Page 35 of Toxic Salvation
“Jackass,” I hiss back.
“Can you two stop your bickering?” Mom sighs. “Cancer doesn’t affect my hearing.”
I take a deep breath and dive in. “Mom, I’m moving in with Kovan. And you’re moving in with me.”
Mom’s eyebrows knit together as she studies both our faces. “You and Kovan are back together?”
I turn to Waylen for backup, but he just shrugs.Jackassmight’ve been too kind.Cowardis better.
“It’s complicated. The thing is…” I’m actually sweating. In places I didn’t know I could sweat. “Can you help me out here?” I jab Waylen with my elbow the same way he jabbed me.
He lets out an exaggerated grunt. “Vesper’s pregnant.”
“What?!” Mom’s gasp echoes down the hallway.
I spin around to glare at him. “Seriously?That’show you wanted to handle this?”
“You asked for help,” he replies, unrepentant. “This is me helping.”
I turn back to face Mom’s shocked expression. “I know this is unexpected. It was for me, too. This wasn’t exactly planned, but?—”
“Oh, honey…!” Tears fill Mom’s eyes, but she’s smiling wider than I’ve seen her smile in months. Maybe ever. “Are you really?”
“Yeah, Mom.” I rest my hand on my stomach. “You’re going to be a grandmother.”
She grabs my hand and pulls me toward her with more strength than she’s shown in weeks. The joy transforms her entire face, erasing years of illness and grief. “This is the best news I could have asked for. I’m going to be a grandmother. I’m going to watch my baby girl build a family.”
Waylen makes a face, and I elbow him again. Thankfully, Mom’s too busy dabbing at her eyes to notice.
“I’ve been so worried about you this past month,” she continues. “It was obvious you were struggling with something. But I’m so glad you decided to work things out with Kovan.”
“Mom, I’m not sure we should assume?—”
“Family is everything,” she interrupts. “I know you’re married to your career just like your father was, but you need someone to come home to. Even when things were difficult at the hospital, your father always had me. And now, you’ll have Kovan.”
She’s gripping my hand tightly, and I can feel the hope radiating from her. So I take the wimpy way out and stay silent, letting her believe whatever makes her happy.
“Are you ready to see Kovan’s place?” I ask. “There’s a beautiful room waiting for you.”
She beams. “I’m ready. Let’s get me out of here.”
Waylen falls in beside me as we resume our trek toward the discharge desk. “That went smoothly.” His sarcasm is thick despite the fake smile he’s wearing. “Why don’t you start planning the wedding? That’ll really sell the happy family picture you’re painting.”
“I’m not painting anything,” I snap. “She drew those conclusions herself.”
“And you didn’t correct her.”
“She has cancer!”
“Coward.”
I smack his arm. “Until you’re in my position, you don’t get to judge.”
He snorts. “I would never be in your position because I would never sleep with Kovan. He’s not my type.”
“He’severyone’stype,” I mumble.
Waylen points at my face. “What was that?”
