Page 46 of Mayhem

“She never watched TV growing up. So all our favorites? She hasn’t seen them.”

“No way.” Nate’s eyes grow wide. “My afternoon is now filled. We are having a movie marathon. I’ll get the movie ready. Willow, you want to get some snacks?”

“No more food. Chase overstuffed me.” I hold my stomach.

“Stop being so selfish, Will. The food is for me,” Nate chastises me.

“Of course. Silly me. Let me go to the kitchen where I belong,” I say sarcastically, but make my way to the kitchen.

“You said it, not me,” he calls out.

I throw him the finger over my shoulder.

I grab a couple bags of chips, a glass of juice for me, and two cans of soda for the boys before heading back into the living room.

My chest feels warm as I find the boys sitting on either end of the couch, talking about whatever movie they decided on. This feels comfortable, an odd feeling for me.

“What are you doing standing there? Come sit down.” Nate pats the seat between them.

I hand out the snacks and drinks before taking my seat. Chase wordlessly hands me a blanket. I give him a small smile of thanks as Nate starts the movie. Halfway through, Chase glances at his phone.

“We have a visitor. Looks like your mom,” he says to me.

“Seriously?”

He nods.

Chase gets up, but I follow him.

“Watch the movie. I’ll handle this,” he tells me.

“She’s my mother. I’m going out there.”

We are interrupted by the knock on the door. I march right up to it, swinging it open.

“What are you doing here,Mom?” I sneer at the woman standing in front of me.

“Looking for you, child. I told you, you would see me soon. Now, come on home. I need you.”

I narrow my eyes. “Need me? What could you possibly need me for?”

“I’ll explain on the way.” She reaches out to grab me, but Chase grabs her hand instead.

She glares at him. “You’ll let her come with me or you’ll regret it. Or, better yet, I’ll let you keep her for a price.”

Chase growls.

Before he can speak, I step in front of him. “I already told you. I’m not coming with you and I’m not for sale.”

“Have it your way. I figured I’d give you one last chance to come on your own. Seems I’ll have to make you,” she says, turning and walking away.

We watch as she leaves.

“You okay?” Chase asks, his hand on my shoulder.

I shrug him off. “Fine. I’m not some damsel in distress that you need to rescue. I can handle my own shit. That’s how Celeste is. She probably owes money to some dealer and told him he could have a taste of me for some drugs or to forgive her debt. She won’t even remember this conversation a couple of hours from now.” Turning, I leave him standing in the hallway. Going back to the den, I settle next to Nate, who is still watching the movie.

Eventually, Chase joins us, taking the chair away from us. I try not to let it bother me, but I can’t help it. A while later, Chase curses, staring at his phone. He gets up, heading to the front door.

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