Page 4 of Follow Me to Your Heart
As if you make time for me.
“I’ll let you know. I should be finished with my last client around five, and I’ll have to take a Journey to the restaurant, unless you’re coming to pick me up.”
“Why would I do that, Korren? I live ten minutes away from Titan’s. No one told you to move to Harley Grove when you could’ve easily stayed in Camden Cove,” Mom expressed with a hint of disapproval in her tone.
“Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to do. My daddy and brother support me, so I don’t understand why it’s so hard for you to.”
I had a feeling the conversation was about to go left. Anytime I brought up my father, Mom would get in her feelings.
Mom huffed and said, “I do support you. You’re my daughter. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you don’t agree with my choice.”
“Just because we don’t always agree doesn’t mean I’m not proud of you and don’t want what’s best for you. I need to go, but I’ll see you later. Don’t be late, Korren. I’d much rather you be early than on time, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It took everything in me not to launch my phone across the bathroom. With my head leaned back, I closed my eyes and counted backward from ten until I felt at ease. I hated how easy it was for my mother to get under my skin, but it had been that way for as long as I could remember.
Growing up, my mother usually pushed me in ways my father didn’t, and it caused them to bump heads. I was a daddy’s girl through and through. He was truly my best friend along with my older brother. I clung to them, and I believed my mother didn’t like it. When I was seven, they got a divorce. Daddy got full custody of us. Words couldn’t express how elated I was to be with him full-time. I loathed the weeks we had to go with my mother.
For some time, I tried having a relationship with her. I wanted to have that mother and daughter bond, but she was too busy trying to make me live the life she desired for me. She was too busy trying to make me become her, and I refused.
Several knocks at my door jolted me from my thoughts. I quickly finished changing then jogged to my door to let Taylor in. Her bright smile was contagious as she held out an iced coffee and muffin.
“I figured you could use this since it’s early as hell, and we don’t have class today,” she explained, blowing me kisses.
“Oh, you’re a life savior. Thank you so much, Taylor. You deserve a discount on your nails for this.”
Taylor shook her head, and her short, honey-brown bob caressed her face with each sway. “No, ma’am. You know better than that. Just because I’m your friend doesn’t mean I deserve any special treatment whether I come with treats or not. I’m always going to pay you full price because you always give me full service.”
“That’s why I love you.”
I threw my arm around Taylor’s neck and kissed her cheek.
Taylor was one of my best friends. I’d met her during campus tours last year, and we immediately clicked. She was originally from Harley Grove, so when I made the commitment to attend school here, I would visit often to get familiar with it. She and her family welcomed me with open arms into their home during that time, and we’d been stuck like glue since.
I got set up in my designated corner while filling Taylor in on my conversation with my mother. I’d vented to her plenty of times about how Alana could be. One thing I loved about Taylor was that she’d let me know whether I was right or wrong in the situation. She wouldn’t sugarcoat anything, which was exactly what I needed.
“For her to randomly reach out and demand dinner, you don’t think something is up with that?” Taylor questioned, sipping her coffee.
“You know I do. The only time she wants to spend time with me is if she needs something. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case now.”
“Me either. Are you going to go?”
I hunched my shoulders and finished wiping my table down. “I don’t know. I don’t want to, but she’d never let me live it down if I didn’t. I slightly miss her. It’s just hard when I miss her and she ruins the feeling.”
“You want me to go with you? Be a spy in the corner or something?”
Taylor got up and hid behind my couch, peeking over it as if she was an actual spy or something. Her actions mimicked Lil’ Kim, and I fell over laughing. There was never a dull moment with her.
“Girl, come over here before I run into my next appointment. You know how we get, and I can’t lose out on any money.”
“I’d never let you do that. But also . . .”
