Page 102 of Riot

“Are we havin’ our first fight?”

She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest, drawing my attention to her chest.

“No, we’re discussing something and you’re pretending it’s not happening.”

“Save that anger for the bedroom, babe. You can take it out on me there.”

“Still not funny.” She huffs. “I think I should’ve got myself a whip, not a breathing otter.”

I laugh out loud. “You’re gonna make one fine ol’ lady.”

20

HALO

I stare downat my phone as it buzzes on the table. I don’t want to talk to my mom while I’m having dinner, but Riot notices who the caller is.

“You can answer it, it’s fine.”

While I really have nothing to say right now, she’s only going to keep calling. I planned on calling her back tonight, but she’s tried to call me several times and texted telling me to call her.

“We’re having dinner though,” I say. “It’ll ruin the mood.”

“I’m just sayin’ it’s fine if you want to get it over with.”

How does this man know me so well?

I sigh, picking up my phone. “Hi, Mom.”

“Halo? Is that you?”

“Of course it’s me, Mom, you called my phone.” I shouldn’t roll my eyes, but I’m way past the guilt trips that my mother’s put me through over the years. Now I just cut straight to the chase.

“Halo, it’s your father.” My mom’s voice sounds through the phone.

My blood runs cold and pain hits my chest. “Dad? What’s wrong with him?”

“He— he had a turn, and he’s in the hospital.”

“Oh my God.” My eyes meet Riot’s, he frowns, seeing my distress. “Is he okay?” I brace myself for the worst.

“They think so. He’s having some tests.”

I close my eyes. My dad. I mean, I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but he’s still my father. Panic surges through me. “What happened?”

“He had chest pains, and then I drove him to the hospital. He was asking for you.”

I swallow hard, my gut clenching. “I’ll come home.” I say the words before I even have a chance to digest them. Of course I’ll come home. I only have one dad, and no matter what he’s said and done in the past, I need to see him. Guilt washes over me all over again, but this time for different reasons.

“That would be wonderful,” Mom says. “We’d love to see you, it’s been such a long time.”

I want to tell her that she knows the reason behind that. I also want to tell her that giving Ian my address in New Orleans isn’t going to work. But I keep my mouth closed. Now isn’t the time nor the place.

“I’ll come tonight. I’m out to dinner, but we can be there soon.”

There’s a pause. “We?”

“Uh.”Shit. She picked up on that.Oh, well. There’s no time like the present. “Mom, I'm seeing someone. His name is… Myles, and he’s wonderful.”

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