Page 29 of Inseparable
She kisses my forehead. “I’m sorry that happened to you, sweetheart, and I’m sure Devin feels terrible too.”
“Good. He deserves it.”
She brushes hair back out of my face. “I know you don’t really mean that, but I understand, and your feelings are completely normal. I’m angry that he’s hurt you, and hurt Ayden, but that boy has been hurting for years. It doesn’t excuse his actions, and although I’ve tried to help where I can, it’s no substitute for a loving home. I’m sure he didn’t mean to deliberately hurt either of you. You and Ayden mean the world to him.”
“Not anymore.”
“You’ll figure this out.”
I sniffle. “I already have, Mom. I can’t be his friend. Not after this. He’s the one who told me I’m always too quick to forgive, and he’s right. I can’t forgive him this.”
“You might feel differently in time.”
I twist around, staring at her in confusion. “Mom, I just told you he rejected me, screwed my archnemesis, and then drunkenly embarrassed me in front of everyone, yet you sound like a fully paid-up member of his fan club. What gives?”
She cups my face gently. “I hate that he’s done that to you, and I’ll bet he hates himself for it too, but it doesn’t change who he is. Devin is a good kid struggling in a shitty world. He’s lost but he’ll find his way back to you. And you have a massive heart and the capacity to handle this. You’ll forgive him.”
I shake my head, anger resurfacing. “Mom, didn’t you hear what I said? He doesn’t want me. He doesn’t love me! He’d rather screw that skank bag than call me his friend.”
“Sweetheart, that boy has been in love with you as long as you’ve been in love with him. If he’s pushing you away, he’s doing it to protect you, and I can’t hate Devin for caring about my little girl that much, no matter how poorly he went about it.”
Devin’s words from a few weeks ago drift through my mind, but I dismiss them, too angry and hurt to believe he meant it. I frown, scratching the back of my head. “You’re nuts. Like seriously, I’m kinda freaking out because this is not normal, Mom.”
She chuckles. “I consider that a good thing.”
I roll my eyes. “But you’re always sending Ayden and me googly eyes. I really don’t get it.”
“Ayden will be your friend for life, honey, and I love how well he takes care of you.”
“But that day when he was on the porch with the lilies, and we were in the car, you said—”
“That Ayden loves you too? I know he does, but love comes in many guises, and you can love more than one person at a time.”
“I feel like I’ve stepped into some warped alternate realm or like some alien being has invaded my mom’s body because this conversation is so surreal.”
She chuckles again. “You’re young, honey, and I know you feel things intensely, but emotions change, priorities shift, and people wander in and out of your life. I know it probably feels like the end of the world, but everything will right itself. I still remember how terrified I was when I finally plucked up the courage to confront your father about his abuse, and the day the divorce was granted was the best and the worst day of my life. I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to take care of you by myself, but time is a great healer, and when you reach your lowest point, you find inner strength you never realized you had. The best piece of advice I can give you is not to make any rash decisions. Let things settle before deciding what to do. Right now, you’re hurting, and understandably so, but things might look different in a few days or a few weeks. Don’t cut Devin out of your life until you’re sure it’s what you want to do, but if it is, then I’ll support your decision. I care about both those boys, and Lucas too, but you’re my daughter, and you’ll always come first.”
As we walk back to the ward, I’m mulling over Mom’s words of wisdom, thinking how lucky I am to have won the mother jackpot. Everything else may be turning to crap in my life, but she’s the one true constant I can always rely upon.
And that thought temporarily papers over the fissures in my heart.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ayden’s arm is broken, and he’s in a cast from his hand to just above his elbow. The doctor suggested he take a few days off school, but he’s way too stubborn to succumb to expert medical advice, so, when he turns up at my door bright and early on Monday morning, I can’t say I’m surprised. A familiar smile lights up his face. “Why are you so cheery?” I ask in a puzzled tone, shoveling another spoonful of cereal in my mouth.
“Your gorgeous face always puts a smile on mine.”
His lips twitch, and I stick my tongue out at him, but his words help thaw out my frozen heart. “You don’t have to do this for me,” I tell him, walking to the sink to rinse out my bowl.
“I’m not leaving you to face the fallout on your own.” I expect he’d cross his arms and attempt to stare me out of it if he was capable of the maneuver.
I put my bowl and spoon in the dishwasher, closing it with my hip. “I won’t be alone. The girls have my back.” Yesterday, Mariah, Madisyn, and Gabrielle all rallied around, dropping by to assure me they’ll support me in dealing with all the crap coming my way. Mariah is fit to kill Devin, but we’ve agreed that the best course of action is to ignore him and Becky. Easier said than done though.
With his good arm, Ayden grabs my waist, pulling me to him as I attempt to pass. He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “And I’m glad they are there for you, but I want to be too.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I inwardly curse. The last thing I want to do today is turn all teary-eyed and give Becky and her minions more ammunition. “You should be resting.”
“I can rest after school. I’m going to have tons of free time on my hands now I can’t train.”
