Page 12 of Jack

My phone rings from the table, slightly moving across the surface from the vibration.

Seeing the word ‘MOTHER,’ my heart sinks and my stomach knots.

With a deep breath pulled in, I pluck up the nerve to answer the call.

“Mother,” I greet.

She huffs. “Well, it is about time, I rung so many times I was going to hang up. I do not have time to rush around after you, young lady, I have important things to do.”

I roll my eyes, because my mother’s important things are sipping wine, or something stronger, with her lady friends, downat the country club, while they fake planning some gala or charity event, when in actual fact they are using it as an excuse to drink the day away.

“I am sorry, Mother, I was working on a wedding cake design for a client.” I sigh. “What can I help you with?”

I regret the question as soon as it slips from my lips. Shit.

“You can respond to the invite for one thing. You are being very childish by not attending your cousin’s wedding, Lilith. You need to get over what happened. Clearly you and Christopher were not meant to be. He has found love and happiness with Vanessa.”

This time it is painful with how hard I roll my eyes.

“If you say so, Mother,” I gripe, and regret swirls in my stomach.

My mother hates sarcasm, but I have it on default when it comes to her most of the time. I blame my uncle for that side of me. Usually, I hide in my shell when it comes to my family, because it is not worth the fight with them.

I never win an argument; it is easier to nod and walk away.

Call me a doormat or weak, but I want to live my life with peace and happiness.

“Do not take that tone with me, young lady. God, I swear my brother has had a bad influence on you, and since you have moved near that bunch of criminals, you have changed,” she snipes.

“They are not criminals, Mother. They are a good club, they help people,” I defend the club, my voice taking a hard tone.

I hate that my family thinks they are bad people; they may not fully follow the law, but they do it for the sake of the innocent and to help people.

“Again with the tone. Remember where you came from, Lilith Cullen. Your father may have helped you with that silly little shop where you entertain and serve people, but I can take itaway. Now, you will respond to the wedding invitation. You will arrive looking your best with a supportive smile on your face.”

My heart sinks into my knotted stomach. Bile tries to escape but I push it down as my body becomes cold and heavy. I hate that she makes me feel like this; she has the ability to always make me feel foolish with my baking and designs.

She wins again.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Good. I will have dresses sent over to you that I approve of, and you will select one. Do not fight me on this, Lilith. You will be booked in for hair and makeup, and for heaven’s sake, do not color any ingredients with bare hands. I will not be happy if you attend your dear cousin’s wedding with stained fingers,” she snaps.

“Yes, Mother.” My voice is meek, and self-disgust swarms in my body.

“Right. Vanessa will not tolerate you bringing up your past relationship with Christopher.” Like I would want to relive that disaster. “You will simply stay away from him unless they approach you. You will not upset the beautiful bride on her day. This is not about you, Lilith. God, we all know how selfish you can be at times.”

She berates me for a few more minutes while I sink into my chair and take it, unable to be strong enough to stop her. Zoning out, I think of Jack and Dom, smiling, thinking how they bantered with each other when I last saw them at the club.

Their relationship is the best, and every parent should be able to reach a level of communication with their children.

“Are you listening to me, Lilith?” My mother’s sharp voice brings me out of my thoughts.

“Yes. I will stay away from the groom and the bride. I will eat what is placed in front of me, and I will only have one or twodrinks. I will plaster a smile on my face and pretend to be happy and not the person they left heartbroken.” I say flatly.

Yeah, I have trained myself to zone out but also subconsciously take in what she is saying to me.

My mother and cousin seem to think that I am still cut up over what they did to me, but in all honesty, I really could give no more fucks about what they did or what they are doing. I have moved on with my life, and I am happily living here in Fort Lauderdale.

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