Page 95 of Tattletale

She lets out a deep sigh. “I think a good mom would do what’s best for her kids, even if it’s not what’s good for her. I know I’m not your mom but—”

“Vesper…”

“Lance, if seeing your mom can bring you peace—do it. Don’t wait. I just don’t want you to be too hurt that she won’t remember you—”

“Vesper,” I say again, interrupting for the second time.

“Yes?” she huffs out.

“You’re my mom, too. I had the shittiest dad in the world, so maybe two moms to love was the world’s consolation prize.”

We stay on the phone in silence for a while. I swear I hear Vesper sniffling, not that she’d ever admit it.

“You know, I’d pay top dollar to see you cry over there,” I tease. “I wasn’t sure if your tear ducts were operational.”

“I’m not crying.”

“Liar.”

“You sure know how to ruin a moment with your unnecessary humor.”

I smile. “Nonsense. You love my humor. We all know I’m your favorite.”

She laughs softly. “Maybe that’s true.”

I hear the soft beeps of call-waiting and check the screen.Cricket.

“V, I have to go. I’ll see you in a bit.” I switch the call over and answer in a hurry. “Hello?”

“What are you doing?” Cricket asks. Her tone is laced with urgency.

“Sitting on my couch wondering what happened with you and Gabriel last night that you waited until past ten in the morning to call me.”

“Okay, we’re going to need to work on your jealousy, Lance. I told you nothing would happen, and nothing did.”

I release the breath I was holding. “Good to know nobody’s clothes came off last night.”

“Well, in the spirit of honesty, I did see Gabriel naked last night—”

“What—”

“—but only because I had to change him after his clothes got soaked in the shower.”

“Please start making more sense, C, very quickly,” I bite out.

“I’ll explain later. Right now, I need your help.”

I sit up straighter, feeling myself become immediately alert at the magic words. Cricket needs me. “What’s going on?”

“We have to get Gabriel out of the country. Then, we can deal with Vienne. She’s the head of Aeon, not Gabriel. She’s setting us all up, Lance.”

I’m on my feet immediately. “How do you know?”

“Gabriel told me everything.”

“There are two sides to every story, Cricket,” I caution. “Vienne told me that Gabriel created a thermonuclear bomb that could literally wipe out mankind. He’s not right in the head.”

“It’s an excuse. Just a cover. She’s trying to get rid of him.”

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