Page 25 of One More Round

I’m hiding my new bag of M&M’s in the back of the cheese drawer in the fridge when I hear Morgan open the front door.

She had a day date with Dex, which is why I offered to do the grocery shopping for the week. When I’m out, I always stock up on my guilty pleasure: M&M’s. Peanut are my favorite, but I love the caramel ones as well. I pour them in candy dishes in the living room and on the island in the kitchen. I can’t keep them in my room because I’ll find myself eating them late into the night and, well—I hate working out, so it’s better that way.

I can see she is on the phone just as she mouths to me that it’s her dad, and she continues on to her room.

I snag a handful of M&M’s and head to the couch when I hear my phone ring from my purse.

As I dig it out I see my mom’s name on the screen.

Shit. I don’t want to deal with this right now. But if I don’t answer, she’ll keep calling me. So, I head to my own room to face whatever this call is about.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Gia. Hi. I’ll keep this short.”

“Great. I’m fine, thanks for asking,” I mutter.

“I don’t have time for attitude, dear. I want to know why you haven’t called your brother yet. I understand you are busy with work and can’t make it home for a visit … but, you know, your father and I have obligations to our jobs as well and we have no problem making Todd a priority. You haven’t even called him. He’s doing so much better now that he’s back on his meds and staying with us. But he thinks he means nothing to you.”

Alright, this is purely a guilt-trip call.

“Mom. You know he means something to me. And I’ve told you repeatedly why I don’t like calling him. He’s mean and lashes out at me.”

“Well, if you’d call him more, he wouldn’t be so mad.”

I roll my eyes, ready for her to continue but she doesn’t. I snag the opportunity to explain again.

“Look. Todd and I have issues, we’ve had them for years and I’ve tried over and over to tell you and Dad about them. But like always, you think I’m the problem when clearly, I’m not.”

I start to hear sniffs. Shit. She is crying.What the hell?

“I just,” sniff, “don’t understand why you,” sniff, “hate him so much. He’s your twin!”

To say that I'm used to this would be an understatement.

I know she doesn’t mean to blame me, but she is just so wrapped up in all things Todd that she doesn’t see the truth. Logically, her guilt trips do nothing for her; I don’t give in, but it still weighs on my heart. And sooner rather than later, I’ll get a nasty call from Todd because my mom will tell him that she has “tried so many times” to get me to call him. Those are the calls that really knock me down.

I let out a sigh. “Mom, I’m sorry you are upset. I’ll consider giving Todd a call. But please understand that me not calling him has no effect on his well-being.” Honestly, he couldn’t care less about me, he’s doing this all to screw with me.

“That’s all I ask, sweetie. It just hurts me so much to see you both so at odds.”

Cue another eye roll.

“OK, well his doctors think he may be ready to move back into his apartment in a few weeks. He’s doing really well.”

“That’s great, Mom,” I offer.

We end the call shortly after, as I realize, once again, she didn’t ask about what was going on in my life. She’ll remember in a few days though and send me a text to ask.

Chapter Thirteen

Gia

After my phone call with my mother, I’m in a state of anxiety. I have to stay put in my room. Morgan knows me well enough to know when something is wrong, so I just need to avoid her. I’m trying to watch the newest season ofFuller Houseon Netflix when my phone pings with a text. I casually find it in my rumpled bed and see a number I’m not familiar with.

1-234-5555:Hey.

Uh, yeah, this must be a wrong number. I swipe the text to the left to delete it. Now, focusing back on the show, I really just wish DJ would pick a guy. I used to love Steve but now, being presented with a smart, way sexier vet, I’m so rooting for Matt. Several minutes go by when my phone pings again.

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