Page 21 of Ghost
Ember whips around at the sound of my voice, slightly lifting the bag slung over her shoulder. I’ve got what I need for the day in here,” she says. “The rest is in the car.”
“Parker, your omelet’s ready,” Mom yells from the kitchen, preventing me from replying to Ember, and unlike when I speak, Ember’s eyes light up, and a genuine smile graces her perfect lips.
Rolling my eyes, I ask, “Are you hungry?”
Ember shakes her head. “I grabbed a muffin on the way here. But I could go for some coffee.”
“C’mon, then.”
I move past her to head to the kitchen, and she follows. Mom is sitting at the table, already eating, and as soon as we enter the space, Mom’s eyes widen, and she freezes with her fork halfway to her mouth.
After a moment’s hesitation, she sets her fork down, and the light in her eyes dulls. “What’s this?”
Pushing down my disappointment that her good day might have ended, I reply, “Mom, you remember Ember, right?”
“Hi Mrs. West,” Ember greets. “It’s been a long time.”
Mom glares at her before shifting her attention to me. “What is she doing here?”
Shit. Her memory is still sharp as ever right now.
When I remain silent, Mom rises from her chair and stalks around the table to stand in front of Ember. “You break my son’s heart, and you have the nerve to show your face here?” While it’s a statement of fact—in her eyes at least—it comes out more like a question.
“Mom, ple?—”
“It’s okay,” Ember says, not looking at me, her tone cheerier than the situation calls for. “Mrs. West, you’re right. I hurt Parker, and for that, I’m so sorry.”
Wait… What?
Mom’s expression softens but barely. “Why are you here?”
“I’m here for you,” Ember explains. “Parker thought that I could help you.”
Mom’s gaze whips to me. “What makes you think I need help?”
“I, um…” My throat goes dry, and words fail me.
“Mrs. West, why don’t you finish your breakfast? I’m sure it’ll taste better hot.”
“Fine. But we’re going to discuss this later,” Mom huffs and returns to her food.
I practically drag Ember back into the living room while Mom is distracted.
“I’m so fucking sorry about that,” I say, finding that I mean it. I shouldn’t be because my mom was right about Ember breaking my heart, and she was only doing what mother’s do. But Ember wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me, and being attacked by the person she’s here to help isn’t what she signed on for.
“It’s okay,” she says. “I’m used to much worse, trust me.”
Worse?
The thought of anyone treating her poorly boils my blood, and I mentally remind myself that I have no right to think that way. Not anymore.
“I’ll talk to her, make her understand that you’re not the enemy.”
“No,” she snaps. “I can handle this. I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”
“I never said you did,” I say, my teeth clenched. “Ya know what? Never mind. It doesn’t seem to matter what I fucking do or say, it’s the wrong thing with you.”
Ember’s stiff shoulders drop, the fight leaving her. “I’m here for your mom, not us. Can’t we just keep things professional?”
