Page 52 of Broken By the Bad Boy

“Not to me,” I whisper.

The leftover excitement dies, and I wait for her to finish this conversation. “Does Ben even know you’re going to New York? What will be his reaction? What if he decides to stay back there in SF? Tessa, you know I love you, and I’m only looking out for you, right?” It doesn’t seem like that right now, but I nod. “Just be careful, okay?” I nod again. I think my new least favorite phrase is:be careful. “Take your time. Don’t plan your entire future around one guy. It’s too soon.”

There’s nothing wrong with that, especially if the same person is planning his future around you.

“Thanks.” Maria smiles, but I find it hard to reciprocate it. I throw a look at my closed door. “Sounds like Mom is calling me.” If she sees through my lie, she doesn’t show it. I wave at the screen. “Bye.”

The screen goes black, and my fingers weave through my hair. Ben only said it once. I shouldn’t let them bother me. It’s not a big deal. I sweep my hair over one shoulder and take a deep breath. Taking out the box holding the wristwatch, I put it inside my bag alongside Ben’s puzzle for tomorrow. A notification from YouTube leads me to open the app. I grin at my screen showing two female taekwondo fighters in a battle for the championship. I’ve been watching a lot of fights to perfect my axe kick. It’s the best kick when your opponent is so close, and you cannot escape.

The door creaks open. Mom’s head pokes in. Her eyes rake my room before they return to me. I turn my seat to her. She comes in and shuts the door behind her but doesn’t step away from it.

“You missed a class,” she says.

My hands drop to my legs. I open my mouth and close it. Mom cocks her head. “I didn’t.”

We hold each other’s gaze. She points to my laptop, which has gone to sleep. “But you just said—”

“The feds,” I chip in. Her brows shoot up, but I maintain eye contact. I shut down the laptop and slide it into my drawer. Moving to the bed, I fluff the sheet and pillows to appear busy. “I miss the feds.”

She sashays toward me. Her hands lower to my shoulders, forcing me to straighten up. “The feds?”

I take another step back to create more distance. Mom’s gaze bores into me, and I vomit another lie. “It’s a show we used to watch together.”

Guilt twists my insides when she squeezes my shoulders again. “I know you are young and in love.” She tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear and offers me a small smile. I relax a little. “You want to do everything all at once. That’s totally okay, but school is more important. At least, right now.”

My shoulders sag. I don’t know why I bother lying. “I know,” I say. “I only missed one day.”

Without being told, I know the importance of school. Besides, I’m almost done. Why fuck it up now?

“And it will be the first and the last?” she adds.

“Yes, Mom.” Relief washes over her face, and she releases me with a nod. “Don’t tell Dad.”

If she knows, Dad knows, and he won’t let me off easily. Mom opens the door and takes a step out. I follow suit. Stretching a hand to me, she says, “I won’t. If you promise it will never happen again.” It was fun while it lasted, but we won’t repeat it. “Come, your dad is waiting downstairs.”

I slide my hand into hers, and we head to the dining. Dad is eating. Mom and I ate earlier. He nods in response to my greeting through a mouthful of pasta. Mom leaves me on the other side of the table to sit beside her husband. It’s not normal for him to be at home at this hour, but I don’t mention that. Not until he finishes eating. I chew my lips while he eats. He finishes up, and Mom clears the table. Seconds after, she returns to the table smiling with a bottle of nonalcoholic wine.

“Your Dad has good news for the house.” They share a look, and mom’s smile grows. My feet drum into the floor. She opens the wine and pours us a glass. If she’s this happy, then it’s great news. She takes one sip first, then asks, “Should I tell her, or do you want to do us the honors?”

Dad wipes his mouth with the napkin. Mom giggles. She takes Dad’s hand, and my heart melts. Ben might not want to be like his parents, but I want to be like mine. To always be in love, no matter our age.

“Your Dad got another promotion,” Mom says with a small squeal. She claps so fast her whole body vibrates. I try to stand to hug Dad, but she holds up a hand for me to remain seated. Her grin makes me more eager to stand, and I bang my fists on the table in protest. “That’s not the best part, Tessa.”

“What is?”

Anticipation knots my joints. I have trouble sitting still. I flatten my hands on the table to keep calm.

“Mom!” She’s a mini-drama queen. That’s why she gets along with Maria.

Seeing his wife is too giddy to talk, Dad swoops in. He lowers a hand to the table, and I place mine over it.

“I got a promotion and a transfer.” His smile is so bright it can light up a room, and my lips pull into a tiny smile. “With the transfer, I get to spend less time at the hospital.” He looks at Mom a second time, and they get lost in each other’s gaze until I cough to announce my presence. They can get distracted later. Dad tries to hide his grin. “I’ll be home early for dinner. Breakfasts too.”

“Really?” I ask. My eyes water. Dad’s chair squeaks as he rises to his feet. He crosses over to my side to pull me into a hug, and his thumbs swipe under my eyes. It is so rare to have him at home.

He is a wonderful dad, but he’s always away. I throw my arms around his shoulders, and he lifts me onto his lap. It feels like I’m his little girl again, and we are bonding. The tears roll down my cheeks shamelessly as he rubs my back.

“Congratulations,” I say through my tears.

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