Page 132 of Wicked Minds
RILEY
Buzz, buzz. Buzz, buzz.
The noise pulls me from the best sleep I’ve had in years, and I hastily sit up, grabbing my phone and silencing the call before it can wake Royce.
Despite the tiredness tugging at me, I’m instantly awake when I see my mom’s name flash on the caller ID of an incoming FaceTime call.Holy crap, she’s actually upholding her end.When I didn’t receive a call from her yesterday, I’d half convinced myself she wasn’t going to follow through.
Sliding quietly from between the sheets, I glance over my shoulder at Royce’s peacefully sleeping form before I grab his discarded t-shirt from the floor and hurriedly pull it on before slipping from his room.
I accept the call as I step away from his door, the phone screen coming to life as I descend the stairs and showing a freckle-faced, gap-toothed three-year-old grinning at me in a bright pink leotard. “Mommy!”
“Rora!” She waves manically at me as I tuck my feet beneath me on the sofa in the living room. Instantly, my day is made.
“Lyda said I could call you before I go to Mrs. Garcia’s.”
My teeth grind at the knowledge that the neighbor is babysitting my little girl today while my mom is off doing god knows what. The only thing that stops steam from pouring out my ears is hearing Rora’s butchered version of my mom’s name—because, god forbid, anyone hears her being referred to asgranny.
“Guess what, Mommy? I saw a unicorn yesterday at the park!”
I put on my best-surprised face, unable to suppress my smile at having this moment with my daughter. It has been less than forty-eight hours since I last saw her, and I was already missing her. “You did?”
Aurora’s head bobs so vigorously that I worry she’s going to strain her neck. “Yes, Mommy, a big, sparkly, rainbow unicorn with wings. Just like the one on my wall!”
“Waw! That’s incredible! Did you ask it for a ride?”
Another nod. “Yep, I did, but the unicorn said it was busy spinking magic dust on the fowers.”
I chuckle lightheartedly. “Busy unicorn. Maybe you’ll get that ride next time.”
Her face scrunches into sheer determination that oddly reminds me of Grayson when he looks at me sometimes—except far less menacing and much more adorable. “Oh, I will, Mommy! Next time Mrs. Garcia takes me, I’m going to bring carrots!”
“Good thinking, baby. Unicorns love carrots.”
A noise behind her has Aurora turning around, and I faintly hear my mother’s sharp tone in the background.
“I gotta go, Mommy. Lily’s picking me up.”
“Okay, baby. Have fun at gymnastics, okay?”
“I will, Mommy. Love you.”
“I love you too,” I say with tears in my eyes. “To the moon and back.”
She leans in and kisses the camera. “To the moon and back.”
The camera swings away from her face as she works out how to hang up before the screen goes black, and alone, I sag against the couch cushions.
My heart clenches painfully, that relentless, gnawing grief that’s always present, sharpening into a knife as the overwhelming sense of missing her threatens to tear me apart. Especially now with the threat of Bertram’s release hanging over my head.
Tapping the screen, my phone lights up, and my eyes widen when I realize it’s after midday. Logan will be home soon. He suggested grabbing lunch when he got back, and I have an assignment I need to finish that is due this week.
Squeak.
The creaking of a floorboard has my head snapping up as I turn to find Grayson standing in the doorway. Dark eyes bore into mine, his drawn expression inscrutable as he tilts his head, gaze assessing.
Fuck. I thought he was staying in the city this week.How long has he been standing there?
“Who were you just talking to?” His voice is carefully contained, and I can barely form a response over the chaoticthumpingagainst my ribs.
