Page 40 of A Reason to Stay

“What do you mean? You’re going to stay up there?” She sounded suspicious.

“Maybe. I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it. But…” I looked up to see Drew reading to Matthew. Jacob was trying to chew the book. Matthew whacked his hand out and hit Jacob in the face, and Jacob started crying.

I sighed. “It’s been really great to have Drew’s help, and the boys deserve to have their father around.”

My mother’s comment must have attracted my dad, because his voice came on the line next.

His voice was harsh and grated on my nerves even before I processed what he was saying. “Maria Steel, if you don’t return to school and finish that damn degree, you’ll owe us the money from your first year.”

My stomach dropped. My parents had pitched some of my tuition, since my scholarship only covered about half of it.

“And you know if you don't finish, the school will make you pay back your scholarship money.”

“I know, dad, but there’s a college up here. I could transfer and—”

“Absolutely not. I’ll hear no such thing.”

“Dad,” I snapped. “What the hell makes you think I care about what you want?”

They were quiet on the other side.

“I haven’t decided anything yet. But I do know I'm staying here for Christmas.”

“Maria,” my father started. He had a warning in his tone. I cut him off. He was three states away and had zero control over me, and he hated that.

And I didn’t give afuck. What was he going to do? Hang up?

I felt my control slipping and let them hear the brunt of my frustration. “This ismylife, and my son’s futures, and you don’t get to dictate it. If you want to visit the boys, make the trip and come visit. There are plenty ofhotelsaround,” I added, making it clear they would not be staying with us. “We’d love to have you. And I’d love the boys to get to know you. But I have a right to make this decision on my own, and you and your whims are not going to have any part in what I choose! Now, if you’ll excuse me, dinner is ready, and I need to take care of my boys.Goodnight.”

Smothering a growl, I tried not to slam the phone back on the receiver. Something heavy landed on my shoulder.

“Oh!” I shouted and whirled around, but it was just Drew. I held my hand to my chest. “Andrew, my God you scared me.”

“Sorry, Sugar, I was worried about you.”

I leaned against the counter and covered my face in my hands and took a deep breath. My talks with my parents always left me flustered, but today was worse than normal.

“If you think it’s the right thing to go see your parents for Christmas, we—”

“No! Absolutely not. No way, no sir,” I said, laughing to try to hide my emotional distress. I let my hands fall from my face. “We are staying here, we are having alovelydinner at your parent’s house, and I’m going to meet your brother, and spoil my children with too many battery-operated toys that are going to drive me insane, and we’re going to have agreat time!”

By the time I’d let out the last of my energetic rant, I felt tears prickling at my eyes. I covered my face again.

I was so tired. I was exhausted, stressed, hormonal. I hadn’t had any kind of real physical affection in over a year, my parents were being entitled pricks, and I had no idea what lay ahead of me in my life. I felt like I was trying to catch my balance on sinking sand.

I held my breath and tried to stop the tears, but the damn burst when Drew wrapped his huge, strong arms around me, and crushed me to his chest. He smoothed one hand down my hair as I sobbed into his shoulder, feeling completely embarrassed and relieved at the same time.

When was the last time I got a hug? God, this feels amazing.

Even if Andrew didn’t feel the same affection I felt for him, at least he recognized me as human. His comfort may have been a courtesy from him, but it felt like the world to me.

Ask me to stay,I thought to myself.Ask me to stay here, and not go back.Did he hear my comment about not returning to school, and coming to Western Carolina instead? Did he even want that?

Would he tell me the truth if I asked? Or would he tell me what he felt like hehadto say?

After a few minutes, I settled down, feeling more tired than before. I was drained, and with it went the tension that had sat in my chest all afternoon.

“Come on, Sugar, go clean up and I’ll set the table.”

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