It was a nice colonial in an older neighborhood with mature trees. It didn’t make sense for a bachelor, but I sensed Jake craved a family as much as I did. He just showed it in different ways. I said my desires out loud, and he showed his by buying a nice home in a family-friendly neighborhood.
There was a car I didn’t recognize in the driveway. I couldn’t remember if Jake was seeing anyone, but he probably wouldn’t tell me if he was anyway.
I got out and made my way to the door when I noticed someone sitting on the porch.
My heart paused when my foot touched the first step. “Mom?”
She stood, looking as uncertain as I felt. She looked older, her face more wrinkled and her hair with a few strands of gray, but otherwise, it was the same person I remembered. The one who loved wearing dresses and showed up at random times to rock my world in the way only she could.
“What are you doing here?” I glanced around, hoping Jake would save me from this conversation.
Mom folded her hands in her lap. “I’m waiting on your brother.”
“He’s not here?” I was confused. What was she doing here, and why now?
Her lips formed a straight line. “Not yet.”
“What do you want from him?” I drew myself up to my full height. My heart might have been breaking, but I’d do anything to protect Jake from her. It was a reversal of our traditional childhood roles, but I welcomed it. It made me feel stronger than I had a few minutes ago.
An engine sounded behind me. Jake’s truck. I didn’t turn around or take my eyes off my mother. I worried she’d disappear if I did.
“I just wanted to see him. To see you.”
My fingers curled into fists. “Why now?”
I hadn’t seen her in years, and I suspected Jake had told her to stay away from me.
She tilted her head to the side. “Can’t a mother visit her children?”
I stepped onto the porch and stood in front of Jake’s door. “Not when she leaves them with their grandmother and never comes back.”
Irritation flitted over her face. “I had dreams.”
“And we were in the way.” I wished she would have been more like Ryan. I wished she’d put us first, but she hadn’t.
A door slammed and heavy footsteps sounded on the wooden steps. “Hailey? What are you—”
His gaze landed on Mom, and the blood drained from his face.
Mom took a step toward him and then stopped. “I wanted to talk.”
“We have nothing to say to each other.” Jake moved to stand behind me, a hand on my shoulder. It felt good, familiar, and comforting.
“Will you hear me out?” Mom asked quietly.
A small part of me wanted to hear what she had to say, even though I knew better than to believe it would change anything.
“Say what you have to say,” I said stiffly.
“Hailey—” Jake started.
I didn’t need him to protect me anymore. “Let her have her say.”
She could say whatever she wanted, and then she’d leave. I’d steeled my heart against hope where she was concerned a long time ago.
Her expression hurt, she said, “I didn’t want it to be like this.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You thought what, we’d always be waiting to see you? That we’d be happy for any scraps you gave us?”