house.”
Colton let’s out a chuckle. “Yeah, I’ll be outnumbered.”
Mrs. Lawson takes another step closer and slowly lifts a hand to my face. I instantly stiffen, bracing for the worst. But then she tenderly brushes the bangs away from my forehead.
“I hope you’ll feel right at home with us, and if you need anything, you can tell me,” she says.
I nod, and not used to affection, especially from a mother figure, my chin begins to tremble.
Mrs. Lawson slowly pulls me into a hug, and fear makes my heartbeat speed up. I stand frozen as she begins to rub a hand up and down my back.
Then something strange happens, and warmth begins to spread through my chest from her soft touch. Embracing Mrs. Lawson feels so different from hugging Colton.
It becomes more comforting.
It’s everything I ever wanted from my mother but never had.
She smells like flowers, and she feels like… a mom.
Overwhelmed by feeling the gentleness of a real mother’s touch, tears flood my eyes because it feels so good. It’s so soothing.
She doesn’t snap at me for being over-emotional. She doesn’t accuse me of being dramatic.
She just holds me and continues to rub a gentle hand over my back.
When Mrs. Lawson pulls back, there’s a motherly smile on her face, and her eyes shine with unshed tears. She lifts a hand to my hair, and again she brushes the strands away from my eyes. Then she glances around the room. “I think we should go shopping to get a few things for the room. You know, to make it yours.”
“Okay.” There’s a fluttering of excitement in my chest, easing some of the tension I feel.
“Maybe something to hang on the walls? And fairy lights? What’s your favorite color? We can get a new bed cover and pillowcases to match then.”
My eyes dart over the room, and a million thoughts pop into my head. Still too overwhelmed, I can’t voice any of them, so instead, I mumble, “Anything will be great.”
“We can make it a fun project.” Then she grows serious. “Is it okay if I ask you a couple of questions?”
I nod and nervously clasp my hands together. Colton just sits on the bed watching us, but knowing he’s here makes me feel safe.
“You’re a senior, right?”
“Yes, I’ll be eighteen soon.”
There’s relief on her face as she says, “That’s good news. When’s your birthday?”
“September twenty-third.”
Her mouth curves into a smile again. “Oh, Colton is October twenty-third. It’s an easy date to remember.” Then she adds, “It’s in two weeks. We’ll do something special and go shopping for everything then.”
I smile at the idea because I’ve never celebrated it before.
“What did your mother say when you left?”
The question makes the smile drop from my face. Ashamed, I answer, “Ah… she told me to leave.”
Mrs. Lawson’s eyebrows dart up, but then she schools her face, hiding the surprise. “Maybe that’s for the best, then she won’t try to fight us for you.”
Her comment makes anxiety worm it’s way back into my chest. “I don’t want to cause you and Colton any trouble.”
Mrs. Lawson waves her hand. “You’re no trouble at all. I just want to be prepared, but with you turning eighteen soon, you’ll be an adult, so I’m sure even if she did make a fuss, everything would work out fine.”
The encouraging words make me feel a little less apprehensive.
“I’ll leave you to get settled.” Mrs. Lawson gives me another sideways squeeze before she leaves.
Even though the morning was a nightmare, I really do feel better after all the comfort Colton and his mom has given me.
It makes hope find its way back into my heart again that the future might be brighter and that everything will work out okay.
Chapter 13
COLTON
When Mom leaves the room, I glance up to Brie. Michael’s been in the back of my mind all morning. Now that I’m calmer, I feel it will be a waste of my time meeting him. Some idiots just can’t be reasoned with.
“There’s something we need to talk about,” I say, patting the space next to me again. After she takes a seat, I suck in a deep breath, not knowing how Brie is going to react. “I have to meet Michael at Devil’s Bluff after school.”
Her eyes widen on me. “Why?”
“After you left this morning, I got into a fight with him.”
A worried look settles on Brie’s face, and then she asks, “Did you get in trouble?”
“I got off with a warning. But afterward… I was pissed off and agreed to