Page 557 of One More Kiss

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“Oh.” Her expression cleared. “Okay, cool.”

She turned her attention back to the TV, and my mom tipped her head toward the kitchen. “How about a cup of tea?”

“That'd be great, thanks.” I took a seat at the table, watching as she swiftly readied the water then poured it over the tea leaves.

“Want to talk about it?” She slid the mug my way and I wrapped my hands around the porcelain, gratefully soaking up the warmth.

I shook my head. “I don't even know where to start.”

“The beginning is usually a good place,” she offered as she slid into the chair next to me. Even when I got pregnant at nineteen, my mother had never judged me. She offered her opinions freely and without reservation, but she was perpetually calm and always kept an open mind.

With a sigh, I relayed the story. She knew about my history with Blaze, of course, so I told her all about the drugs, and Mick’s denial that he had anything to do with them. Once I was done, I sat back and wiped away a stray tear. “I just don't know.”

My mother was silent for a few seconds. “Do you believe Mick was telling you the truth?”

Now that my mind wasn't so muddled, I was seeing things a little more clearly. “I do, actually.”

She gave a slow nod as she studied me. “So, what are you going to do?”

“I don't know,” I said glumly.

“You're more than welcome to stay here,” my mother offered. “Take tonight to make up your mind, then talk to him tomorrow and clear the air.”

I nodded. “I think I will, thanks.”

I made up the couch in the den with a sheet while Maddie took the love seat. She was asleep almost before I turned the lights out and I lay staring at the ceiling, my mother’s advice swirling through my brain. I'd talk to Mick tomorrow, get a straight answer once and for all. I hated the distance between us, hated the doubt that had crept in.

The secret I'd been carrying all day weighed even more heavily than before, and I rested one hand on my stomach. I'd been down this road once; I couldn't bear for it to happen again.