Chapter 6 #3
I rub my face and groan. Great. Just what I need after today, a full inbox reminding me that my life is still a mess.
Mom
Tried to call.
Mom
Please call me back.
Piper
How’s Kentucky treating you?
Heather
I can’t believe you cheated on Derek!
“Cheated on him?” I mutter under my breath and grip the wheel a little tighter. What does she mean? Is this what he’s telling everyone about our engagement ending? To make him look better? I can’t believe he’d do something like this.
Before I can dive deeper into my spiraling thoughts, my phone buzzes again. This time it’s my mom calling me. I want to ignore her, but I know if I don’t answer, the calls will keep coming. And I don’t want her to continue to worry. I feel guilty enough about that as it is.
I click the answer button. “Hey, Mom.”
Her frantic voice ricochets inside the car. “Maxinne, where are you?”
I wanted a few days, maybe even a few weeks, before I told her everything.
I knew that once she found out about the breakup and that I was in Covewood, she’d absolutely lose it.
I’ve always wanted to shield her from worry when I can.
She spent years carrying the weight of our family on her shoulders after my parents split up, working long hours and stretching every dollar to make sure Ashton and I never went without anything.
Even when she was exhausted, she still showed up for us.
That’s why I’ve never had the heart to leave her like Ashton did. As overbearing as she can be sometimes, I understand where it comes from. Loving people is how Mom survives, and I owe her more than I’ll ever be able to repay.
After watching her sacrifice so much for us, all I’ve ever wanted is the chance to take care of her for once.
That’s part of why finishing my degree matters so much to me.
I want a good job and the ability to ease some of the burdens she’s carried for years.
Keeping this from her probably wasn’t the best way to do that, but at the time, it felt easier than hearing the worry in her voice.
I exhale before answering, “I’m in Covewood.”
“Covewood? Why on earth—” Her voice stumbles as she tries to process the news. “I thought everything was fine with Derek. What happened?”
Tears sting behind my eyes, and I try to blink them back, but they slip anyway. At least she can’t see me fall apart, and I can focus on keeping my voice steady.
“Derek and I haven’t been happy for a long time.”
I envision her shaking her head as she replies, “I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to admit it out loud, I guess. We agreed it was best to end things.” My voice wavers on the last word.
“Oh, honey.” The sympathy in her voice nearly undoes me. “When did this happen?”
“A few days ago.”
“A few days ago?” her voice jumps an octave. “And you’re only telling me now?”
I wince. “I’m sorry.”
“Maxinne!”
“I was going to call. I just needed a little time to figure things out first.”
“But you didn’t have to figure it out alone.” Guilt twists in my gut because I know she’s right.
“I know.”
Her sigh crackles through the speaker.
“Okay,” she says carefully. “So why are you in Covewood?”
“Ashton suggested I come stay with him for the summer.”
“The whole summer? Of all the places you could have gone, you chose the town that took your father away from us.”
“He needs help.”
“So did you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I really don’t want to get into this with her right now. “Summer is Ashton’s busiest season with his job, and Dad’s still recovering from his stroke. They need an extra set of hands right now.”
“And what about what you need?”
The truth is, I don’t really know what I need right now. I only know that, today, for the first time since my life was uprooted, I wasn’t thinking about Derek. I was focused on what was right in front of me. And it was nice.
“I need some space,” I say quietly, sniffing away a few tears as I attempt to steady my voice. “I need time to figure out who I am without Derek.”
Mom is silent for a moment. “I understand that. But I still think you should’ve come home. You could stay with me, and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything.”
“I know,” my voice breaks, but I push through. “I love you. And I know you’re trying to help. But this is something I want to do for Ashton…and also for myself.”
The line goes quiet. When she finally speaks, her voice is gentler. “You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?”
I smile through my tears. “Yeah.”
Mom exhales as she tries to accept my choices. “You’re as stubborn as your father.”
“That’s not exactly a compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant to be.” Her tone is teasing, and a small laugh escapes both of us.
“I’ll be okay,” I promise and force a small smile, though she can’t see it.
“I know you will,” she replies, her voice softening. “I just wish I could be there to make sure of it. Will you call me tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“And answer your phone when I call.”
“Yes, Mom, I will. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” I reply, pressing the phone to my chest for a moment before hanging up. The silence inside the car feels like a small victory.