Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,46

and then I’ll fly out to Black Mountain.”

“No, you won’t,” I growl, my anger quickly raging out of control just from hearing his voice.

“Colton?” Dad asks, and I can hear he’s caught off guard. “Son?”

“I’m not your son,” I grind through the rage, overwhelming me. “Don’t you dare come here.”

My eyes lock on Mom. She’s gotten so much better the past few days. I don’t want him near her.

Or Brie.

God, he’ll undo everything.

“I have a right to see my family,” he snaps.

“No, you don’t. You lost that right a long time ago.” My voice starts to tremble from all the effort it’s taking to stay in control and not lose my shit. “I swear I’ll put you in the ICU if you so much as set foot in this town. I won’t hold back anymore.”

“Oh, that’s rich,” he chuckles bitterly. “Fine, then I don’t see why I have to pay for your sorry ass to attend that elite school. I’ll cut off all financial aid to you and your mother.”

My temper shoots through the ceiling, and I shout, “I’ve never wanted your money.”

Mom grabs the phone from me and presses it to her ear. “Don’t threaten Colton with money. You will pay alimony. My lawyer will be in touch.” She cuts the call and then reaches for me. Wrapping me in a hug, she says, “He’ll be out of our lives soon.”

I shake my head and pull back. “Not as long as we’re taking his money.”

“It’s his responsibility to pay alimony. Let me handle it.”

I stare at Mom, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she really can handle it.

She must see the doubt on my face because she says, “I know I’ve let you down in the past, but I’ll make up for it. I promise. I don’t want you worrying about things anymore. I want you to focus on completing your senior year so you can go to college.”

I shake my head hard. “I’ll get a job. I’ll look after us.”

Mom lifts her hand and places it against my cheek. “My sweet boy. You’ve grown up too quickly.” She shakes her head. “It’s not your responsibility. I know you don’t have much faith in me, but I… give me a chance to be the mother I never was.”

I don’t want to hurt her, but can’t stop myself from asking, “Why now? Is it because of Brie?”

Mom’s eyes lock on mine. “I’m not going to lie to you. Seeing what happened to Brie was a wake-up call. It was hard to accept what was happening to us, but Brie’s circumstances have shined a bright light on it.” Mom’s voice begins to falter, and a tear sneaks over her cheek. “I let him abuse you. It’s one hundred percent my fault. I should’ve protected you and Brady. I’ll never forgive myself for allowing it to happen.”

Emotion wells in my chest, and I clench my jaw.

Mom lets out a sob, then squeezes the words out, “I’m sorry, Colton. I’ll always regret it, but I hope I can make it up to you.”

What about Brady?

How will she make it up to him?

Part of me wants to hug Mom and tell her I forgive her for never protecting us. But, the other half of me is still too angry. Still too raw from losing my brother to such senseless violence.

‘He abused her as well,’ my heart whispers.

Torn in two, I can only shake my head.

I’ve been strong the past four months because I was scared I’d lose her as well. Now that she’s getting better, the cracks are starting to show, and all the heartache is spilling back into my life.

“Please, don’t hate me,” she sobs.

I hate seeing her so upset, and again, I put my mom’s needs before my own, and I pull her into a hug, murmuring, “I don’t hate you. I just need time.”

Mom nods. When we pull back, she says, “I promise to make it up to you.”

Still, I don’t want her dealing with my father alone, and it has me saying, “Don’t make any decisions regarding us without talking to me first.”

Mom nods. “Of course.”

Feeling drained, I start to walk out of Mom’s room, saying, “I’m going to change. I’m taking Brie out so she can show me the town. I think it would do her good.”

“Maybe go see a movie,” she offers an idea.

“If Brie wants to.” I go straight to my room, and shutting the door, I stand and stare at