“Not me. I’m one floor up. Worst case, Justin can drive y’all home.”
“I was joking. I think we can handle a pint or four of Ben & Jerry’s. We did survive Vegas,” Voodoo jokingly said.
“Hey, you’re making a Vegas joke. Is the world coming to an end?” Byte asked.
“I guess that depends on if you blow the town up after meeting your mother. You aren’t going to go armed, are you?”
“Lord, Voodoo. I don’t even own a gun, so that would be a no. However, I will be armed with the facts. She has a lot to answer for.”
“Just take a breath and listen to her. I know this is going to be hard, trust me, I know. We all know. It’s hard to overlook someone’s neglect, or omission in our lives, but sometimes there are valid reasons why things happen as they do. Just keep an open mind. You’ve got this, girl.” Ivy reached over, gave her friend a tight hug, and promised to be ready when she called.
“And don’t think we won’t know when you get home,” Voodoo said, pointing at the cameras outside their doors.
“Unless I deactivate them first,” Byte replied and waved the ladies off.
After closing the door, she leaned against it and realized it didn’t matter what her mother said. Her life was good. She might have had struggles along the way, but she was a survivor, and she’d survive seeing her mother twelve years later.
Donning her armor—leather pants, blue lipstick, sharp tongue—Byte left her apartment and headed to the safe house Seven had sent her mother to.
She sat a couple of houses down, letting her anxiety ease. Before she got off her bike, she looked once more at the text message she’d received earlier from Hunter.
Believe in yourself and remember who you are. Your mother no longer holds the power to hurt you. Remember, I’m a phone call away.
Before she could answer, he sent a second message.
Better yet, I’m a few miles away. Your place or mine.
Such a dork. She didn’t respond except for the thumbs-up she sent. She didn’t know how to respond. Did she send a heart, letting him know how much his words meant? Did she text him anokay? Or maybe just saythanks? Too many questions, so she went with the least romantic option, a thumbs-up.
Who’s the dork now?
“I’ve got this.” Or so she thought, until her mother opened the door and all her memories came flooding back.
Before her mother said a word, Byte said what was screaming in her head.
“I hate you.”
She turned around and walked back to her bike.
Screw this. I don’t owe her anything.
So why am I not driving off? Why am I sitting here, staring at the woman crying into her hands, and why do I care so much?
CHAPTERFORTY
Rosemary stood at the door watching the daughter she’d left behind storm off. She didn’t blame her; how could she? Danielle didn’t know the whole story, but if she’d give her a chance, she’d tell her everything.
She watched as Danielle’s emotions changed from anger to frustration and finally defeat when she stepped off her bike and walked back up to the door.
“I do hate you, just so you know.”
“I know, and I understand.”
“Good, because nothing you say today is going to undo all the damage you caused by walking away.”
“I know that too. Would you like to come inside? Or we can sit on the porch if that makes you feel better.”
Byte wondered if going inside and seeing her sister would be her undoing. Instead of risking a meltdown, she opted to stay outside.