Page 13 of The Rebound
“Good night.”
Back at my place, my phone buzzes, and I half expect to see Saint’s name. But the caller ID informs me it’s someone else.Mom.
Oh boy. Here we go.
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?”
“Hello, Kinley. I texted you earlier today and didn’t hear back from you. It’s like you want me to be worried sick.”
“I’m sorry. I was out with a friend running errands.”
“A friend? I didn’t know you had friends in Boston.”
“Well, he’s kind of my first friend here, a neighbor from down the hall. Really sweet guy. He’s kind of helped me out with Walker gone on his trip.”
Mom huffs. “I still can’t believe your brother left you like that. So irresponsible.”
I roll my eyes.
My mom is impossible to please. Once you think you’ve achieved her expectations for you, she moves the goalpost. It doesn’t help now that I’m pregnant with no partner in the picture. Which, in her words, is something I should be very embarrassed about.
“Walker worked really hard all year. He deserves a break. And like I said, the guy down the hall—”
“Guy down the hall?” Her tone is incredulous.
I feel suddenly defensive of Saint. “Yeah. He’s really been helpful.”
“You’re not thinking of starting a relationship with this ‘guy down the hall,’ are you? Kinley, you just met the man. I swear, every time I think you’ve learned from your mistakes, you go and make things difficult for yourself all over again.”
I clench my teeth tightly before forcing a smile. “Mom, it’s fine. I’m not trying to get into another relationship right now.”
My mother is quiet on the other end of the line for a moment. “That’s good. I’m just worried about you, you know? With the baby coming ... I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. What kind of man would want you right now, anyway?”
Her words hit me like a slap to the face. “Wow, Mom. That’s a really thoughtful thing to say to your single daughter.”
“You know I didn’t mean it likethat, Kinley.” She sighs, sounding so inconvenienced by my hurt feelings.
Mom is right, though. The last thing I need is some rebound fling. Although if you were going to have a rebound the strapping, sexy Saint would be the perfect man for the job. God, could you imagine?
“How’s the baby?” Mom asks.
Changing the topic, I see. This woman is impossible.
Trying to calm myself, I take a deep breath. “Everything’s good. I have an appointment with my new doctor this week.”
“Well, let me know what your doctor says, all right? And please respond to my texts. I don’t want to spend the whole day imagining what awful things could have happened to you. My single pregnant daughter alone in a big city.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I’m done,” I tell her.
“All right. I love you, Kinley. Talk soon.”
“’Bye, Mom.”
My anxious pacing has led me to my bedroom, where I toss my phone on my bed. I flop down next to it, wiping angry tears from my eyes.
Gotta hand it to my mom for always knowing how to make a girl feel like crap on a cracker. She isn’t wrong, though. I need to keep my priorities straight right now, and focus on settling into a new city and getting ready to become a parent for the very first time.
The little guy gives me a soft kick, and I place my hand over the spot, feeling him move inside me. The only man I have time for is this kung-fu master.
