Page 40 of Never Started
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“We need to talk, son,” she says, taking a seat next to me at the kitchen island and soothingly patting my shoulder.
“Mom, it’s been a long day–”
“And that is exactly why we need to talk.” She sighs softly and waits for me to turn to her. Our eyes meet before she continues, “I am so proud of you and how hard you’re working to help out and take over around here, but damnit, son, you are letting this place consume you already. This ranch is supposed to be a haven, not a curse.”
I scoff, only diverting my gaze for a moment. “It’s not a curse. Things just need to get done, Mom.”
“I love you, but that’s bullshit,” my mom says directly, holding my gaze with that‘I know you too well for you to lie to me’stare that has always worked on me. “I know you, Jettson. You’re an amazing man already, but I refuse to sit back and let you work yourself down to the bone just to escape whatever you’re running from.”
“I’m not running from anything.” The lie tastes sour as it leaves my mouth.
“Mhm,sure. We can pretend if that’s what you choose.” She pauses, pinning me with a knowing stare that says she sees straight through my bullshit. “The ranch will be okay; we will be okay. Henry can handle more than you give him credit for when Dad can’t. You don’t have to do so much. You know that. Youchooseto do this to yourself. If it’s not an escape, then what is it?”
Taking a bite of my reheated, lukewarm food, I allow her question to sink in before responding.
“Does this have anything to do with a certain blonde-haired beauty?” she asks softly, and I can tell she’s trying to tread lightly.
“She was just a friend, Mom.” Another lie.
“Oh, son. You may be able to lie to everyone else, but you can’t lie to me. I know my kids, and I saw the way you looked at her. She wasn’t just some girl for you; she wasthegirl. It’s okay to miss her.” My mom lets out a breath, resting her hand on my shoulder. “But it’s not okay to let missing her eat you alive. You’re too young. I don’t want that for you. When we agreed to let you step up on the ranch, we made you promise not to let it consume you. You’re breaking that promise.”
“I don’t know what else to do!” I snap unintentionally, but my mom remains unfazed and doesn’t falter. “Working is the only time I don’tfeel.”
She nods in understanding, her eyes softening at my admission. “I understand. But just know, if you don’t start setting yourself as a priority, then...” She pauses before lowering her voice to an almost comical whisper. “Then you’re fired.”
I snort. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me,” she teases, pushing to stand behind me and hugging my shoulders. “I love you, son. That’s why I’m worried about you. It’s time for you to make yourself a priority.”
I don’t speak—just nod.
I understand what she’s saying, but it isn’t that simple.
I wish it were.
Chapter eighteen
Izzy
April 2019
"Are you sure you don't want to come out with us, V? It'll do you some good to get out of this room." I stick my bottom lip out in a forced pout, attempting to convince her.
It doesn't work.
"Iz, I am not going out. Anyway, your friends all think I'm weird as fuck."
I roll my eyes. "They don't, and even if they do, fuck them. We could go, just you and me?"
"Excuse me?" Hannah says, barging into our apartment without knocking.
I flash her a glare. "I don't believe I stuttered." Rolling my eyes at Hannah, I look back at Via. "Are you sure? You've yet to come out with me..."
Via cannot stand Hannah. But Hannah’s too oblivious and self-obsessed to notice. Besides, she isn't a great friend. She's the kind of person who will stab you in the back the first chance she gets. Yet, I keep her around.
Yeah, I don't get it either.
