Page 125 of Take This Heart
He drags me on top of him and we get lost in each other again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
BRIGHT LIGHTS
MILO
Mom calls early the next day and I get out of bed to answer it, walking into the other room so I don’t wake up Goldie.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, love. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
I try to fight back a yawn, but it comes out anyway. “No worries.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. Call me back when you’re awake.”
“No, it’s okay, Mom. I’m awake now.” I chuckle.
“Ugh.” She laughs. “I’ve been awake for hours and didn’t even check the time. Listen...” She clears her throat. “Would it be helpful if I invited Ava here…without Bruce…so we could all talk? The more I think about it, the more certain I am that he’s avoiding bringing her here.” She exhales and groans. “He knows I’ve always been able to see right through him, and knowinghim,I’m afraid he’s using Ava as a pawnto get to Everett, and I don’t like itone bit. Maybe I could be a safe space for both Ava and Goldie.”
“I absolutely think you should reach out to Ava and try to get to know her. Please do it in a neutral place like a restaurant, instead of the house. But we should let the Whitmans work through their relationship with her as they see fit.” I bring the phone closer and lower my voice. “Mom, if I hadn’t stopped her, she might’ve burned the whole place down. That certainly seemed to be her intention. She did show remorse afterward, but she was also cornered. The bottom line is…we don’t know her. She’s family and I want to get to know her, but the truth is, she’s off to a shaky start.”
“Goodness, she sounds really troubled. Do you know what her upbringing was?”
My mom is a bleeding heart and I can tell by the empathy in her voice that this situation is already eating away at her.
“No, I don’t know much about her at all. I never could’ve imagined her being Goldie’s half-sister, and yeah, it wouldn’t surprise me if Bruce is using this situation to his advantage.”
“I hope he’ll do right by her.” She exhales, but there’s still worry in her voice. “Okay, I’ll let you go. Just wanted to run that by you. And I’m glad I did.” She laughs. “You know me—I would’ve been attempting a mimosa brunch here with Ava and Goldie to try to bring peace to them.”
“I know, Mom, and I love you for it.”
“I love you too, my boy.Hey,” her voice perks up. “You and Goldie sure were cozy last night. Things seemed…really good.”
I scrub my hand over my face, laughing under my breath. “Things are really good.”
“Well, you won’t hear me complaining about that. We’re not getting any younger, either one of us, and I’d like to beyoung enough to chase my grandkids around, thank you very much.”
I groan. “Let’s not rush things.”
She giggles and I’m glad that she sounds lighter than when she called.
“I love you, Mom. Keep me posted on how things go with Ava. You got the number I texted last night, right?”
“I love you too. And yes, I got it. I’ll reach out today.”
We hang up and I go to the bathroom I’ve been using when I’m not doing a water sport with Goldie in her bathroom. I get my toothbrush out of my shaving kit and brush my teeth before I shower. I’m shaving with a towel around my waist when Goldie leans against the doorway, her long hair wet. She’s wearing jean shorts and a baggy sweatshirt.
I set my razor down and tug her toward me. “Why do you always look so fuckable?”
“Dear dirty sir, I thinkyouhave a one-track mind.”
“When it comes to you...yes.” I laugh.
She grins and picks up my razor, carefully shaving the last strip of foam on my cheek. When she’s satisfied, she moves and turns the water on for me. I rinse and turn back to her. She runs her hand over my skin and lifts to her tiptoes. I lift her, setting her on the counter in front of me. She nuzzles her face against mine.
“Mmm,” she sighs. “Nice.”
