Page 131 of Fierce-Hyde

She had every right to feel pissed off.

“Hi, Tori,” her mother said. “What are you doing calling me in the morning?”

“Do you have a few minutes to talk?” she asked.

“Are you going to finally tell me about your boyfriend?”

“I didn’t know you were interested in Hyde,” she said. “The first few times I’ve brought his name up you’ve changed the topic or had to run.”

There was silence on the other end. “You don’t normally date anyone.”

“Not true,” she argued. “I just don’t normally tell you because I never get a chance.”

“Why is that?” her mother asked.

It’s not what she wanted to get into. “Because when we talk I’m usually dealing with one of your issues.”

“I don’t have any issues,” her mother said. “I’ve got a job and I’m paying my bills. I appreciate you covering my rent for this month, but I’m working a lot of overtime and able to put more money away.”

Heaven forbid her mother would offer to pay her back.

She wouldn’t ask either.

The fact her mother was trying to put money away was a good thing.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’m calling to talk about Dad?”

“What about him?” her mother said. “I thought you haven’t had any communication with him since high school.”

“We text a few times a year,” she said.

“You never told me that,” her mother said, her voice rising. “Why not?”

“Because it’s a birthday or holiday wish. I don’t consider that much of a conversation.”

“I didn’t even know you did that,” her mother said. “Not sure why he had to cut you out of his life like that.”

“I’m going to find out,” she said.

“You’re going to talk to your father?” her mother asked. “Why?”

“Because he called me the other day and he’s sick. It’s not good. I don’t know everything and that isn’t why I’m calling. He said he’d like to see me, and if not, to at least talk. I took the trip before I start my new job on Monday.”

“You didn’t tell me you got a new job,” her mother said.

“I told you, Mom,” she said. “In a text and on a call. But it was in between guys you were talking about and your job.”

There was silence on the other end.

It was the story of her life.

It felt as if neither of her parents ever put her first.

They didn’t even listen to her enough to put her first.

But Hyde wanted to come with her and she said no.

Was he upset? Yeah, he was. But he let her do it alone.

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