’s okay, I burst into tears.

“You’ve heard from him?” I hiccup.

“No, but the team reached out.” Her hands rub up and down my back.

“I can’t lose him,” I sob.

“He’s okay and you’ll see him soon.” She continues to hold me, giving me a similar sort of comfort like Zane does. It seems to take forever before I pull back.

“I’m sorry. I’m being ridiculous, but?—”

“You are not being ridiculous. You’re scared and I understand that.” Her eyes widen, catching sight of my wrist in a cast as I reach up to wipe away my tears. “What happened?”

“I fell,” I answer simply. No need to tell her I was in such a panic over the news that I hurt myself, not once, but twice. Thank goodness the cuts on my feet are hidden by my slippers.

“Have you eaten today?” When I shake my head, she parks me on the couch and raids my kitchen.

It’s a little weird to have his mom here, fixing me a meal, but I’m relieved as well. She wouldn’t be here consoling my irrational fears if her son was badly injured or worse. Graham texted me that she could stay in his room, if she wasn’t going back to Zane’s house, as he is staying at Carrie’s tonight. The improvement in communication makes me so happy, but I can barely focus on it.

Where’s Zane? Why hasn’t he reached out? How is his mom so calm when she herself hasn’t even spoken to him yet? She tells me more stories from Zane’s childhood. She shares her distaste in Zane’s relationship with Deanna as they didn’t understand why he would want to be in a relationship like that. The fact he told them surprises me, especially since he didn’t tell them about me at first. She shares her concern over his behavior afterward.But she also shares her relief that he found me, while admitting that she didn’t feel that way until after Thanksgiving.

It probably helps that we exchanged numbers so I could answer her cross-stitch questions, even though Zane was adamant I didn’t need to do so. I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. I wanted his parents to like me, especially after catching the tail end of the conversation with his dad while they were cleaning up.

Mrs. Landry takes me up on my offer to stay here tonight. Apparently because she knows the first place Zane will go is wherever I am and she doesn’t plan to leave me until he’s back.

The support and love from his mom is something I never thought I’d experience again. It reminds me of how I’d feel with my own mom and grandma when they were comforting me. It puts me on edge in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Where the hell is Zane?

CHAPTER 12

ZANE

Shit. I didn’t think this through. It’s the middle of the night and I stand outside Violet’s door. It’s late, so I’m sure she’s asleep. It pisses me off to no end that Graham isn’t here. I’m sure Violet has seen the news and she’s probably a little freaked out. He should be here with her.

Not wanting to startle her, I’m about to look for a spare key when a light flicks on from somewhere inside, the soft glow illuminating through the glass.

I knock softly and am stunned when my mom answers the door.

“Mom. What are you doing here?”

“I came to sit with Violet until you got home.” She envelops me in a hug as I step into the house. “Glad you’re okay. No injuries?” she asks, looking me over.

“Just a sprained wrist. Sorry I haven’t called. My phone got busted and I haven’t been able to get a new one yet.”

“It’s okay.”

“How is she doing?” I ask, getting to what really matters to me at this point.

“I don’t think she believed me when I told her you were okay. Go on and let her know you’re here; let her see with her own eyes you’re okay. I’m going to get a glass of water.”

Mom steps away from me and I quickly walk down the hallway to Violet’s room. She’s tossing and turning in a fitful sleep. She’s got a cast on her arm and I frown. What the hell happened?

Resting a hand lightly on her hip, I lean down and whisper, “Babe?”

Her eyes fly open. She scrambles onto her knees and launches herself at me. Her hold is so tight on my neck, I worry she’ll cut off my airway. Violet begins to cry and I hold her tight against me.

“I’m fine. I’m right here,” I repeat over and over.

---