Page 67 of Hard Rock Temptation
“Can I ask you for something?” I started.
“Of course, honey, anything,” she replied, squeezing back. She might regret saying that after what I asked next.
“Will you let me hire someone to come take care of you?”
My mom’s face immediately scrunched up, as if someone had waved a rotting fish under her nose.
“Just hear me out,” I continued before she could say anything. “Your health comes and goes, and it’s not predictable. Sometimes you’ll be fine for weeks, and then other times you’ll be ill for days on end. And I’m not always going to be here when that happens. You need someone to look after you.”
My mom opened her mouth, an obstinate look on her face. I powered on.
“I’m not saying you need someone invading your space twenty-four seven,” I explained. “I’d just feel better if you had someone who could be here when I’m not. Someone who could check in more often than I can. I hate the thought that you could be alone here struggling without anyone knowing or being able to help. I hate the thought that something worse might happen if you don’t have any help.”
I didn’t realize how desperate and worked up I’d gotten until my mom put her hand on my cheek and I felt how cool it was compared to my heated skin.
“This really bothers you, doesn’t it?” she asked, unsettled.
“I worry about you all the time,” I told her.
Her hand left my cheek and she looked down at the kitchen table. After a moment she let out a sigh.
“I hate the idea of losing my independence,” she began. “I hate that someone else might invade my personal space. But,” she added, lifting her head to look at me. “I hate the thought of you worrying this much even more. I don’t want to add to your troubles. You’ve had enough of them growing up.”
A spark of hope lit up in my chest.
“So if having someone pop in to check on me will ease your mind, then all right,” she said with a nod. “I’ll put aside my pride and accept help.”
I let out a sharp breath as relief flooded through me. I had been dreading this conversation, not wanting my mom to know how stressed out I’d been over her condition. I’d also been worried that this conversation might turn into a fight, and I didn’t needanother one of those right now. But she had agreed to let me get someone to help her.
“I’ve already done research on some caregiving companies,” I told her. “I’ll email you all the details and you can look through it whenever you’re up to it.”
“Thank you, honey.” My mom gave me an indulgent smile. “I know you only want what’s best for me. Just like I only ever want what’s best for you.”
I smiled back, but then frowned when the smell of something burning wafted from the stove.
“Oh no, the soup,” I groaned. “I thought I turned the burner on low.”
Before I could get up, my phone rang. Rang, not pinged. Someone was actually calling me.
“You take that call while I check the soup,” my mom said, getting up from the kitchen table.
I took my phone from my pocket and glanced at the screen. I expected it to be an unknown number or spam, but when I read the name, my eyebrows flew up.
It was Kaylee’s mom. I hesitated before answering, too curious to let it go to voicemail, and too worried about what this call might mean for Kay.
“Susan,” I said flatly. “What do you want?”
“You’ve always been such a rude boy,” she sniffed disdainfully. “You should be glad I’m calling you first and giving you a chance.”
“A chance for what?” I asked impatiently, not wanting to beat around the bush and spend any more time on this woman than was absolutely necessary.
“A chance to save that little band of yours,” she replied.
I frowned. Did Susan know about the fight? How could she? And even if she had found out, what could she possibly do to save the band?
“Get to the point,” I said, running a frustrated hand through my hair. I hated this woman, but she must have been calling for a reason. I couldn’t just hang up on her, as satisfying as it might have been.
“I know something your record company doesn’t,” she said haughtily. “And if you simply give me what I’m owed, it can stay that way.”
