Page 116 of Fake Love

Oh my god, is she mad?

I don’t know how to deal with this. Now, I’m really wishing that Maddox was here right now, because if anyone is going to get an ass chewing, it should be him.

I try to play it off as best I can.

“Lied? We didn’t lie,” my voice goes up an octave, and even I don’t believe me.

“Do you really want me to believe that I told my son that I wanted him to find a girl that would make him happy and then a week or two later, he has a girlfriend? Sweetheart, that boy knows his way with the ladies, sure, but the dude is not that good.”

I’m speechless. Absolutely speechless.

My brain is trying to work overtime trying to figure out something to say, but I come up with nothing.

After a few minutes of opening my mouth to let a few words out, I’m finally able to speak.

“Did you know when we came in July?” I ask, trying to remember if she gave us any clues that she knew our secret.

Nothing comes to mind.

She gives me a curt nod. “I did, but by that point I didn’t care. You two were already on the verge of admitting to yourselves that you were more, no need to mention anything.”

My mind is a little blown right now.

We were pretending to be a couple the majority of the time that we were here, and the whole time she knew it was all a lie.

Well, not all of it was a lie but still, she knew the whole time.

After a bit, I’m able to compose myself enough to give her a proper response.

“I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to lie to you. Maddox really wanted you to see him happy.”

Nora reaches over the recliner, extending a hand for me to take. When I do, she intertwines our fingers together and gives me a squeeze.

“I know you meant well by it. Do I wish you were real from the start? Sure, but when it comes to something I want, Maddox will do anything to make that happen, even this. In all honesty, I’m happy that he did this, because he did find someone that makes him happy, and I’m happy to see it. Really happy.”

Tears spring in Nora’s eyes and I can’t help but get a little misty eyes myself.

“So you’re not mad that we lied to you?”

She lets out a laugh that sounds exactly like her son’s. “No. Things work in mysterious ways, and in the end it worked out for the two of you. Something I’m happy about.”

Hopefully she’s right because right now, I don’t know what type of headspace Maddox is in.

What if the news of his mom having a possible new cancerous tumor takes him over the edge and not only he starts using again, but he throws me to the curb?

Anything is possible at this point.

“I’m happy about it too.” I say, giving her a small smile and letting a tear escape.

“Don’t cry,” she says, reaching up and wiping the tear away.

“What if he spirals and starts using again?” I say to her, every single fear seeping out into my words.

“If he does, he has you now to help him get out. I couldn’t do it alone last time, but together we can.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

What if I’m not enough to help get him out of that?

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