Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
MACKENZIE
“Mom, what are you doing here?”
The cool morning breeze swirls around us as I open the front door. Mom never stops by unannounced unless it’s to defend Jordan. I brace myself.
Instead, she shifts on her feet, fingers twisting the straps of her purse. “Since the boys don’t have school, I thought I’d pick them up. Give you time to study.”
“Oh.” My gaze flicks to my desk, where my nursing book lies open. Not that it matters. Every sentence reminds me of a particular surgeon I’m trying to forget.
“And”—Mom exhales, looking around the room as if searching for the right words. “I owe you an apology.”
I stiffen. Here it comes.
“Why don’t we sit down?” I motion toward the couch, keeping my tone neutral. “Want some coffee or tea?”
She shakes her head as she studies the floor. She follows me to the couch but won’t look at me. Guilt is eating her alive.
“I believed, in my heart, your brother always meant well.”
I snap. “Just stop! I’m not listening to excuses.”
“That’s not what I’m doing?— ”
“It’s not ?”
“No, let me explain.”
She draws a shaky breath, and something in her tone makes me pause. I clamp my mouth shut. I can’t keep reacting emotionally. I need to listen.
“I’ve been blind to Jordan’s behavior, partly out of guilt.” She shifts again, wringing her hands. “I clung to the hope he’d grow into the man I knew he could be. But he won’t. And I know that now.” Her voice cracks. “I blame myself.”
I lean back in my seat, throat tightening. “Jordan’s an adult, Mom. You’re not responsible for his behavior.”
“I didn’t fight hard enough when I left your father.” Her voice is small, broken. “I should’ve insisted Jordan live with us. That’s my biggest regret.”
Tears sting my eyes. Jordan would have chosen Dad anyway. But saying that won’t ease the guilt crushing her.
Instead, I move. I wrap my arms around her, and she crumples into me. Her body shakes as I murmur words of comfort. Because that’s what I always do . I shoulder the weight. I soothe. Even when I’m the one hurting.
“I pushed you away by holding on to him,” she whispers. “I see that now. And I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”
I pull back so she can see how serious I am. “Yes, it drove me crazy when you kept enabling him, but I love you, Mom. That will never change.”
“You forgive me?”
“Of course I do.”
She cups my face in her hands, wearing a sad smile. “My beautiful girl.”
I force a smile in return, but her words stab deep. Because I did the same damn thing with Nate.
“I drove away a good man.”
Mom’s eyes gleam. “Oh, honey. Something tells me he won’t be gone for long. ”
I scoff, blinking hard. “He won’t answer my calls. Or texts. I really blew it.”
“Give him time. That man loves you.”
I want to believe her. I just don’t.
After she and the boys leave, I focus on schoolwork despite my mind racing in a million different directions. I remain in this funk until the knock at the front door jars me to the present.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
A rush of queasiness hits me like a tsunami as I peek through the window and spot Detective Stubbs’s car parked in the driveway.
I yank the door open. “Detective Stubbs, please come in.”
Caleb’s eyes flick over my shoulder, scanning the house. “Are the boys here?”
“They’re at my mom’s.” I gesture to the desk. “I was trying to study, but … it’s hard to concentrate.” Especially when I keep thinking about Nate.
He nods. “I have news that may ease some of that tension.”
I stiffen. “Go on.”
“Your brother is in custody in San Francisco.”
A slow exhale leaves me. Finally.
“I don’t know how much money they can recover yet, but I’ll keep you updated.”
“So he admitted it?”
Caleb’s expression softens. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Mackenzie. I know it’s harder when it’s family.”
My jaw clenches. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I guess.”
“Speaking of your father,” Caleb continues, “they caught him for violating his parole. He’ll likely be heading back to prison.”
I nod. It’s too much to process. Too much loss, too much betrayal.
He cocks his head and purses his lips. “You can thank your boyfriend, Nate, for the arrest.”
My heart stops .
I snap my gaze to his. “What?”
“He tailed them. Even after we told him not to.” Caleb shakes his head. “Once they crossed jurisdiction, we could make the arrest.”
Nate helped? He was there?
I can barely form a response as Caleb heads for the door. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Again, I appreciate your help.”
I collapse onto the couch, reeling.
Then my phone rings.
Without thinking, I answer. “What else do you need, Mom?”
A pause.
Then—
“For you to forgive me.”
I freeze.
Oomph. My entire body absorbs Nate’s deep, baritone voice like a punch to the chest.
“Nate.” His name slips out in a whisper. A whimper. God, do I sound weak? I don’t even care.
He called. He actually called.
“It’s good hearing your voice,” he says, voice low and rough. “Even though I’m sure I’m probably the last person you want to talk to.”
I close my eyes. There are so many things I want to say.
But all I manage is, “Why are you calling, Nate?”
“Are you free this weekend? I’d like for us to talk.”
The pitter-pattering in my chest kicks up a notch. He came back.
“That can be arranged.”
“I’ve already cleared it with your mom. Pack an overnight bag. I’ll pick you up Saturday at one.”
“Oh.” I blink rapidly. “You talked to my mom ?”
“Is that a yes?”
I exhale. It’s not an answer. But it’s a start.
“That’s an affirmative, Dixon.”
“Good. I’ll see you Saturday.”
He hangs up before I can respond.
I stare at the phone as my lips curve upwards.
He came back.