Page 60 of Eye of the Hurricane
“Well, whatever you’ve done wrong with him, fix it. Women are—” I cut her off. The bitter lump in my throat can’t bare to hear her say it.
“Wives and mothers, I know.” I think the part that hurts the most about this all, is that my mother might be right. Not that women are wives and mothers, I know we’re so much more. But I’m beginning to think I only have room for career or relationships, not both.
“I’m only tough on you because I want what’s best for you,” she says. It doesn’t feel that way. Especially when every time she says these things, it’s a dagger in my chest.
“Is there something you needed? I’m kind of in a rush today,” I lie, again. It’s not a full lie, I was in a rush today. The rush is now over, though, and my couch is screaming my name.
“Don’t be a brat,” she spits.
“I have to go,” I snap. I hang up the phone before she gets the chance to insult me further.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. The lack of support from my mother on bad days is a much easier pill to swallow than on good days. This—today—was expected.
I don’t let myself fall apart in my car. I wait until I’m in the comfort of my own apartment like the strong, driven woman I am. The moment I shut the door behind me, I let the tears fall.
Because strong, driven women cry too.
I drop my keys and purse on the kitchen counter. There is no better remedy for the tenseness in my body than the sound of thousand dollar wine splashing in a glass.
Except this time, that same satisfaction doesn’t bloom in my chest when it slides down my throat. Now I just feel sad… with fermented grapes?
Chapter 18
Ares
“Thankyou all for making it to our first lecture! It would be nothing short of amazing if you all continue attending,” Vines announces to the entire lecture hall. A few lighthearted laughs ring out. Chatter picks up for a moment before she raises her hand and silence falls over everyone.
“Before you all head out, I’ll address the elephant in the room. I’m sure you’ve all seen Tropical Storm Celine on the news. Everyone wants to know if class will be canceled. As of right now, we aren’t projected to be hit at all. If that changes, classes will be canceled. I wouldn’t expect more than a day for a category one. Any questions?”
“When will we know?” Someone in one of the front rows asks. The question strikes me as odd for a moment until I remember that about half of our students aren’t actually from here.
“Landfall isn’t projected until end of week. The closer it gets, the more we’ll know. I’ll keep you all updated, so keep an eye on your email.”
Class wraps up and I find myself wanderingaround campus, hoping I might run into a favorite blonde of mine. She’s nowhere to be found, though, which makes sense. I’m sure she’s wrapped up in the athletics building all day.
So I head home. The second I walk in the door, my mom calls to me from the couch, asking me to come see her.
“You’ve barely been home, is everything alright?” she asks, a look of genuine worry on her face.
“Yeah, I’m okay, Mom. I’ve just been spending some time at Audra and Roman’s place or with Katherine,” I explain.
Her mouth upturns and her eyes tell me she thinks she knows something.
“Is Katherine your girlfriend?” she asks. I consider lying just to see if I can pull it off now.
“No, it’s complicated,” I huff.
She chuckles.
“I remember your brother telling me that things were complicated between him and Audra not too long ago.” She reaches for her wine glass on the side table next to us and takes a sip.
“Beck said the same thing.”
“So you talked to Beck about her?”
“Well, we were all camping together,” I explain. She tilts her head to the side, smirk growing.
“Oh? She went on the camping trip with you all? And where did she sleep?”
