Page 109 of Cold As Ice

“Really, Son.” She pursed her lips. “You can’t just—”

“Why don’t we all get a drink and sit down?” Aurora suggested, flashing me a pleading look.

“Fine.” I moved ahead of them, hoping like fuck Mom had something stronger than soda lying around.

Just being here, in these four walls, made my skin crawl. There were too many bad memories. Raised voices. Glass smashing. Her bitter, hateful stare following me around the house.

“Hey, you okay?” Rory caught up to me and squeezed my hand, but I wrenched it away, too angry. Too frustrated.

Too everything.

“Austin, I—”

“It’s fine,” I gritted out. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“I’ll make us all some coffee.”

Coffee?

I wanted vodka or whisky. Something to take the edge off, to settle the pit in my stomach.

“You look well,” Mom said from behind me. “That little seaside town suits you.”

Rory gave her a tight smile. “I’m very happy.”

“Good, that’s… good.”

“What? No compliments for me?” I spat.

“Austin,” Rory quietly warned, but it was too late. I was a teenager all over again.

A hotheaded fifteen-year-old living up to the reputation as the wayward son Susannah Hart wished she’d never had.

“Austin,” Mom started, a crack in her polished veneer.

“Don’t. I don’t want to hear whatever bullshit you’re about to spew. I came here for Rory, nothing more.”

“Well, then. I guess I should tell you…”

“Are you sick?” Rory blurted.

“Sick?” Mom frowned. “Gosh, no, Aurora. I’m… moving.”

“Moving?”

Mom nodded. “I’ve decided to sell the house and move back to Rochester. I recently reconnected with an old childhood friend, and well, I think there’s something there worth exploring.”

“You dragged us all the way up here to tell us you’re moving?” I asked, failing to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

“I thought you might take the rest of your things. Say goodbye.”

“G-goodbye?” Rory’s voice wobbled. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, Aurora, let’s not fool ourselves.” Mom had the audacity to brush Rory’s hair from her face.

Softly, tenderly, the way of a mother who actually gave a fuck.

“Your life isn’t here in Syracuse anymore. And I need a fresh start. Away from…” Her eyes flicked to mine, and my heart plummeted into my fucking toes.

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