Page 81 of All Along

Mom shakes her fist at me. “How dare you? How dare you tell lies to the town?”

Weston saunters our way. I didn’t realize he’d arrived at the bar already. He hitches his thumbs in his duty belt and stares down my mom. “If anyone is lying, it’s you. Not Maya.”

Dad frowns. “Maybe we should go.”

“Good idea.” Weston nods. “Run away before Caleb arrives.”

“This is ridiculous!” Mom stomps her foot. “I’m allowed to have a conversation with my own daughter.”

My anger ignites. It’s like a fire in my belly. The door flies open as Caleb arrives but I ignore him. I lean close to hiss at my mom.

“I am not your daughter. You were never a mother to me. Sophia’s mom was my mother. She’s the one who explained things when I got my period. She’s the one I went to when the bullies started attacking me. She’s the one who fought for me when I was wrongfully accused of cheating. She’s the one I love.”

“Lily always did think she was better than the rest of us on the island.”

Caleb sidles up to me. “You’re done. Leave now or I’ll have Weston remove you.”

“You can’t have us removed,” Dad sputters.

“I can,” Harper pipes in. “The management reserves the right to refuse service to jackasses.”

Weston removes his handcuffs from his belt and twirls them in the air. “What’ll it be? Walk out of here on your own or I remove you? I know which option I prefer.”

Dad grabs Mom’s upper arm and steers her toward the door. “I’ll be speaking to the mayor about this.”

“I’ll phone Lana and let her know to expect your call,” Weston hollers after them.

The door shuts behind them and I collapse into Caleb’s arms.

“You okay?”

I start to say I’m fine but stop to consider his question. To my surprise, I am okay. I’m not devastated my parents don’t love me. Because I have the love of a whole bunch of people who deserve my loyalty. My parents do not.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll probably have moments when I yearn for my parents’ love all over again but I will work my ass off to ensure those moments remain moments. I’m done with the all-encompassing yearning I’ve been feeling for years.

“Yes.” I smile up at him. “I’m okay.”

“Proud of you, Bunny.”

Tingles spread through my body until I’m vibrating with happiness. Having the man I love be proud of me is the best feeling ever.

A champagne cork pops behind me.

“We definitely have something to celebrate now!” Sophia shouts.

I giggle. My friends are the best.

Chapter 28

“Where’s a fire alarm when you need one?” ~ Maya

Maya

Caleb opens the truck door for me and grasps my waist to lift me down. I shiver. I love it when he demonstrates how strong he is. I can’t wait for wall sex. Although, I haven’t pushed him on it since I don’t know the extent of the injuries on his leg.

I frown. He’s still holding back on me.

“What’s wrong?” He scans the area for threats.

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