Page 125 of How You See Me
“No. She may have picked up a bug at the hospital. Her immune system’s running on fumes these days.”
“The infection is gone, right?”
“Mostly.” She sighs, exhaustion etched in the dark hollows under her eyes. “She’s still on a bunch of meds.”
“I’ll be there soon. You need a break.”
“I’ll call your sisters if I need help.”
My hand scrapes across the back of my neck as annoyance pricks under my skin. “I’m starting to think you don’t want me there.”
“Don’t get surly.” She smiles, tired but honest. “I’d love nothing more, but you need this trip. I’m fine.”
I don’t believe her. Not for a second.
“Enjoy that beautiful girlfriend while you can. Ava and I aren’t going anywhere. But Josie is.”
That doesn’t help. Before I can respond, something flashes in her expression—confusion or concern. She glances offscreen, frowning.
“Someone's here. I’ve gotta go,” she says quickly. “Love you.”
The call drops too fast.
What the hell was that? Who’s there? Who would show up at her temporary place in Charlottesville and cause that alarmed look on her face?
There’s only one person with the audacity I can think of, and he has no right.
I call back and get ignored. My racing pulse blurs the little letters on the phone’s keyboard as I fire off texts.
Me:Who’s there?
Me:Is it him?
Me:Mom?
Mom:Everything’s okay, dear. We’ll talk soon. Have fun.
Not even close to good enough.
“Everything all right?” Josie asks, noticing my heavy breathing, clenched jaw, and the awkward way I’m hiding the gift bag behind my back.
“What do you think about tacos?”
“They’re . . . good,” she says with a laugh.
“I saw a food truck near the highway, and tacos make everything better.”
“Did something happen?”
She steps closer, placing a hand on my arm, and I let out a loaded breath.
“Mom thinks Ava might be getting a cold, and someone’s at the house.”
“Someone?”
“She didn’t want to tell me who. That’s why I think it’s my father.”
“Oh. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if it’s him?”
