Page 94 of Control Us (Next Generation 1)

Mom laughed, wiping the tears from under her eyes. “I remember Angel and Dale stood back and laughed while I yelled at Asher. Which would have been funny to see I’m sure, since he’s so much taller than I.”

“Exactly. And look what you’ve done for me. Hell, the shit I put you through when I was younger. And, you’ve stood up to Stone for me.”

She frowned. “You know about that?”

I nodded. “I was in the bathroom and overheard you two talking.”

She sighed, leaned back in the chair, and rested her head against my shoulder. “I understand he’s protective, but I think he worries too much.”

“I would never hurt his daughter,” I told my mom. “She told me she loves me.”

“Really?” Mom sat up. “What did you say?”

“I told her I care for her. Which I do. But I don’t know if it’s love. Could it be? Yes. Even I know it could definitely turn into love.”

Mom smiled. “I’m—” She frowned, glancing past me.

“What is it?” I followed her gaze, finding… “Clara.” I stood from the chair. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to drop lunch off for my mom. She’s one of the nurses on this floor.” She peered around me before looking back at me. “I’m sorry to interrupt. But I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

Mom came up beside me. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Brogan. Zach’s mother.”

“Oh. I’m Clara.” Clara returned the handshake. “It’s nice to meet you. Although, I wish it could be under better circumstances.”

“Right.” Mom held Clara’s hand a little longer than deemed necessary, her dark eyes boring into the woman the twins had tried setting me up with. “How do you know my son?”

“We…uh…” Clara’s cheeks turned pink.

I placed my hands on my mother’s shoulders, pulling her away from Clara. “The twins set us up on a date but that was after Luna and I started becoming closer. So I told them no.”

“But Ashton never told me that it was cancelled.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. Ashton’s an ass. Love that kid.” Mom shook her head. “But definitely a shit disturber.”

“We’re just friends,” I told her.

Mom glanced up at me then. “Good.”

“Will you give me a minute?” I asked my mother. “And then I’ll check with the doctors and see what we can find out on Dad.”

Mom nodded. “Okay.” She slowly turned away and headed back to one of the seats.

I grabbed Clara’s arm, pulling her out into the hall. “Listen, now’s not a good time. My dad…”

“Is he okay?” Clara asked, her brows narrowing in the center.

“He had a heart attack and we don’t—”

“Oh, Zach.” She threw her arms around my middle, knocking me back a step. “I’m so sorry.”

“Uh…I…” I cupped her neck. “Thank—”

A gasp sounded.

I glanced up, finding Luna staring directly at us.

Oh.

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