Page 20 of Where the Little Birds Are (Little Bird Duet 2)

“You could have chosen differently.”

I stand, shaking my head and walking into the kitchen. Reaching for the bag of candy, I tear open one of the chocolate bars. “Are we really going to play that game? There’s a lot of things that could have been different. Corbin could have moved anywhere, but he came to Lincoln. The principal could have asked someone in his own grade to show him around, but he chose me. Gavin could have walked away when Corbin came back, but he opened his big mouth. And you know what else? I could have married Parker, but we weren’t right for each other. Are we going to stand here and go back and forth about what could have happened like that makes a difference?”

Breaking apart a chocolate square, I shove it into my mouth and wait for her to say something. When she leans against the counter and shakes her head, I know she isn’t going to. She’s learned by now that I won’t hear her out when I’ve made up my mind.

Just like her.

I lean my hip against the counter. “I don’t want to talk about this if we’re just going to fight. That won’t lead us anywhere.”

Quietly, she finally asks, “What do you want then, Kinley? Because I’ve stopped understanding what that is a long time ago.”

“Right now?” I shrug. “I want my mom.”

Her hands rest on the edge of the island, her body leaning forward. “I’m right here. You just need to talk to me. Why don’t you ever talk to me about these things before you act?”

Clicking my tongue, I meet her sullen expression. “We never had that kind of relationship. You and Dad never understood how much writing meant to me, but Corbin did. And even though you guys let me go to New York City and meet Jamie and let her represent me, there was always a disconnect. Writing and Corbin have always been two things that meant so much to me that I wish I could have talked about, but it never felt right to do.”

The hurt weighing down her lips has my shoulders dropping. “I don’t k

now what I did to make you think you couldn’t talk to me. I’ve always done my best to let you have control over your life, especially with Corbin.”

“I know—”

“Do you, Kinley?” She backs up and looks around the house, gesturing around with her hands. “We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. You’re young and successful and somebody any parent would be proud to call their child. I’m sorry if we didn’t show that.”

I brush hair out of my face and sigh knowing this is going nowhere. “I’m not saying you don’t care or that you’re not proud.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I don’t want to tell you everything!” I blurt, clenching my fists by my sides. “I like keeping things to myself. It’s easier that way. Some parents have the type of relationships with their kids that are open. Anything is on the table with them. Admit it, Mom. That has never been us.”

“Your brother and—”

“Don’t bring him into this,” I cut her off, pulling out a stool from under the breakfast counter and sitting down. “The reason it’s different between you guys is because you have common interests."

She doesn’t have an answer.

“I’m not mad.” I break off another piece of chocolate and stare at it. “Maybe I used to be but I’m not anymore. It gives me a chance to do my own thing and be proud of my accomplishments.”

Before I can say anything else, my phone begins ringing in my back pocket. Putting my candy down, I pull out my cell and glance at the unknown number. Promptly, I ignore it.

Mom’s brows arch as she gestures toward the device. “Not going to answer that?”

Considering I’m sure it’s Gavin using a new number to reach out to me, that’s a firm negative. “No. I don’t want to talk to Gavin. He knows what he did is messed up.”

She levels with me. “You’ve both made choices that weren’t right. Are you going to blame him forever? He’s your brother.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It—” The same number pops up again.

Mom pushes the phone to me. “Just answer it, Kinley. Is it really worth ruining your relationship with him over?”

“Please stop making light of this.”

She just points to the phone.

Reluctantly, I answer to stall from the conversation between us that’s sinking faster than the Titanic. “Gavin, I’m not in the—”

---