Page 70 of Forever To Me

Itake a deep breath before pulling up my mom's contact. I know this isn’t going to be a fun conversation to have. No mother wants to get this call. Maggie asked me to call her and tell her what happened. Maggie's handling everything so well, but talking about it seems to make her upset so I offered to do it. Currently her default is pretending that nothing happened and going shopping for new things. I’m not judging her; it’s been awful, and I’ll do anything she needs to make it easier.

The phone rings three times before my mom picks up.

“Violet?" Worry fills her voice, and I brace myself as she asks. “Is everything okay?”

I exhale slowly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yeah, Mom. I’m okay. Maggie’s okay, too.”

A pause. “Did something happen?”

Damn. Her mother’s intuition is strong today.

I close my eyes and press my fingers to my temple. “The Dogwood burned down.”

Silence.

Then—a sharpinhale.

“Oh, honey,” she murmurs, her voice softer now. “Are you both safe? Where are you? Why didn’t she call me?”

I shift on the bed, curling my legs beneath me. “We’re staying with… a friend of Maggie’s. We’re both okay. Maggie’s just been busy.”

Technically, it’s not a lie.

Mom exhales, relieved but still rattled. “Thank God. I was already worried about you being out there, and now I’m even more worried. And I feel terrible for Maggie.”

“Really, we’re fine, Mom,” I tell her. “I’m still with Maggie.”

I don’t mention Walker.

I don’t mention his big house on the edge of town, or his quiet protectiveness. The way he gave me that guitar like it meant nothing, even though I know it means everything. I’m still trying to figure that one out.

She doesn’t need to know any of that.

“Well, as long as you’re okay.” She hesitates, then lowers her voice. “You’re planning on staying, aren’t you?”

I look around the bedroom where I’ve slept since the fire—the soft, lived-in feel of the place, the way Maggie already put fresh towels in the bathroom like she knew I’d need them. I think about the groceries I picked up earlier, already planning to make meals for everyone this week. Walker’s kitchen is a dream kitchen to cook in, and I can’t wait to try it out.

I think about Mack and how she hugged me before bed last night. I needed that hug. God, I really like that kid.

I think about Walker and how he hasn’t once made me feel like I don’t belong here.

I don’t answer right away.

But I don’t deny it either.

“Yeah, Mom,” I say softly. “I think I am. I really like it here.”

"What happened back in Nashville to make you want to leave? Did you break up with Brice?" she asks.

"Yes, we're done," I say softly. Something in my tone must make her stop pushing because she doesn't ask details. But my mom has always known when to back off, and I love that about her.She’s nosy, but she doesn’t push. She knows I usually tell her when I’m ready.

We talk for a while and catch up, and after I hang up, I sit cross-legged on the bed, my new notebook in my lap.

I lost the songs I was working on in that fire.

Thankfully they’re still in my head. These songs aren’t gone like the ones stolen from me before.

I need to get them down before they disappear and or get buried beneath the weight of everything else that has been on my mind.

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