Page 119 of Outlaw Heartstrings
My chest clenches.
My mother and I haven’t talked about what’s going onwith Easton and me. But the woman is no fool. I know she sees it. Anyone could see it.
Easton is always at my place, whenever Jagger and I aren’t at his. The three of us are virtually inseparable these days. And when he comes over, he stays late into the night, long after Jagger is asleep. If that wasn’t a big enough clue that Easton and I are more than just friends, then the fact that I’m spending a weekend away with him is a dead giveaway. So I really should stop playing dumb.
Even still, I can’t admit to what’s really going on. Not even to myself.
So I flat-out lie to my mother. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t have feelings for Easton.”
Mom speaks gently and patiently. “If you won’t be honest with me, at least be honest with yourself, sweetie.”
When she says that I pause, giving the acid in my bubbling tummy a moment to settle.
Oh my god—I can’t outrun these feelings anymore.
I love Easton. I love Easton. I love Easton.
There’s no way around it.
My eyes burn and prickle as tears begin to gather. “What will people say, Mom?” That’s the first thing that pops out of my mouth. “Easton is my nephew’s father. What will people say? Especially after all the controversy that’s already plagued our family over the years.” This will just be another scandal to dogpile on top of the rest.
My mother’s sharp intake of air rings out over the phone line. Her next words startle me. “The one thing I learned throughout the whole shitstorm with your father, is to stop giving a fuck what ‘people’ say. The ones who love you, will rally around you no matter what. The ones who love you, will care more about what makes you happy, and not what society dictates. And I love you, no matter what, Alba.”
“Oh, Mom. I love you, too. But what about Raya?” I croak.
Mom spits out a little laugh. “Raya has never had a problem putting her wants and needs first. I love your sister, but if she’s upset over this thing with you and Easton, it may be time for her to learn that her selfish decisions have consequences. She doesn’t get to have her cake and eat it, too.”
A whimpering breath leaves me.
“I see the way you’ve worked tirelessly to keep this family together when everyone else abandoned us. And you deserve to be happy now. You deserve to have help. You deserve a soft place to fall. And if Easton is that soft place for you, then I’ll rally around the both of you.”
A shuddering breath leaves me and tears start gathering in my eyes. For so long, my mother’s wobbly shoulder was the only one I could lean on. I feel so much relief, knowing that she still supports me.
And now, I have Easton. I want to hold onto him. For as long as I can.
“I appreciate your seal of approval, Mom."
“You always have my support, sweetie.” Mom’s voice cracks. Then she clears her throat. “Look, I have to go to bed. Jagger and Cameron are putting on a puppet show for all of us in the morning. I can’t be dozing off during their performance.”
I laugh, feeling a little better. “Bye, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you, too, honey. Have fun, okay?”
“Okay.”
The call disconnects.
I hustle across the room to the dresser, and grab a tissue, blotting my eyes dry. I can’t be crying now. Not when Easton is in the bathroom, keeping his promise to run me a bath.
I’m standing at the mirror, trying to save my makeup from becoming a smudged mess when I hear movement behind me. I watch Easton’s reflection as he comes up and wraps his arms around my middle, pressing a kiss to the base of my neck.
“Ready to tick another fantasy off your wishlist?” he asks me quietly.
I grin, turning to face him. “Oh, hell yes.”
I let him lead me across the suite to the bathroom. When I step inside, my jaw unhinges on a gasp.
Clusters of candles in varying sizes cover every surface. Vases bursting with white roses are everywhere. There’s a charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, meats and crackers, along with a bottle of champagne in an ice-filled chiller bucket.
