Page 2 of Old Flame

And I did. Then she left me one year later. She graduated, got a scholarship in art, and went off to pursue her dream. Momma was so fucking proud. She was getting to do what Momma had always wanted to do herself. But instead of getting to create art for a living, Momma had had to settle for teaching it to high school kids. Which was how she’d found Salem. How she’d saved Salem from an abusive home and brought her into hers. Salem had become ours.

Bending my head, I pressed a kiss to her lips, wishing I could pull her against me and taste the candy sweetness of her mouth. But now wasn’t the time. I’d been gone too long. Mom needed us.

“Let’s go,” I said, then reached down to thread my fingers through hers before leading her down the hallway that wouldhaunt my dreams.

Salem’s tiny hand squeezed mine, and although simple, it gave me strength. She’d be there with me through it all. When my world was yanked out from under me and Momma was…gone, I’d have Salem to help me find a way to make it without her.

When I had been three years old, the man who had helped create me left Mom for his younger secretary. He’d gotten her pregnant and wanted to have a family with her. Although I knew Mom had left the door open for communication, he never contacted me, reached out, or tried to have a relationship with me.

It was just me and her.

Every football and baseball game, she’d been there. Cheering me on. When I was sick, it was Mom who took care of me. When I’d decided college wasn’t for me and I chose not to take the baseball scholarship to the University of Florida but instead became a motorcycle mechanic, she’d stood by me.

She wanted me to live the life I chose. Not one she chose for me.

The only thing in my life that I’d wanted that she didn’t approve of was Salem.

Mom loved her like her own daughter and had worked hard to get Salem a scholarship so she could do something with her gift. That was what she called Salem’s art—a gift. She swore she’d never seen someone so young who could create such intense emotion with the stroke of her brush.

“She’s young, Rome. And her soul has been damaged. It’s one of the reasons her art is so deep, so moving. And you, my beautiful boy, want different things. You see life in another light. One she doesn’t fit into. There is only heartbreak in your future if you continue this. Let her go now before it’s too late. Before you love her.”

That had been the month before Salem left for college. I’dwanted to laugh. Before I love her? I’d been in love with her since day one. That ship had sailed before I took my next breath. I’d never had a chance to not fall in love with her.

Stopping outside the door that led into Mom’s room, I prepared myself for the frail woman who was lying inside on that bed. She looked nothing like the vibrant, smiling beauty she had once been. Cancer had taken its toll on her body.

Salem pressed a kiss to my biceps since her head barely reached my shoulder, and I pushed the door open, then stood back for her to go inside first. Mom’s eyes were closed, and if it wasn’t for the heart monitor, I’d think she’d passed on. So pale and still. So fucking small.

Salem let go of my hand and went to her side. The sway of her long black hair brushing against her back, hitting just above her narrow waist, gave me something to focus on besides my mother dying in the bed.

When Salem’s hand touched Mom’s, her eyes opened, and she smiled.

“Aren’t you a sight?” Mom said in a weak voice. “Just get lovelier every day.”

Salem sat down in the chair I’d been in all night, holding Mom’s hand. “Vanna Rey, flattery will get you everywhere,” she teased, bringing a laugh from Mom’s dry lips.

“I’m glad you came,” she told Salem, her eyes saying things I didn’t want to hear. That I couldn’t accept. Not yet.

“Where else would I be?” Salem asked, the emotion heavy in her voice, although she was trying to keep it light.

“Oh,” Mom said, “setting the art world on its ear with your gift perhaps.”

Salem let out a chuckle. “I’m just trying to get through Professor Gildon’s Digital Communication’s class. You know I am terrible with technology.”

Mom’s smile widened. “Born in the wrong century.” She toldher that often.

Salem sighed. “You just think that because I can sing more ’80s rock songs than you can.”

More laughter from Momma.

Seeing her eyes lighten with amusement lessened the tightness in my chest. Salem was good for her. Hell, she was good for me. She was the fucking sunshine, and when she walked into your world, she brightened up areas you hadn’t even known were dark.

“I’m going, Salem.” Mom’s words took on a serious tone that I didn’t want to hear. “And I want you to promise me one thing.”

Salem didn’t speak; she just nodded. I knew she was fighting back tears.

Mom picked Salem’s hand up and placed it between both of hers. “Share your gift. Live the life it can bring you. Live your dream. Chase it. You deserve it. My body might have failed me, but just because it’s leaving doesn’t mean I am. I’ve got you two to watch as you find your way in this world. I’ll be there, even though you can’t see me cheering you on. So, give me something to cheer for.”

Salem’s shoulders shook. She nodded as a sob escaped, and her free hand flew up to her mouth to muffle it.

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