Page 12 of Saving You Losing Me

“Fuck! It’s my mom. What do I tell her?”

“I can’t help you with that.”

I move away, my heart beating rapidly as I wait for her decision and as she answers the call, she says loudly, “Mom. I’m sorry, I won’t be long.”

There’s a short silence before she says quickly, “I had a few errands to run. I’ll be around thirty minutes.”

She cuts the call and groans.

“I was expected home after my shift. My parents are throwing a huge party for me tonight and mom was pissed enough that I worked at all.”

I fight back my disappointment.

“Why do you work at Joe’s? I never really understood why?”

An impish smile lights her expression and she grins. “Because you go there.”

A slow easy smile breaks out across my face and she nods, her own smile revealing her perfect white teeth.

“My answer is yes.”

“As in?”

I cock my head on one side and she moves closer and pinches my chin between her manicured fingers and whispers, “I want to be your girl, Atom. I want to be part of your world and I want it to be you. I still don’t believe you saved yourself for me, but it’s a nice thought, anyway. So–”

She brushes her lips against mine.

“Consider the game over. You won and you can claim your prize after my party tonight.”

I say nothing and she whispers, “I’ll sneak out and meet you on the corner of our street at two am. It’s up to you where we go from there.”

As I stare at the woman in front of me now, everything is right with my world. I knew she was the woman for me and so it begins.

CHAPTER 7

CLARA

Mom is angry. I’m not sure how I can tell due to the Botox freezing her face, but I’m guessing it’s the anger flashing in her eyes.

“You are giving up that low life job.”

Those were the first words she said as I headed through the door, still glowing from what just happened with Atom.

The ride back to the bar was exhilarating. Very different to the first one because as I clung onto his back, it was in the knowledge I was finally Atom’s girl. I made it happen. Itwashappening and my birthday is a mere inconvenience to endure before I get the one present I wished for.

I drove home after a long slow kiss, his lips and taste lingering long after he left.

I’m Atom’s girl. I always knew I was and now it’s a reality I walk with fresh energy in my step.

I don’t answer mom. In the mood she’s in, it would achieve nothing and just say over my shoulder, “I’m sorry, mom. I’ll head to my room to change.”

“Have you eaten?”

She calls after me and I shake my head. “No, but I’m guessing there will be food at my party later. I’ll eat then.”

“I’ll ask Vikki to bring a tray to your room.”

“Thanks, mom.”

---