Page 76 of Toxic Obsession

Footsteps sounded, then the mystery chef appeared. “She helped, but I enjoyed cooking for everyone. It’s been a fucking minute, huh?” My mother wiped her palms on a beige dish towel before she flung it over her shoulder.

My mouth hit the damn floor as I fixated on a woman I thought was my mother, but it had been so long since I’d seen her looking like a human being, I wasn’t sure.

“Mom?” I looked at Janine for an explanation. “What’s happening? And you really shouldn’t be cooking. You’re going to hurt yourself and burn our home down the second your alcohol lights up.”

Quinn placed his hand on my lower back, offering me support. I’d told him all about my mother on the drive, so he had an inkling of how shocked I was.

Mom gave me a sad smile. “I’ve been sober for five weeks. Not long after you left, I went to my first AA meeting.”

“You’re serious?Nowyou’re sober?”

“She is. I was afraid to tell you,” Janine admitted, grinning. “I’m so proud of her. She’s taking care of the house again and looking for work. Wyn, we have our mom back.”

My heart fucking broke, the pieces of it falling at mine and Quinn’s feet.

“Janine, take Quinn to my bedroom.”

“But—”

I spun on her so fast, I almost lost my balance. “Now.” I said through clenched teeth.

Quinn kissed my cheek before he followed Janine up the stairs. The moment they were out of earshot, I stomped over to my mother. “Two months does not make you a fucking mother. What you did to us is unforgivable. We needed you, and you hid in a goddamn bottle. Now I come home a few months later, and everything is fucking roses?No. And Janine thinks you’ve won the battle. You and I both know alcoholism is a lifelong fight. Don’t you dare jerk her around like that, you selfish—” I caught myself before I called her a bitch.

She wore the guilt like a weight on her shoulders, aging her beyond what time could ever do. Her face was a mask of sorrow and rage, her inner turmoil seeping through her pores like acid as it slowly dissolved her from the inside out until there was nothing left but a shell of the woman she’d once been.

“I know, Wyn. I’m so sorry. Losing Ky and your father destroyed me, but I’m really trying to get myself back together. For you. For Janine. For me. I understand that you won’t forgive me, but I hope with each passing day, we can find some common ground to meet on. I love you, Wyn, and I’m so happy you’re here for a few days.”

She hugged me but my arms remained at my side, my body stiff with tension and fury. “If you hurt her again, you’ll never see either of us,” I said quietly. “That’s a promise you can take to your grave with you … the one right next to your son.”

Breaking free from her, I rushed to the front door, desperate to have a minute alone to pull myself together.

A gust of wind whipped around me, blowing my hair into my face as soon as I stepped onto the porch. The tightness in my chest almost made it impossible to breathe. I shivered, grateful I hadn’t taken off my coat yet. Listening to the soft pitter-patter of rain falling, I wondered if I would be able to walk back into that house.

How could Mom just get out of bed not long after I left and put her life together? A tear snuck down my cheek, and I angrily wiped it away. Crying wouldn’t solve anything. Feeling childish for wanting to grab my boyfriend and leave, I remembered that I was here for Janine. She would need my help and support if Mom returned to drinking.

I heard the door open behind me, but I didn’t turn to see who it was.

“I’m so sorry,” Janine said. “I thought you would be happy.”

My stomach twisted with regret and sadness. “I know, but there’s just too much bad shit with her.” I choked on my words, my shoulders shaking with my sob.

Janine wrapped her arms around me, and we clung to each other. I wasn’t sure how long we stood there, but my cries finally ran dry.

“Are you and Quinn leaving?” Janine released me, worry flickering in her expression.

“No. I came here to see you. I wanted you and Quinn to get to know each other.”

“Yeah, when you told me about Quinn? That was a whole lot of crazy-in-a-handbasket conversation.”

I twisted the corner of my mouth. “Guess we both took each other off guard.”

“Well, he’s hot as sin, so I can understand why you fell for him, but why did you have to fall for Bell’s brother?” She let out a low whistle. “That’s some intense shit.”

I nodded. “I know. But it’s working, and he …” I looked at her. “He told me he loved me a few days ago.”

Janine’s face lit up. “Wyn! That’s amazing.” Her excitement faded, and she quirked a brow at me. “Do you not feel the same?”

I shrugged, staring out across the street to our neighbor’s muddy yard. “I care about him, but I’m scared.”

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