Shock - Marie Johnston Page 0,72

that’s the best I can do.

I do truly hope his custody fight is going well.

Mom puts the book down. “No word from Ford?”

I know she’s been dying to ask since she arrived last night. Dad’s meeting up with some old high school friends and Mom and I just got back from Mrs. Rosenthal’s. I lost at cards again. But I’m learning who my mom really is besides a powerhouse politician.

She’s funny. She’s sincere. She’s invested in who she’s talking to. I can see why she’s always voted back in. Mostly, I can see that she wants a better relationship with me.

I haven’t gotten one Samuel update since Ford and I broke up.

She even went geocaching with me yesterday. I picked a simple one at a local park. It was the first time I’d gone since that day Ford and I had sex in his car where I didn’t stare at the cache and think about every second.

“We’re over.”

She drags in a breath and blows it out. “Tell me again why you insisted on staying here and not moving?”

I shoot her a hard look. We had such a good day and now rain clouds are building over my head again. “I told you why.”

“Right, but with Samuel it was because you were living a life you didn’t want.” She sweeps her arm around the room. “Isn’t that what you’re doing here?”

I swallow hard. “I’m happy.”

“Oh, honey." She takes a step closer. “You’re miserable.”

“It’s too late,” I whisper. “He’s moved on.”

“How do you know?”

“He hasn’t called.” Total radio silence. He walked out of that hotel room and he was done with me. He even found someone to work his last week. We never saw each other before he left, he made sure of it.

“He’s also been hurt terribly before, by someone he loved. I imagine he’s more than a little gun-shy.”

I sniffle around a scornful laugh. “Now you’re on his side?”

“I admit he won me over at the gala.”

“You never told me that.”

She tilts her head. “It wasn’t exactly the time.”

And this isn’t exactly what I want to hear. “What am I supposed to do, Mom? I’ve started my classes. I’ve signed on for three years. I’m committed.”

She lifts her chin and speaks like the stern senator she is. “I’m disappointed. How can you be my daughter and not realize that every contract can be broken?”

Hope sparks in my chest and I squash it. “I’m sure he’s—”

“Yes, moved on. You keep saying that, but you don’t really know, do you?” She closes the distance between us. “If you’re worried about money, don’t be too proud to ask us. We’re here for you. We’ve saved for you. There’s a whole fund that didn’t get used for law school.”

That…would be a lot of money. “I can’t.”

“Why the hell not? Your father and I haven’t worked this hard to let you settle for a future you hate. You can afford to do whatever you want, move wherever you want.” She lifts a regal brow and crosses her arm. “Then maybe you can be with whoever you want.”

Love isn’t the problem. My mom’s offer doesn’t change anything. Months have gone by and Ford hasn’t contacted me.

He’s also been hurt terribly before, by someone he loved. I imagine he’s more than a little gun-shy.

I could do worse than swallow my pride and reach out. I could send him a message like I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing? God, that’s so lame.

Then he could tell me to fuck off, since he’s against ghosting those kinds of messages.

But then I’d know for sure.

I look for my phone.

Ford

I throw on my boots and beeline to my bedroom to change. At some point, I should quit picking up shifts and working overtime. But it’s not like I have anything else to do, and I need the money.

The retainer for my case is a fortune and I can’t find a lawyer who can help me before my son is ready for college. The house hasn’t sold yet, but there’s a serious offer pending approval from the bank. I’d like to say I’m hopeful, but the last few months haven’t given me much to hope about.

I rub my eyes, toss my phone on the bed, and strip down. It buzzes before I jump in the shower but I don’t bother to look. At this point, no news is good news.

Cass won’t talk to me, so unless it’s her offering profuse apologies, then I don’t care.

I towel off and find a