Page 38 of Until Tomorrow Comes
“When she told me they had the baby, thatshewas healthy and then told me what they named her, I snapped. It was the only time that I’ve ever raised my voice at my mom.”
I glance at Kat, finding her brows furrowed, and she doesn’t need to speak for me to know the question playing on her mind.
“Before I found out the baby wasn’t mine, Molly and I picked out baby names, one for a boy and one for a girl…” I close my eyes, before releasing a slow breath.
“They didn’t…” Kat gasps. Movement shakes me, snapping my eyes open, I turn to watch as she shoves off the seat.
“Ella Rose Turner was what we chose for a girl.” I finish.
Kat stands in front of me, fists clenched. Her chest heaves and a scowl sets on her face. The sight of her leaves me speechless.
“Not only were the fuckers complete human trash… they chose a name thatyoupicked? Who does that?” She paces toward the deck railing, pivoting just before she reaches it and stomping back. “And your mom is trying to get you to go to their wedding?”
She continues pacing with a hand on her hip.
“Fuck that shit. I get that he’s also her son, but that’s messed up. No.”
In the short time I’ve known her, she’s never once been… mad.
I should not find angry Kat as hot as I do.
Kat stops in front of me again, dropping her arms while her features soften.
“I’m sorry you went through that, and that your mom continues to bring it up and make you relive that pain.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I dismiss her, not wanting her to feel sympathy for me. Kat shakes her head and sits next to me, taking my hand gently in hers.
“Think of it as an “I’m sorry” and understand your pain, while also finding it completely shitty that someone as amazing as you had to endure such pain from people who are supposed to love you.”
She rests her head on my shoulder, settling in and silently providing me with a comfort that I haven’t been able to find in the past two years.
There’s still anger and pain, but right now I feel…lighter.
14
Kat
“I come bearing gifts!” Thea’s voice cuts through the silence of the house as she shoves the back screen door open, causing me to jump.
My heart races slightly faster and I have to take a moment to remind myself to breathe.
But I didn’t scream or fly out of my seat. That’s a win.
I glance up from my e-reader and watch as Thea crosses the living room toward where I sit curled up on the couch. Two bags hang from one hand and a to-go coffee cup in the other. Stopping in front of me, an overly bright smile on her face, she offers me the cup.
Hesitantly, I reach out while eyeing the bags curiously. “And why are you bringing me gifts?”
“The coffee is my absolute favorite, a white chocolate caramel latte with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.” She states, ignoring my question.
“Okay?” I respond hesitantly but, not one to turn down free coffee, I set my e-reader down on the coffee table and sip the drink.
Before Thea can tell me what’s in the bag, Jackson steps in through the backdoor. Since falling into our routine of walking in the morning together, he’s been taking his daily runs every afternoon.
She doesn’t even bother trying to hide the fact that she’s checking him out, biting her lip and turning to face him. Considering he is shirtless and sweaty, I don’t blame her.
“Well, hey there, snack Jack.” Thea smirks, her dark eyes dancing with mirth as she places a hand on her perfectly curvy hips. Regardless of the fact that she said she’s never been interested in him, I can’t deny the spike of jealousy that takes root. I force myself to shove it aside, reminding myself that Jackson isn’t even mine to feel that way over.
Neither Jackson nor I have brought up that moment we almost had on the beach a few weeks ago. Luckily it also hasn’t been awkward between us.
