Page 34 of After All This Time

"I'm sleeping fine. I've actually started working at my friend's parents' bar, so I didn't get home until late."

"You're working in a bar?" The stuck-up tone is enough to make me roll my eyes. "Please tell me you're joking, Amelia."

I can see her now, clutching her pearls, dark hair scraped back into that tight bun that practically gives her a mini facelift.

"Nope, not joking. Why, what's the issue?" I ask, bracing myself for the barrage of bullshit I'm about to be handed.

"It's not safe. That's the issue. You're a young woman."

"It's perfectly safe. Besides, you'll be happy to know that Tobias took me and picked me up."

"Well, that's reassuring."

The relief in her voice makes me want to scream because God forbid I do anything for myself.

"I'll get my own car as soon as I can afford it."

She sighs, long and dramatic as if I'm refusing some generous royal allowance. "I deposit enough money into your account each month. You could already get a car."

"I know, and I'm grateful, but I want to be able to buy this for myself. I want to feel like I earned something rather than just being handed it."

"You realize Tobias took a car from David?"

"Yes, the infamous bribe-mobile."

"Whatever it was, it helped him, and I'd like to do the same for you," she says with finality. "I'll transfer some extra today, and you're to get yourself a car."

I groan, too tired to play nice. But I'm caught between my pride and avoiding a repeat of last night with Tobias. "Fine, but it's a loan, and I'm paying you back."

"Not necessary."

"It's necessary for me, Mom. Okay? I need this."

"We can discuss it more when you return home in two weeks."

Ah, yes, the anniversary party.

Because who wouldn't want to hash this out in person?

"Make sure whatever you buy isn't some run-down junk heap. We'll talk next week."

"Yeah, sure, okay," I say, my voice resigned.

As soon as the call ends, I toss my phone onto the other side of the bed and let my head drop back, feeling the tension simmer beneath my skin. The relief is fleeting because, not thirty seconds later, I grab my phone again and shoot off a text to Tobias.

AMELIA

Know where I can get a car?

Chapter 14

Tobias

"Does that feel okay?" I ask, catching the faintest whimper from the girl sitting in front of me.

"Yeah, I think so…"

"You're doing really well, especially considering it's your first time."

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