Page 58 of Broken By the Bad Boy

“Just cool?” She folds her arms under her boobs and scoffs. “Is this because of Benjamin?”

“Ben,” I correct.

“Ben,” she mutters with mild disgust, like the name annoys her. Maybe I am reading too much into her facial expression. My palms are fast growing clammy. I wipe them on the sheets and hug a pillow to my chest. “Your Dad found a school for you. It will help your application to NYU.”

Her voice is heavy with disappointment, and I squeeze the pillow as if it will protect me from her words. Mom is not angry, but she is not happy with me either. A sad smile touches her lips, and she shakes her head.

Her hand sweeps over my room. “You want to throw away your future because of a guy? A guy you just started dating.” Tears trail down my cheeks. “We raised you better than this, Theresa.”

“Mom… you know I want to go to NYU. You know I would gladly…” My voice cracks, and I clench my hands at my sides. She pulls me into her arms and strokes my back. “I don’t want to leave Benny. I love him.”

Ben’s dad left, not by choice, but he left either way. His mom too. I can’t break his heart.

Mom laughs so hard that I disengage from the hug. “Oh, Tessa.” She palms my cheeks, searching my face. I purse my lips, and she laughs harder. “I will see what I can do. Don’t—” A wide grin breaks out on my lips, and she holds up a finger. “Don’t get too excited yet. I’ll talk to your dad.”

I nod fast, and Mom sneers. She’s the only one who can convince Dad. I am staying with Ben. We will figure out NYU when it’s time. For now, we will enjoy the rest of high school together.

“I love you, Mom,” I tell her. “You are the best mom in the world.”

Mom gets off the bed. I lie on my side, my chest bursting with pride. “You should get some rest.”

Staring into Mom’s eyes, there’s a hint of sadness in them. My throat clogs. In my excitement, I forgot to consider what this might mean for her and Dad. If Dad stays back, he will lose the job in New York. That means late dinners and no time for his wife and kids. We will be back to square one all over again.

“Mom? It’s fine if we move to New York.” Her brow knits, and I try to play it off. “I shouldn’t throw away my future for a boy.” Ben is not just any boy. Still unconvinced, she nods. “Love you.”

She places a kiss on my temple. “Love you too. Get some rest, okay? Your dad leaves in the morning.”

Darkness descends over the room once Mom shuts the door on her way out. I retrieve my phone under the second pillow. There are three missed calls and a text from Hayden. I roll my eyes at the message blaring on my screen. He’s an ass, but I love him.

Hayden: sorry Tee

Me: asshole

My phone pings. The light from the screen illuminates my face. I chuckle. Yep, he’s an idiot.

Hayden: guess that means I’m forgiven

Me: maybe

Hayden: PS: if I’m an asshole, you’re also an asshole because we share the same gene.

Hayden: Did you talk to mom?

Me: yeah. I want them to be happy too.

Hayden: we will figure something out.

I doubt that, but I let myself believe it. I tap on Ben’s name. My fingers hesitate to hit send on the long message I composed. A second later, I delete the sentence and type something shorter.

Me: are you awake?

Benny: barely. Wassup?

A sigh leaves me, and a weight settles in my chest. I hate keeping secrets from Ben. Staring at the screen for so long causes my eyes to water. I will have to tell him on Monday. We can spend the week together.

Me: the ceiling

Benny: smarty pants. Wassup with you?

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