Steven & Merc right…”
I remember the shit Casey said weeks ago about Nathan. With an urgency and a sense of foreboding bearing down on me, I flip through the papers faster. I see dates of meetings, then underneath there’s a word written in John’s handwriting. ‘handled.’
“…Nathan Montague was blackballed. Apparently, he couldn’t get any work in Cali for the past few years…”
Holy shit.
I grab the photos again and I see Mia and Nathan laughing together. She’s wearing her ballet leotards, her eyes so bright and alive, my chest tightens on a breath I can’t release.
Then there’s Nancy’s medical records that show she was diagnosed with ALS more than three years ago. And now, she only has a little over two months left to live.
The fucked up thing is, Mia probably doesn’t even know and right now, she can’t stand to be in the same room as Nancy.
This summer’s going to fucking hurt her like nothing in this world.
I gather all the papers scattered on his desk then pack them back into the folder, but I don’t put the damn thing back in the drawer. Instead, I make sure to leave it on top of his desk. I want the asshole to know that I know what he’s been up to all these years.
My dad’s the reason why Mia’s been suffering all this time., caring for a woman who lied to her all her life. It’s a burden that I don’t even know what to do with it. Do I tell her? That will just break her further which would be stupid. Liam’s been scrambling all week to care for her, bringing her food, hanging out with her trying to make her interested in life more.
Then there’s me and checking in on her at midnight like a fucking stalker.
Fuck, I don’t even know what to do here.
Closing the damn drawer, I suddenly hear loud voices like someone’s screaming. I run to the kitchen only to stop in my tracks when I notice Nicky crying, Mia’s just standing there looking at her shoes like it’s interesting. John is practically fuming, his jaw locked but Liam…
“You’re not our mother and honestly, you’re not even hers, so don’t stand there and try to tell her what to do.”
Quickly assessing the situation, I keep my mouth shut, waiting for Nicky to respond.
“Well, I’m not talking to you,” Nicky hiccups, then glances at Mia. “Sweetheart, please let me talk to you. You’ve been avoiding me all week.”
“That’s because she doesn’t have anything to say to you,” Liam counters, a smirk on his afce. He notices me standing behind Nicky and John but doesn’t alert anyone of my presence.
“Liam, stop being rude,” Dad chides but his voice is weary.
“Come on dad. No one’s being rude here,” he shrugs. “I’m just stating the truth.”
“Mia.”
“What?” she finally snaps, looking up, her eyes cold and empty like she’s lifeless. Nicky gasps when she sees the look in her eyes.
“Honey, you’re going to let him speak for you?” she questions, stepping forward. “Is that how you’re doing things now?”
Liam looks at me, narrowing his eyes on Nicky.
“What do you mean by that, step-mommy?” he starts, voice low and he walks over to stand right beside Mia. “We’re all family here. Family looks out for each other.”
“Mia, what’s going on here?” Nicky stutters, glancing at her fiancé who just stands there, silently watching Liam.
“I don’t know, honestly.” Mia shrugs, her gaze connecting with her aunt/birth mother like she’s looking at a complete stranger. “You just accused me of letting a guy speak for me like I’m stupid, so I don’t know what’s happening.”
“I didn’t say that at all.” She scrambles to explain. “Are you two friends now? Is that it? Are you so mad at me that you’re looking for solace from just about anyone?”
Liam chuckles, but doesn’t say anything.
“Because I remember you never wanted to come here, sweetheart.” Nicky explains. “And I thought you hated them.”
“Nicky, Nicky, Nicky,” Liam belts out like he’s on a fucking Broadway stage for amateurs. “The daughter you threw away could be friends with the devil himself, before she ever forgives you for what you did.”
“I’m not her daughter.”
“Ouch.”
“Mia.” Nicky starts crying. “Please, let me talk to you.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” Mia says then she looks up and sees me. I notice the tension leaving her body, holding my gaze.
“But you’re friends with them now? You hate them!” Nicky shrieks “I know a lot has happened but don’t make a rash decision...”
“Rash decisions?”