Page 557 of One More Kiss

“Oh.” Her expression cleared. “Okay, cool.”

She turned her attention back to the TV, and my mom tipped her head toward the kitchen. “How about a cup of tea?”

“That'd be great, thanks.” I took a seat at the table, watching as she swiftly readied the water then poured it over the tea leaves.

“Want to talk about it?” She slid the mug my way and I wrapped my hands around the porcelain, gratefully soaking up the warmth.

I shook my head. “I don't even know where to start.”

“The beginning is usually a good place,” she offered as she slid into the chair next to me. Even when I got pregnant at nineteen, my mother had never judged me. She offered her opinions freely and without reservation, but she was perpetually calm and always kept an open mind.

With a sigh, I relayed the story. She knew about my history with Blaze, of course, so I told her all about the drugs, and Mick’s denial that he had anything to do with them. Once I was done, I sat back and wiped away a stray tear. “I just don't know.”

My mother was silent for a few seconds. “Do you believe Mick was telling you the truth?”

Now that my mind wasn't so muddled, I was seeing things a little more clearly. “I do, actually.”

She gave a slow nod as she studied me. “So, what are you going to do?”

“I don't know,” I said glumly.

“You're more than welcome to stay here,” my mother offered. “Take tonight to make up your mind, then talk to him tomorrow and clear the air.”

I nodded. “I think I will, thanks.”

I made up the couch in the den with a sheet while Maddie took the love seat. She was asleep almost before I turned the lights out and I lay staring at the ceiling, my mother’s advice swirling through my brain. I'd talk to Mick tomorrow, get a straight answer once and for all. I hated the distance between us, hated the doubt that had crept in.

The secret I'd been carrying all day weighed even more heavily than before, and I rested one hand on my stomach. I'd been down this road once; I couldn't bear for it to happen again.

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