Page 41 of Fighting for the Forbidden
There’s music playing somewhere in the house, but there are no voices, so the last thing I expect is to stumble upon two barely-dressed people locked in an embrace in the kitchen.
“Oh fuck. Shit. Sorry.” Closing my eyes, I turn and walk away, trying to will the image of Chris’ hands on my mum’s body from my mind.
Flustered, panicked voices sound out from behind me before Mum’s soft footsteps start getting closer.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you were back until tomorrow. I was—”
“Pre-occupied?”
She’s clutching her silk robe tightly around her body in an attempt to cover up what she’s wearing—or not—underneath. No grown man should have to see his mum in slutty lingerie; it’s just wrong.
“Fuck,” Mum whispers, looking up to the ceiling. “We…I…fuck—”
“It’s okay, Mum.”
“But—’
“But what?”
Back when Nick told me about her indiscretions when he was trying to get rid of me, I had no idea if she had cheated or whatever, but something told me that if it were true—and she’s since pretty much confirmed that it was—it would be with Chris. They’d been friends for years, and although Mum fell in love with Dad, I always thought Chris was a little too attentive. “You’re both consenting adults. I mean, I didn’t need to witness…that.But what you do is up to you.”
She lets out a giant breath. I don’t understand why she was so worried, but then something Lauren said recently hits me.I don’t know who you are now.Guilt sits heavy in my stomach that the reason Mum looks so relieved is my fault. It’s true; they have no idea who I am now and how I’m going to react to things. Anger burns within me. I clench and unclench my working hand, trying to release some of the tension building.
“O-okay,” Mum stutters, looking at me as if I might blow at any minute. “Did you have a good time with Lauren?”
“It was…good. Weird. But we talked. I think we’ve cleared the air at least.”
“Good. That’s good.”
“I’m going to go.” I point towards the stairs and turn to leave. “Keep the noise down, yeah?”
The sound of her light laughter behind me lifts my spirits a little. Chris sheepishly pokes his head from the kitchen just as I go to climb the stairs. One side of his mouth twitches up in a smile and I nod. “Just look after her.” His smile grows as Mum tucks herself into his side, and I can’t help my heart swelling a little. Has she moved on fast? Yeah, most people would probably say so, but then none of them knew the reality that was living with Nick. If Chris makes her smile, then who am I to criticise their choices? Fuck knows I’ve made enough bad ones over the years.
Undressing without Lauren to help me is a harsh reminder that she’s across the city. At least I now know that she’s not doing fuck knows what with her boyfriend. I still can’t quite believe she lied to me, that she made me believe they were a couple, but looking back, I really should have seen the signs. I was too blindsided by her to see much else. Although, I could have sworn the look in his eyes every time he glanced at her went beyond friendship.
I’m just walking out of my en suite after attempting to shower while keeping my cast dry, when there’s a light knock at my door.
“Come in.”
“Hey,” Mum says, poking her head inside. Thankfully, she’s now fully dressed in her pyjamas. “Chris has just left.”
“He didn’t have to. I don’t want to get in the way.”
“No, it’s fine. He was going anyway. Are you really okay with it?”
“Yes, I really am.” She nods, but I don’t think she believes me.
“Here,” she says handing me a white paper bag. “I brought these home from the hospital for you. They might help with the pain.” She nods to where I’ve got my arm wrapped around my ribs.
“Thanks.” Ripping into the bag, I pop a couple of pills out of the packet and swallow them down, hoping they’ll help me sleep tonight.
“Are you okay to talk, or do you need to rest?”
“We can talk.” I slowly lower myself to my bed. Mum jumps up like she wants to help, but there’s nothing she can really do. “What’s up?”
Once I’ve found a somewhat comfortable position, I look over. She looks more concerned than she did after being walked in on earlier. “Word’s got out at work that there are money issues.”
“Shit.” We were hoping to keep it quiet from the staff so they wouldn’t panic unnecessarily. “What does that mean?”
