Page 139 of Press Play

I clasp my hands together and hang my head low. It’s like the weight of everything is hitting me all at once, and all I can do is focus on breathing.

“Theo.” She rubs my back, the same circular motion she used to do when I would cry.

Tears well in my eyes, and I don’t fight the sob that breaks through.

“Is this about Wren?” She keeps her tone low and gentle.

I choke on my tears. “I fucked up.”

“I doubt that.”

“I almost lost her.” I sit up and meet her motherly gaze. “Because I’m a pathetic coward?—”

“Don’t talk about my son that way.” That stern yet familiar tone stops me short. “You are far from those things.”

“But you don’t know?—”

“Shh! I refuse to listen to it.”

I break our eye contact and stare back down at my hands.

Mom sighs and pats my back. “Does this mean you and Wren. . .”

I nod slowly.

“Since the party?”

I nod again. She doesn’t need to know the specifics about the night before that.

“Tell me what’s sitting on your chest. I’ll try and not interrupt.”

I expel a long breath and look at her through my peripheral. “I love her.” Fuck, it still feels good to say. “I’ve loved her since high school. I was just too young to see it.”

“I know, mi amor. Keep going.”

“She’s always had my back, as I had hers. She never judged me even when I made stupid choices. She was there, and even after what I did, she still is.” I shift so we’re facing each other.“Someone from my past came back—she tried to hurt me by using Wren, and she almost succeeded.”

I can’t tell Mom everything. If she knew what I did. . . what I do. . . she’d never forgive me.

“All I want is to protect Wren, but?—”

“You can be a stubborn culo,” Mom adds, fighting back a smirk.

“Thanks for that. . .”

“You know what I mean.” She reaches forward and takes my hand.

“My need to keep her safe almost cost me. My decision almost changed everything. If I lost her?—”

“Did you?” Mom tilts her head.

“No.”

“So why are you letting this weigh on you?”

“Because I made a choice and nearly ruined everything! How can I look her in the eye after what I’ve done? Who’s to say I won’t make another dumbass decision again? What if the next time I mess up, it breaks her heart and she has no choice but to leave me!?” Tears burn the corners of my eyes. “What would I do after that? I’d be lost without her.”

“Oh, mi chico.” Mom exhales, pulling me into a hug. “Come here.” She wraps her arms around me and holds me as I cry against her shoulder. “Listen to me,” she whispers. “No one is perfect. If everyone made the right decision every time they faced a choice, then we’d never grow. I know you think Wren sees you differently now, but I know that girl. I’ve seen her grow from a child to a woman. She is fierce, and she loves just as fiercely. She doesn’t see you differently, my love.” Mom pulls back and places her hands on my cheeks, catching my tears and cooling my skin. “She sees you for you, and she loves you for it.”

---