Page 38 of Dangerous Curves

Just like that everything is gone again only this time she took a bigger piece of my heart I can’t get back.

Thirty-Four

Kenndrix

Kynlee wasn’t happy about my decision to leave Los Angeles for a bit, especially with only two weeks until Raven is due. To be honest, I hated the idea of it, too, but after what I saw last night and the mental downward spiral that I traveled, it was clear I was going to need space from Jaxx to heal. I wouldn’t be able to get that while in Los Angeles. He’d be everywhere. So, I called Grant this morning and asked him to let Walt know I wouldn't be able to be on set for the remainder of filming. Once I get to my mom’s house, I’ll send him an email, but I don’t want him expecting me today. The six-hour drive to my mom’s in Nevada City feels like much longer, but then again, things always seem like they take longer when you’re doing them with a broken heart.

After a few stops for gas and something to drink, I arrived in Nevada City. It’s a small town that instantly feels welcoming. I can see why my mom picked it. My mom’s house is a beautiful baby blue with a craftsman feel to it. A bay window comes off the living room with beautiful green trees in the front yard. I pull into her driveway behind her SUV. As I’m gathering my suitcase, the front door opens. I muster up the best smile I can when I turn around and see her waiting on the bottom step of her porch. “Oh, baby girl,” she says when she sees me. In an instant I’ve forgotten my suitcase and launch myself into her arms. I don’t know what it is about mom’s, but they give the best hugs. The moment her scent and arms engulf me the tears flow freely once more.

Once my tears have dried up we collect my suitcase and head inside. Her house is all rich browns, exactly how I remember. It’s so inviting. When I enter the kitchen there are pizza boxes stacked up as well as bottles of Dr. Pepper. “Mom…”

She shrugs. “I figured with things the way they are you could use some splurge time. I also have this,” she tells me, as she crosses the kitchen and opens the freezer door. Stacked inside are two gallons of Pistachio Almond ice cream. I could cry again. “I’ve also pulled out all of your favorite movies.”

“I’ve missed you,” I tell her. My mom and I look just alike except she’s shorter with short brown hair. She’s independent and kind. Being a single mom definitely toughened her up but she’s the perfect mom for me.

“Why don’t you go put your things in your room and then we can eat some pizza. I’ll make us some drinks.” I nod and head down the hallway, stopping to look at some of the pictures hanging along the way. My bedroom door stands open and I enter the purple bedroom. It’s like walking back in time. This was the same bedding I had when she lived in Los Angeles. Sitting on the nightstand is a picture from college graduation. My mom is in the middle with me on one side of her and Kynlee on the other as well as Jaxx and Ace. That day had seemed so perfect. Before I start crying again, I go back to the living room.

My mom has everything fixed and the movie is waiting to be started. “What are we watching?”

“Twilight. I figured we’d start with that saga and then After, The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice and of course, the Tim Burton collection.” She smiles over at me and I scoot closer to her. Sometimes you just need to come home.

I must have fallen asleep because a little while later, I wake up on the couch. My mom is in the kitchen cleaning. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“No need to apologize.” Silence falls between us and I can feel her unspoken question before she even asks. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

She frowns. “Okay, let me rephrase that. Have a seat so we can talk about it.” The look on her face tells me not to argue so I take a seat and she studies me before speaking again. “This is not coming from any place but love, Kenndrix. I’m more than happy to have you here as long as you want but I also don’t want you running away. Do you know what you saw?”

I nod my head. “Yes, Poppy, his hot Brazilian model girlfriend type person, in his bed, both of them naked. It’s not that hard to piece that together.”

“You didn’t say Jaxx was naked when we first talked,” she comments.

My mouth opens and closes a few times. She’s right because I didn’t see below his waist. His sheet was covering that portion. “Well, the sheet was covering that portion, but she was naked, plus his and her clothes were on the floor.”

“Have you asked Jaxx about it?” she asks. Is she crazy? How am I supposed to ask him about this? I shake my head no. “Then it’s safe to assume you haven’t let him explain either.”

I sigh. “No, I blocked his number actually.”

“Kenndrix Marie,” my mom scolds. I hate when she uses two names. It was always a sign of being in trouble. “You should at least hear him out.”

“I can’t mom. I just can’t.”

My mom holds her hands up in surrender. “Okay, I’ll only say one more thing. I don’t think Jaxx cheated on you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and that boy loves you with all his heart. He wouldn’t jeopardize that especially, after just getting you back.” After that, she drops the conversation. We eat more pizza, watch some more movies before heading to bed. Once I’m in my room, I turn on my laptop and email Walt, thanking him for the opportunity and apologizing for having to cut my time short. I also look over some upcoming projects for the production company before losing myself in writing a new screenplay.

I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep when the doorbell wakes me up. It’s four in the morning according to the clock on my nightstand. I climb out of bed, meeting my mom in the hallway. “Is it common for you to have super early morning visitors?”

“Nope,” she tells me, as she tightens her grip on the baseball bat in her hand. When we get to the door she tells me to open it while she gets prepared to swing if necessary. I yank the door open and she drops the bat back to her side. “You should have told me you were here so I didn’t knock you out.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Golden,” he says. My heart falls to the floor. Jaxx is here.

My mom steps forward and unlocks the screen door. “Well, come inside.” I look at her like she’s a complete stranger to me. She’s definitely a traitor right now. “Oh, come on. Don’t look at me like that Kenndrix. You need to hear him out.” She turns around and leaves Jaxx and I standing in the middle of the living room.

The silence is making my anxiety too much. “How did you know where I was?”

“Your mom called me.”

I scoff. “Of course, she did.”

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