Page 179 of Next to Everything We Wanted
“Huh?”
“You’ve been going through something on your own too, right?” I thought about all the times he’d muttered things under his breath before rushing away. “I’m not the only one with baggage.”
He sucked in a breath. “I haven’t been alone.”
“Have Mollie and Bella been helpful for once?”
“Gosh,never.” He snorted. “My parents are getting on my nerves with their dramatics and all. I wish they’d just split up already. I’m . . . getting through it.”
“I’m sorry.” I rubbed his arm, my chest aching for him. “I’m here if you need me.”
His lips lifted in a small smile. “Thanks, but you don’t have to worry about it.”
I nodded and let the conversation drop, despite my curiosity about what he meant about not being alone.
After a few minutes, I packed my guitar and drove home. During my drive, I thought about what Everett—Forrest—had said about me and Mom.
My thoughts trailed to her job. Would she blab the truth about Somewhere in the Sky just to hurt me? What would she get out of ruining their privacy? Maybe it’d be the perfect revenge—for dating her daughter who hated her guts. Mom even said she’d done stuff she wasn’t proud of. What shady stuff did she usually do?
That was when it dawned on me.
I didn’t know her at all.
I’d assumed everything about her was selfish. And I had a right to think so. She left me. Her own child.
But the past couldn’t be changed. She’d started acting differently because she wanted things to change. Was she just someone who made a mistake and needed a second chance?
Would it be stupid for me to give it to her?
I parked in the driveway, taking in my cozy house. The house Mom and Dad had bought together, ready to start their new lives. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to forgive Mom, to have her back home, but I knew I wanted something else. Something attainable.
And I needed it now.
I nearly dropped my keys as I opened the front door. Dad looked up at me, wearing an old UNLV T-shirt—probably missing the one Gavin had taken.
“How was the gig?” he asked, his tone wary.
“It was fine.” I drew in a breath, my blood pounding. “Is Mom still in town?”
His dark eyebrows shot up. “What?”
I sighed, not believing I was admitting defeat. “Is she still in Vegas?”
He nodded. “It’s her last night.”
Relief poured through me. “Is it too late to stop by her hotel?”
I knocked on Mom’s penthouse suite door, shaking from head to toe. My knees were so weak, I was worried I’d collapse at any moment.
“You’re going to be okay,” Dad whispered, squeezing my trembling hand.
I gave him a weak smile.
The door opened, and Mom appeared, her lips parting in surprise. She wore a tank top and shorts, her long hair resting on her chest. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her bare face reminded me of mine. “Sienna? Ryder?”
“Hey, Mom,” I said, mustering all the confidence I could get.
“What are you doing here?” Her long lashes fluttered. “It’s past eleven.”
