Page 81 of Don't Leave
“Is Luke the boy who invited your father to the hockey game?”
The laughter dies a slow death on my lips, and I shake my head. “No, it was Cole who called dad.”
Confusion flickers across her face. “Is he still in the picture?”
The laughter of moments ago is totally forgotten as sadness fills me. “I don’t think so.”
She searches my eyes carefully before asking, “You like Cole a lot?”
It’s not really a question I have to think about. “Yeah, I do.”
Understanding seems to dawn across her expression. “So, Luke really is just a friend?”
“I’m not sure what we are anymore,” I admit.
“But he’d like to be more than friends?”
“Yes, I think so. I started something up with Cole in the beginning of the semester and it took a long time for me to lower my guard and trust him. I still have feelings for him.”
Almost absently she runs her fingers through my hair, and it reminds me of when I was a small child and she’d tuck me in at night. She always ran her fingers through my hair before kissing me goodnight. I’m not sure when she stopped doing that but I’m glad she’s here and that we’re talking.
Really talking.
I’ve always had a close relationship with my dad. Only now am I wondering if maybe it came at the expense of the one I could have had with my mom. It’s not something I ever thought about before.
Maybe I should have.
“That’s understandable.”
“Plus,” I add, “I have a lot going on with school. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my success.”
“You’re right. You do have a lot going on, but you also seem to be handling it well. The best advice I can is to take things slow and do what feels right. Maybe that’s being on your own right now.” She sifts her fingers through my hair again. “You know, I never worried about you when it came to boys because you were always so focused on hockey to the exclusion of everything else. Most of the time, it was a relief. Even though your life took a slight detour last year, you’re back on track again. Whatever decision you make will be the right decision. I believe in you, Cassidy.”
This time, I take the initiative by leaning forward and wrapping my arms around her. “Thanks, Mom.” I close my eyes and inhale the sweet scent of her rosemary mint shampoo. It catapults me back to a time when life felt simpler.
“Anytime, sweetie.”
As we break apart, my phone chimes with an incoming message. I glance down at it in surprise when Cole’s name pops up.
Mom peeks at the screen. “Cole, huh?”
My wide gaze dart to hers and I drop my voice as if it’s possible for him to hear us discussing him. “We haven’t talked in a while.”
“Then it sounds like you two might have a lot to say to one another.” She smiles before rising to her feet and walking to thedoor. “Oh,” she adds, swinging around to face me, “the minivan pulls out at four.”
I wince at the idea of hauling my ass out of bed at three thirty in the morning just to go shopping. I can’t help but wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.
“Having second thoughts?”
I meet her questioning gaze and realize that I’d get up at any ungodly hour in the morning if it meant spending more time with my family.
“Nope.”
“Good. If you make it to noon, I’ll treat you to lunch.”
My eyes widen. “We’re planning to shop for eight hours?”
“At least. We have to find all the deals.”
