Page 49 of The Prince and the Double Shot
“Sulking and begging.”
“That’s not a plan. What can you do about it? I take it that he didn’t take the news well?”
“We’re mortal enemies.”
“They make the best lovers. So you told him that you are a…”
“No. We didn’t get that far. He ran away before I could… I don’t know, Layla. I could have, but I didn’t.”
“Because you don’t believe in yourself, kiddo. Let me ask you again. What can you do?”
“I thought about that. I’m not sure that I could… They hate me.”
“I'm sure they don’t. In fact, I know they don’t. No one could ever hate you, even when you’re being a total dick. You’re as hard as stone in some ways, which makes sense, knowing who you are. But inside, kiddo, you are a fucking marshmallow,” she giggled. It sounded like a peal of music. “I want you to be happy. I want you to finally be you. I think you deserve it. I think that you’ve learned enough.”
“So, you think I should grovel.”
“I think you should call. You know nothing until you know everything.”
“How did you get so wise?”
“Little shits like you, kiddo. You’re not my first rodeo. Got it?”
“I think I do. I just need to find the courage to…”
“Give me your phone.”
I handed it to her.
“Is the number in your phone?”
“Under assholes. I added it just in case I ever really needed it. They won’t know it’s me, though.”
“Passcode?”
“Uh… sixty-nine, sixty-nine.”
“Well, that’s on the nose for you,” she smirked. She unlocked my phone, scrolled, and pressed the button I hoped I would never have to press. My knees shook. What if they hung up or said that they had no son?
“Hello, is this Queen Sevier?”
She instantly nodded.
“Yes, I am here with him.” She listened. “No, he’s fine. I’m sorry to scare you, I… Yes… Of course, give me one second.”
She looked at me and smiled. “She’s crying. She’s very happy that you called.”
She handed the phone to me, walked around me, and held me in her arms.
“Mom?”
Tears streamed down my face. She didn’t hate me. She was… happy and worried.
“I’m so sorry, I… Mom, I need your help.”
She listened. She told me how much they loved me and how sorry they were for what they had done. They knew where I had been all this time, but they knew I needed time. They hoped that I would come back to them.
I sat down in the garden and cried.
