toward me, always had been, but I still loved her. Despite everything. I desperately wished things were different between us. She was my mother.
“I don’t want you back in this house.” Her words hurt more than anything else she’d ever said to me before. “If you want back in, you’ll go to that recovery center in Texas, just like I said. He’s only a temporary relief.”
“I’m already in AA.”
“You go to that center, Ashton, or so help me god, I’ll cut you off.”
“Ashton—”
“Oh please, Mother, you know I don’t need your money,” I spat, furious at her stooping to a new low to threaten me. “I’ll get my stuff and move out later. Maybe you’ll be happier then.”
“Ashton, I’m doing this for you.”
I turned my back to her, blinded with rage as I grasped Callum’s arm and tugged him along with me. She wanted me out. Then I’d give her what she desired.
“Ashton, don’t leave like this. There are things you don’t understand.”
I no longer wished to. All this stress with her just made me want to turn my direction to the wine cellar. But no, I promised Callum. I would do this, even if it killed me. At least I’d die sober and make him proud.
“Ashton, babe, slow down.”
I had no idea how fast I was going before Callum spoke. “I just want to get out of here. She makes me so furious.”
Once I was outside, I dropped his arm and ran my fingers through my hair. “Fuck, now you know why I’m such a mess. She just couldn’t be a regular mom. Who the hell tries to paint the worst picture of their child before their boyfriend?”
“Hey, come here.”
Callum placed a hand on my shoulder and pulled my rigid frame into him. I wanted to hold on to my anger, but the moment his strong, comforting arms wrapped around me, I burrowed myself into his chest, choking on a sob.
“I hate her so much.”
“No, baby, you don’t. I know it’s tough, but you love her. She’s your mother.”
“I don’t care. I still hate her.”
“All that hate is not good for you.” He kissed my temple twice. “Don’t let it fester into bitterness, Pretty Eyes. It’ll make you miserable.” He rubbed my back, and I sighed, mellowing against him.
“You’re so good for me,” I murmured, nuzzling his neck. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Callum. You’re everything to me.”
“You’d survive. You’re a fighter, and I don’t believe you need me at all.”
I scoffed and stepped back out of his arms. “Let’s just agree to disagree.”
His smile warmed me. “Want to go back to the apartment instead?”
I shook my head even before he finished speaking. “No, I’m not going to let her ruin this. I’m looking forward to spending the evening with your friends. That’s what we planned, and that’s what we’ll do.”
“Ashton, she’s your mother. It’s okay if it hurts.”
I headed for his car without him. “I just want to forget about it, okay? Please.”
I glanced back at him over my shoulder. He stared after me, then nodded.
“Fine, but I’m watching you. If I think you look exhausted from all that’s happening, we’re leaving. Better yet, promise me you’ll be up-front with me if you want to leave.”
“Okay, I promise.” When he walked over to me, I looped my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
He eyed me warily. “For what?”
“For wearing the clothes.” I hoped it was okay to bring it up. “I didn’t know if you’d be offended, so I lied about it. Please forgive me.”
“I don’t like you lying to me, but I get why you did.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I’d be lying too if I didn’t admit that at first, I wanted to throw it all out, but you did something nice for me. I shouldn’t make you feel shitty about that. So I’m happy to wear the clothes you bought me.”
He filled me with such elation that I kissed him hard, squeezing him. “I’m so glad. There’s so much I want to do for you.”
“Now, just wait a moment. We’re not going to get carried away. Ash, you don’t need to do all this for me.”
I placed my hands over his stomach and stroked the luxurious material of the shirt and his hard abs underneath. “I know, and that’s why I do it. You’d never ask anyone for anything you need, but you always can with me, Callum.”
“We’ll talk about all this later when we get home. For now, let’s go make one little girl