Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Happy Christmas Eve, baby cakes!” Allie squeals as I walk into my brother’s living room at his townhome in Kensington.
He only bought this place last month, and after Christmas, the entire interior is being remodeled to better fit my brother’s style, but he wanted to be able to have Christmas together here first. This is the first time I’ve been to this home, and I like it more than the previous place he had in Chelsea, if only because of one feature.
While his former home was much more his style in décor, it did not have the expansive rooftop retreat that his new place in Kensington has.
We stayed up far too late on the rooftop, kept warm by portable heaters, talking about anything and everything, before moving to the living room in front of the large stone fireplace and roaring fire.
It was so nice to have such a normal evening. In fact, the simplicity was incredibly rare for me—and I loved it.
I walk into her outstretched arms and hug my cousin.
“I know that’s how they say it here, but I don’t think anyone is confusing you for a Brit, darling.
Merry Christmas, Allie.” My phone vibrates and I hope to see Jack’s name, but instead, it’s Bridget Wilson.
I am no longer calling her mom after everything that has happened in the last two months—she forfeited that right when she put her booze and asshole husband before the safety and well-being of her child.
Allie notices the screen before I send it to voicemail—again. “How many times has she called you in the last twenty-four hours?”
“I’m not even sure. I stopped counting after the tenth call last night.
” I try to sound indifferent, but that’s not my natural response, something Allie knows.
I was talking with Fiona, otherwise I would’ve turned my phone off all together after I spoke to Jack.
Bridget kept beeping into my call, and the relentless texts were annoying.
“If I block her number, she will just find a different way to contact me.” I shake my head as text alerts cause my phone to vibrate again.
Allie snatches my phone and huffs. “How bad are they?”
“Honestly, I think you should just let me delete them.” Allie’s avoidance makes me want to read them that much more. I hold my hand out and she reluctantly gives me my phone back.
Bridget
Tinsley Saoirse Sinclair.
Bridget
I raised you better than this. Answer my call and let’s find a solution.
Bridget
I am your mother. You cannot and will not ignore me, young lady.
“What delulu land is she in this morning if she thinks she raised you? I’m pretty sure Wells raised you more than Bridget did.” Allie rolls her eyes.
She’s not wrong. It’s also five in the morning in Chattanooga right now; the one property Rick somehow managed to purchase solely in their names and not in mine.
I have no idea what year they purchased the small estate, or even where exactly it is, and I don’t care to ever find out.
I suspect she still has the property where I grew up that was left to her when my dad died, but Rick isn’t supposed to leave the state of Tennessee.
I have no emotional ties to the Florida home.
I know Wells does, but I don’t remember our dad, and that home is just the first prison cell where Rick controlled me and my life.
Burn it down for all I care. I don’t want anything to do with any of it or any of them.
Odds are, Bridget hasn’t slept yet as she’s been calling and texting since before I went to bed last night.
But Bridget had the opportunity to choose me when Rick was arrested, but instead, she twisted the narrative to somehow make it all my fault and just a misunderstanding with Rick.
When she spoke to the press about it last week, it was the final straw for me.
“What did I do more than mother dearest?” Wells walks in, then kisses both of us on the cheek in greeting. “Merry Christmas Eve, ladies. What’s going on?” He eyes my cell phone and raises an eyebrow at me, just as my phone vibrates again.
Bridget
You ungrateful little bitch. After everything Rick and I did for you, this is how you repay us? You lied to the police, made up all kinds of stories, and then fired my husband? Is that how family treats each other? Debbie Jo told me you made everything up.
Bridget
I’m ashamed to call you my daughter.
Bridget
You can’t just ignore me. You owe me.
Bridget
Please, Tinsley. You can’t cut us off.
Bridget
ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE!
“You were more of a parent than Bridget ever was. Does she really think you’re going to have a relationship after everything that’s happened?” Allie asks incredulously.
Wells shakes his head. “No, I don’t think she’s asking about a relationship. I think she means Tinsley can’t cut them off financially.”
“What she really means is that I’ve cut them off from spending my money. How terrible of me.” I flip the phone over so I can’t read the screen as it vibrates once again. Wells looks at it and to me.
“Can I borrow your phone for a minute, Tins?”
“Yeah, but blocking her doesn’t stop her. She just finds a different phone to contact me from.”
“I don’t doubt that. Ladies, please feel free to start with breakfast; the chef will be here in fifteen minutes. There’s cut up fruit and mimosas in the fridge waiting for you.” Wells picks up my phone. “I’ll be in my office and back in a few.”
Allie pours a mimosa while I opt to make a latte. “What do you think he’s doing with your phone?” Allie asks me as I look down the hall toward my brother’s office.
I shrug. “I don’t know, but if it somehow stops Bridget, then I fully approve.”
As the chef arrives and gets set up in the kitchen, we move to the dining room and Wells joins us. “Happy Christmas, indeed.” He slides my phone back to me. “You will need to let whomever you want to have it, but you now have a new number. One that Rick and Bridget do not have.”
I look from the phone to my brother. “What? You really did that? They can’t reach me anymore?”
“I’m just sorry I didn’t think of it sooner. I guess we were so focused on all the other pieces of … well, everything, that we didn’t think to change your number. But you might want to let Jack know before he freaks out if he can’t reach you.” Wells grins as I jump and give him a hug.
“Thank you, seriously,” I whisper.
“Long overdue, honey. Now, the chef wants to know our egg orders and we have a few presents to open with breakfast. And that latte smells amazing—I need one of those immediately. Come on, ladies, we have activities for our holiday festivities. This day won’t celebrate itself, and I don’t know about you, but I feel like there is a lot to celebrate today. ”
I know there will be physical gifts to open today, but I’ve already been given the greatest gift of my life—my freedom. Other than having Jack here with me, I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate Christmas.