Page 39 of Breaking Point

Have I told her about all of the new changes?Not exactly.

The less information she has about my job, the better. It only creates liabilities.

“Staying busy. Lots of galas and entertainment. How is everything with you?”

“Oh, just gettin’ older everyday. Did you know I gotta go to the doctor twice a year now? Seems a bit drastic if you ask me. I’m the pinnacle of health.”

She’s always been a bit of a health-nut, and I smirk as I imagine the hell she probably gives that doctor. She’s stubborn and prickly as hell when she doesn’t like something.

“I bet you are,” I tell her with a laugh. “Dad doing okay?”

She hums, and I hear her chopping things in the background. Checking the time, I imagine she’s probably getting started on lunch. “He also goes to the doctor twice a year, but you know how he likes his occasional cigar. Doctors are always yapping about it, but he’s down to only one a week. That’s progress, isn’t it?”

Smoking is a habit he’s been trying to break for years. I shake my head as another text pings on my phone.

Skar: You up for the gym?

“He needs to quit smoking them all together,” I tell her, and she huffs.

“I know. I tell him the same thing. I hate kissing him after. Tastes like a toad.”

I wince at the image. “Thank you for that.”

She lets out a hearty laugh and says something else as she finishes cooking. I send a quick reply to Skar telling him I’ll meet him in an hour, before balancing my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I head to the kitchen for a meal of my own.

“About your father,” she adds, and I listen more intently.

“What about him?”

“It’s just- he recently pulled something in his back at work.”

“What happened?” I say.

“Do you wanna talk to him? I can go get him. He’s alright. Just working a little less- which I don’t mind.”

“He’s probably busy, Ma. He’s not bed-ridden or anything?” I ask because there’s been a few times she’s pushed off telling me about him.

“No. He’s just icing his back every night.” The smile in her voice eases my worry. “He’s alright. You know how I fret. Well..” She sighs happily. “Just wanted to say hi. I love you. Need you to come and visit soon.”

“I love you too. I’ll see about making a trip down.”

“You always say that,” she quips, but she blows a kiss into the phone. “Talk soon, baby.”

“Bye, Ma.”

Whipping up lunch and eating quickly, I check that the cameras and locks are all working properly at Olivia’s apartment before scanning for any messages from Taylor.

I decide it’s all clear, and I pack a quick change for the gym before hopping on my bike and meeting Skar.

I could use a good spar.

Chapter Nineteen

Olivia

Things haven’t been the same since the night of my mom’s party.

Normally, crying takes the edge off. I bottle everything up, and sooner or later, it forces its way out… and then I feel relief. I wish I could say that’s what I feel now. But there’s a million things to do. A million calls to make. A dozen weddings to plan.

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