When I was little, Abby would come over a lot after school, or I’d go to her place. But once Kane was away more and more, mom was his unofficial sitter for a few years.
But like I said, that was years ago. And way before I even knew what a crush was, let alone able to even have one for him.
“I thought Jen was helping me out today?” Kane asks my mom, sounding genuinely confused.
“Yeah, sorry, Kane,” My mom says, trying to sound like she means it. “But something’s come up, and I just need Jen…okay?” she asks with a raised brow.
Sounding like she doesn’t want to have to call me over one more time.
I know I have to move, but only to get rid of mom.
I let myself out of Kane’s car and open the side door of my mom’s, but I only stick my head in long enough to say my piece.
“Mom? You’re making an absolute fool of yourselfandme right now,” I hiss. Kane’s gone back to his car, pulling out to give my mom room to leave.
“He already told you I was helping with Abby’s things…andgetting paid for it on my day off from the diner…remember?” I practically shrieked, taking a sharp breath to give her another serving, but she’s not fazed.
“Jen. Jen?” She suddenly snaps, sounding ice cold. “I don’t have time for this shit right now, okay? Just get in the car, and we’ll talk about it on the way,” she says, losing her forced composure by the second.
But something in me, probably knowing that Kane’s so close by and will back me up. I just know I’m not going anywhere without him.
“I’m not coming, Mom. And I don’t want to go back to working for peanuts at that stupid diner either!” I suddenly spit, surprising both of us with my anger.
I feel my face flush with heat, and I can’t stop the tears that follow once I slam her car door.
I want to run to Kane, but I know that would only make all of this worse than it already is.
Mom gives me daggers but shifts her car into reverse before screeching to a halt so she can have the final with Kane before she speeds off.
“You see ifyoucan talk some sense into that girl, Kane. I’ve gotta get to work. And don’t bother trying to find someone else,” she adds. “It’s not your problem. Just make sure that kid gets home safe, will ya?” she finally groans, shaking her head as she peels down the street.
Leaving me in tears, Kane watches her car disappear before he pulls up and moves over to me, guiding me to the front door.
“That went well,” he quips, making me almost laugh even though I’m trying to be upset and angry.
I playfully punch his arm as he opens the door. Needing his arms around me.
“Is she likely to come back?” is the only thing he has to say about it, but I can only shrug in reply.
“I don’t think she would.” I finally sniff after thinking about it. “If she drove all the way out here, she has to drive all the way back, and it’s lunchtime already at the diner.” I reflect.
Wondering. Worrying now out of habit if there really is something else that’s happened.
Otherwise, why would she drive all the way out here to come and pick me up?
But thinking like that and acting like the world’s ending because I told my mom to get bent isn’t worth ruining our day.
“I’m pretty sure she won’t be back,” is the most I can offer Kane, who looks concerned.
He only seems happy when I am. And if I’m not, he does whatever it takes to make me smile again.
We stand in his foyer, and he holds me in silence. Quietly swaying a little in the end before I feel completely relaxed again.
Safe in his arms, feeling like nothing could touch me as long as I’m with him.
“This isn’t really going to plan, is it?” I eventually sniff. Looking up at him.
Already feeling the blowback from not going back to work with my mom.