CHAPTER 26 #2
“However, you never liked those things. You’d rather spend your days inside a hospital taking care of other people’s families than running a household and going to social events.
And I don’t understand, and I don’t think I ever will.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you around, you’re my daughter. ”
That made Rila realize that her mother wasn’t doing it on purpose, she had been raised to be the way she was.
Yes, the constant criticism was annoying, but Naomi wasn’t doing it because she was a bad person.
She wanted to talk and spend time with Rila, however, taking her out for boring dinners and asking about when she was going to start a family was the only way she knew how to do that.
She wasn’t prepared to have a daughter who wasn’t interested in anything she experienced.
It sucked for her as a daughter, but she understood her mother's side.
— So, I hope you don't miss another dinner. Or at least let me know if you're going to do so — Naomi pushed her shoulders back and stiffened her spine, all the vulnerability from seconds ago completely gone.
— Only if you promise never to serve lamb again. Or caviar — she replied, her chest heating and the corner of her lip rising slightly with the usual exchange of barbs between them.
— Fine — Naomi exhaled and pressed her lips into a line — But, you will have to at least put on an earring.
— Mom, I already told you that I don't have that habit because we can't use those things in the hospital.
— I don't mind, leave one in the car and put it on when you get to the mansion — she lifted her chin, making it clear that there was no arguing about it.
— Okay, I'll put on earrings — Rila rolled her eyes — But I'll take Kieran whenever he's in town.
She wouldn't go through this alone again if she didn't have to, and her conscience didn't weigh on her at all for putting him through this. He still deserved to suffer a little for what he did.
— Well, he's not the kind of man your father or I would choose for you, but at least he's managed to become someone important, even if it's in the world of sports.
— Mom — she spoke in a warning tone.
Of course, Kieran didn’t come from a traditional or wealthy family, so they obviously wouldn’t be completely satisfied. But, as she had told him three days ago, she couldn’t care less about such things.
— Just promise me you won't get pregnant without being married, that would be a scandal for us, Rila.
— Oh my God, mom! — her eyes widened, the idea of pregnancy at this point in her life being something that made her nauseous — You don't need to worry about that.
A forced clearing of throat made her look back.
— Excuse me — Kieran's body was partially hidden behind the wall that separated the rest of the apartment from the kitchen — Sorry to interrupt, but I'm making pancakes and I need to know if you'll join us so I can make some more.
— Oh, no, I have brunch with some women from the Country Club in less than half an hour. But thanks for asking.
— No problem — he sent a weird look to Rila before disappearing again.
— Well, I have to go — her mother walked towards the door and held it open as she spoke over her shoulder — Don't forget our Christmas party on the twenty-third and let me know if you want to do something for your birthday.
Okay, the party that had become a tradition after the house in Vancouver was sold. And, as much as she sympathized a little with her mother now, she was still going to spend her birthday drinking at The Secret with her friends and going to a club afterward. And now, probably with Kieran too.
They said their goodbyes and Rila went to the kitchen, finding the player pouring pancake batter into a frying pan with a thoughtful expression.
Kieran Ward was shirtless in her kitchen making breakfast for them.
If forty-five days ago someone had told her this would happen, Rila would probably have punched them in the nose.
— Is everything ok? — she leaned her hip against the island in front of the stove. The place was built within three walls almost entirely surrounded by mint green cabinets and white marble countertops, the four island stools facing away from where the room opened into the living room.
— There's practically nothing to eat here, love — thank God she was leaning against the cabinet, because that last word made her knees wobble a little.
Love. It was the first time he had called her that — Good thing your mom didn't stay for pancakes, because you only had two eggs and some milk left in the fridge.
Oh, so that's why he looked at her strangely, because he couldn't find anything to prepare breakfast. And considering he was a professional athlete who ate like a monster, the empty fridge and cupboards were definitely something he wasn't used to.
— Yeah, I need to go to the grocery store — she mumbled — I keep putting it off because my schedule is crazy and I'm always exhausted when I come home from the hospital.
God, how she hated going to the grocery store, it was such a waste of time. It made her angry to think that she could be using those precious minutes to sleep instead of shopping.
— It's okay, it was enough for both of us — he placed the plate of pancakes in the center of the counter and pulled out the stool for her to sit on — I have to go back to meet the team, but I'll be back on Monday.
Give me your December schedule so I know when we'll be free to get together. Also, what's this suspension thing?
As they ate pancakes, which were almost as good as his mother’s, and Rila shared her problems with Kieran, she felt that feeling that had only come to her at the Beckers’ in recent years. She felt at home.