Page 112 of Bria and the Tiger

Jace’s mom gave her a wild-eyed look. “Please leave. This is a family matter that I need to speak to Jace about.”

“Of course.” Bria grabbed her purse from under the island.

“Bria, no. You don’t have to -”

“It’s fine.” She gave Jace a faint smile. “We’ll talk later.”

“Bria -”

“Bye, Jace. Bye, Mrs. Shepherd.” She hurried out of the kitchen, shoved her feet into her shoes and snagged her coat. She could hear Jace coming down the hallway, and she quickly ran out of the house and shut the door. She climbed into her car and drove away as Jace stepped out onto the front stoop.

Her heart was thudding, and she drove only a few minutes before pulling onto a side street and parking. The fear and anger that had been radiating from Jace’s mom was making her hands shake and her stomach queasy. His mom both feared and hated her and there was nothing she could do about it. She’d never win her over, she’d never convince her that she wouldn’t hurt Jace… she’d been stupid to think that she could have a relationship with him. Even if she could persuade Jace to try dating her, there was no swaying his parents. They would drive a wedge between them, she knew it without a doubt.

You don’t know that. Jace is a good guy. If he wants to be with you, do you really think he’ll let his parents tell him he can’t?

Jace was a good guy and he loved his parents. Why would he choose her over them? He wouldn’t. He shouldn’t. She buried her face in her hands and tried to hold back the hot tears. God, what a fucked-up mess this was.

* * *

Jace slammed the front door shut and stalked back to the kitchen. His tiger was growling angrily, and he glared at his mother. “What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? What are you doing?” Velma asked.

“Having dinner with a friend, until you rudely interrupted.”

“She’s more than a friend. Stop trying to pretend she isn’t.”

“Fine,” he said. “She’s more than a friend, Mom. I like her. I like her a lot, and I want to date her.”

Velma paced back and forth. “Honey, you can’t. You know you can’t.”

“Yes, I can. She’s not going to hurt me. She’s really great and if you would just give her a chance, you’d see that -”

Velma hissed angrily at him. “Tabitha was really great too, remember? Until she decided you were too weak, too fragile for her, and she left.”

His cheeks reddened. “I’m not weak, or fragile.”

“I know you’re not. But does this Bria know that you suffer from depression? Does she know you take medication for it, go to weekly therapy?”

“No, but I’ll tell her. She won’t care. She’s not like Tabitha.”

“Honey,” Velma cupped his face, “you don’t know that for sure. How well do you know her, really?”

“I know her well enough.”

“You don’t. You like her, I know. I can see it, I can smell it, and, honey, I wish I could be happy for you. I really do. But this is a mistake. You’re not ready to be in a relationship again.”

“I am.” He gave her a stubborn look. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m in a good place.”

“Are you? Do you remember what it was like when Tabitha left? Because I do. You were a mess. You didn’t leave your house, you didn’t shower or eat. Your father and I were terrified you were going to do what your brother did and -”

“I’m not Jonah!”

His mom flinched back and guilt coursed through him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”

“We know you’re not your brother, but you suffer from the same disease. You were suicidal when Tabitha left.”

“Mom, I -”

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