Page 259 of There's No Us Without You
“Please, Eden,” Mum says, grabbing my hand. “Just give me five minutes, and I promise I’ll leave after that.”
I sigh. “Fine. Five minutes.”
Mum leads me to an empty table in the furthest corner from the crowd. She takes a seat and motions for me to take the one next to her.
I hesitate, my mouth now dry, my hands shaking.
“Please.” Mum pleads with her eyes. “I just need to get this out.”
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I lock eyes with my men. Emerson gives me a tight smile, while Will just continues to glare.
May as well get this over and done with then. Sighing, I take the chair and cross a leg over the other, keeping my hands in my lap.
Mum licks her lips. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you all these years,” she says. “But you don’t know what it’s like having to vie with your own daughter for your husband’s attention.”
What the hell is she talking about? My father absolutely adored her, yet it’s my fault? Of course it is.
“Seriously?”
“Let me finish,” she says, pushing a stray hair from her face. “I could never compete with you.”
“It’s not a competition. I’m your daughter.”
She nods, swallowing hard. “I know that now. Ever since you were born, your father only ever had eyes for you. You two had this bond I could never compete with, and I guess it made me bitter. I wasn’t always like this, you know? I was fun in my younger years.”
“That’s hard to believe.” My eyes widen because I know I’ve just said the words out loud, but fuck it.
“I deserve that.” Mum gives me a small smile. “But I’m truly sorry for all the horrible things I’ve done. I was jealous of you, Eden. You’re a beautiful, independent woman, and those boys of yours are lucky to have you.”
I’m waiting for the punchline, but when one doesn’t come, I frown. “You’re serious?”
With a nod, she dabs at the tears rolling down her cheeks with a crisp white handkerchief. “I am truly the proudest mother ever.”
“Wow,” I say, blowing out a breath. “That’s... wow.” I shake my head and rub my fingers over my brow line.
Who is this woman wearing my mother’s skin suit? And what am I supposed to do with her? Because I’m shit out of ideas. I’m also not willing to forget everything she’s said and done, but she is my mother.
If Will can move on from the abuse he copped as a child, maybe I can do the same.
Mum pats my hand—hers a little damp. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. You’ve done so well, and the place is beautiful. Your dad would be so proud of you, sweetheart.” Bottom lip trembling, she stands and slowly makes her way towards the exit.
I may be about to make the stupidest decision I’ve ever made, and I’ve made some stupid decisions in my life, especially over the last six months. So what’s one more while we’re at it?
“Mum?” I say, before she reaches the front door. She turns, her eyebrows raised in question. “Would you like to stay?”
Her mouth falls open for a moment, and she glances around, then nods. “I’d love to.”
“Great. Come meet everyone.” I wave her in, and she follows me into the crowd.
Emerson steps up beside me when Mum finds herself a handsome stranger to latch onto, and wraps an arm around my shoulders, kissing my temple. “You did good, Pop-Tart. I’m proud of you.”
Patting his bum, I wink. “Seemed like the right thing to do.”
The food is almost ready to be served, so I tap a spoon on my glass to get everyone’s attention. When I have it, I take a deep breath.
“Firstly,” I say, the word a little shaky as it leaves my mouth. “Welcome to Tyler’s Place, the home of my dad’s recipes and the love of family and friends.”
A loud eruption from my guests has me smiling and shaking all at once. I glance up and say a silent little thank you to Tyler and my dad before continuing.
