Page 57 of Edge of Heaven

“I know you’re upset,” she says when I don’t respond. “But you have to look at your track record, Taryn. You’ve always made bad decisions.”

Despite my vow not to engage, I can’t help myself.

“Absolutely,” I agree. “Letting you have custody so I could go to college was the worst decision I ever made.”

Before she can respond, my phone rings and it’s Diane.

“I have to take this,” I tell her. “Hi, Diane.”

“Hey!” Diane sounds excited. “I have good news.”

“I could use some,” I say dryly.

“Well, I got your payment from Rock Vibe, so I’ll be depositing that into your account soon. And get this—there’s a last-minute opening in an Alexa Humboldt fashion show in Vegas tomorrow night!”

“Holy shit.” I’m shocked because Alexa Humboldt is huge. Walking in one of her shows could change everything for me.

“Right? Anyway, you can do it, right?”

“Absolutely.” I don’t even hesitate. If my mom is going to make it hard for me to get custody of Toby, I need to make all the money and contacts that I can.

“There’s a catch, though.”

“Of course there is.”

“Pay is a flat fee.” The number she names is embarrassing. “You’re an unknown in the fashion show world so that’s the standard.”

Jesus. That’s less than Rock Vibe pays, and they don’t pay much.

“Will they provide transportation to the airport?” I ask quietly. “Because I’m broke.” That’s not entirely true, but I’m not about to ask my mother for anything the way I’m feeling right now.

“Of course. You leave all that to me. I’ll be in touch and text you the details.”

She disconnects and I look at my mother.

“I’m going to Vegas tomorrow to walk in an Alexa Humboldt fashion show.”

“Really?” For once, Mom sounds impressed.

“Yup. And I’m going to spend the rest of today with Toby.”

“All right. We can go there now if you like.”

“Yes, please.”

I’m so tired of everyone in my life trying to fuck me over.

I know she wants what’s best for Toby, but the fact that she’s minimizing the sacrifice I’ve made with Callum hurts.

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the only person in my life I can trust is Mick, but he scares me because I don’t know how we can be together if I have to be in L.A. with Toby.

This is something we’re going to have to talk about at some point.

Chapter19

Mick

She’s got the lips,baby grinds and dips

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