Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“You’re still in Colorado!?” I held the phone away from my ear and winced as my mother yelled on the other end. “It’s been four days since you missed your flight. I almost called the police.”
“I told you not to worry.”
“In one text message sent days ago, with zero follow-up information.”
I could practically hear her pacing on the other end.
A flurry of cabinets opened as she most likely searched for a wine glass into which to pour her signature Chardonnay.
Unfortunately, the appropriate amount of time to keep my phone on airplane mode had passed.
It had come to the point where, if I didn’t turn it on and call my mother, she would have likely filed a missing person report.
“I’m with Danny.”
“Who?”
“You know…from Tough Love.”
The line went quiet for a moment, but I knew she’d never hang up.
“The guy who broke up with you? What the hell are you doing with him?”
“He’s staying right outside Denver,” I said.
She laughed sharply. “Don’t pretend like that answers my question.”
I wasn’t sure if I was upset that I felt the need to justify my predicament to her, or if I was upset that it actually needed justifying.
Because most people wouldn’t think it was very smart of me to show up on the guy’s doorstep who said he didn’t want me.
But other people didn’t get to see how blissfully happy I was waking up in Danny’s arms every morning.
They couldn’t see how much he’d obviously opened up to me.
I’d already told myself this wasn’t the same as giving him a second chance—not really.
The show hardly counted as our first shot.
It was produced and we were being manipulated, with cameras on us every moment.
Even though my feelings for Danny were very real, everything else about the situation had been manufactured.
If I thought about it, in a way, this was actually our first chance.
But try explaining that one to my mother.
“We’ve been talking, and I drove out here to see him.”
“What about writing? You’re supposed to be convincing your label to take another chance on you.”
I bit my tongue, not ready to tell her that it might not be what I wanted. She’d likely have a heart attack right there on the phone, and I’d have to call emergency services to come revive her.
“You’re being such a stupid girl,” she muttered.
My cheeks heated. She’d always called me that when I was growing up, when I messed up a pageant question or got a C on a test.
I gripped the phone tighter. “I’m going to stay here awhile,” I said.
“Oh no, you’re not. I’m getting you on the first flight out of there.”
“You’re welcome to book one, but I won’t be on it.”
“Patricia.”
I flinched at my legal name. “I’m serious, Mom. I’m not ready to leave. The tour doesn’t start for a few more weeks, and I’m staying here.”
Talking with my mother just solidified my decision even further. I was happier here than I’d been in months.
At that moment, Danny walked through the front door trailed by Jaylon and Barrett. His cheeks were red from the cold as he peeled off his boots. I’d been so wrapped up in my conversation, I hadn’t even heard them pull up. They’d been gone all day, skiing and filming.
As soon as Danny caught sight of me, his brow crinkled in concern. “You okay?” he mouthed.
I nodded, realizing then that tears had welled up in my eyes. Talking to my mom always brought out all my insecurities and made me feel weak.
“I’ve got to go,” I said.
“Don’t you dare hang up on me—”
I pressed the red ‘end’ button, relishing the power in doing so. I was ending the conversation on my terms, something I rarely got to do.
Danny reached around me and pulled me into his chest, kissing the top of my head. “Was that your mom?”
“The one and only,” I said through a fake laugh.
He pulled back, still holding my shoulders, eyes searching mine. “Let me make you dinner,” he said.
“How about I make you guys dinner?” I asked, knowing that as willing as Danny was to cook for me, his recipe repertoire included spaghetti, tacos…and that was about it.
“Then we’re playing Scrabble,” Jaylon shouted, spilling into the kitchen. “I want a rematch!”
Barrett laughed. “It doesn’t matter if you play every night, she’s still going to whoop your ass.”
I grinned as I started taking things out of the fridge, handing them to Danny as he took over chopping duties. Maybe I was running away from real life. But it sure felt like I was running toward something better.