Page 27 of Wildest Forever

Once the door is closed, I push my back to it and close my eyes, heart drumming against my skin.

I just needed a moment alone.

It's been a lot, and I am desperate for today to be over and to go back to how my life was before, but uneasiness settles in my chest, it'll never be how it was.

CHAPTER SIX

PACEY

Sitting in the large kitchen of my family home, my head is throbbing.

“You okay?” my mom's voice floats through me as she sits next to me, her hand pressed to my cheek as I look at her.

“Yeah ma, I'm fine,” and she gives me a sad smile.

“How about you? Are you okay?” my hand over hers as I bring it down and cup it tightly.

“I'm fine, my sunshine boy.”

“Good.”

“What are your plans for today?” she asks as she slips her hand from under mine and makes her way to the stove to boil the kettle.

“Packing up my room I suppose,” my breath catches at the back of my throat, and I have no idea why but this hurts more than I thought it would.

“I'm going to miss you,” she turns to look at me before she reaches for the mugs and I swallow down the lump.

“I'll only be across the town line ma,” I stand and walk across to her and wrap my arms around her shoulders as I rest my chin between her neck and shoulder.

“I know,” her hand reaches up as she rests it on my cheek, patting it slightly in reassurance.

“You still have me,” Tripp’s voice pulls me away from my mom and a boyish grin spreads across my face.

“Yeah, but you're not her favorite,” I wink and Tripp scowls at me. “Just telling the truth,” I shrug as I pinch some fresh toast from the middle of the breakfast bar and smother it in honey before I take a bite, still grinning ear to ear.

“None of you are my favorites,” she says a little louder as the kettle begins to whistle and that's when we hear the front door slam and the sound of heavy boots thudding across the tiles.

“Don't lie to them ma, you know that I’m your favorite,”Riggs grumbles and now me and Tripp both roll our eyes.

“I'm not lying,” she turns to face all three of us, her eyes trailing between each and every one of us.

“I think you are,” Riggs runs his hand over his beard.

She sighs, hands on her hips and she is so over our shit.

“You are all my special boys,” she comes in with the classic line and we all roll our eyes.

“It's okay ma, you don't have to admit it whilst they're here,” I step forward before thumbing behind me, “but I know I am your favorite.” I stop, placing a kiss on her cheek before I am moving forward and grabbing the kettle from the stove as I pour the boiling water into the cup, making us all a cup of tea.

“Where's Dix?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

“Nursing Lainey, but she will have a coffee,” Tripp nods at me before I glide over and turn the switch on for the coffee machine and wait for it to boil.

Swiping my cup from the side, I bring it to my lips and blow softly.

“How's married life?” Riggs chuckles as he takes his own mug, trudging dirty footprints through the kitchen.

“Going great,” sarcasm drips from my tone and I roll my eyes in an over exaggerated manner.

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