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Sloane is tense, her hand turning clammy in mine. I stroke her with my thumb and bend down to kiss her hand.
“I know this is hard for you to believe,” I tell my mother, “but I love Sloane. More than you could ever understand. I will do whatever I can to take care of her and make sure she feels adored like she absolutely should be. You of all people know what sort of shitty life she’s had when it comes to family. You—all of us—were her found family. She found and chose you to be hers. Now you want to throw it all away because she fell for your son?”
Mom looks at Sloane, her bottom lip trembling.
“Dempsey is so good to me,” Sloane says in a hoarse voice. “The best. I never knew a man could be so kind and loving. He’s breathed life into my bleak world, Jame. He’s a good man and doesn’t get enough credit for it. I wish everyone could see what I see.”
Her words make my chest tighten. “Aww, you love me, Officer Do-Good.”
She huffs out an annoyed laugh. “Yeah, you gave me no other choice.”
When I look back over at Mom, she’s studying us with new eyes, darting back and forth between us. Then she bursts into tears. Dad hugs her to him, stroking her hair and consoling her. Finally, she composes herself and gives us a watery smile.
“I just want you to be happy. For you both to be happy.” Mom swipes at her wet cheek. “If this is how it happens, then so be it. I’m sorry I’ve been such a witch about it. I love you both so much and can’t stand for either of you to get hurt.”
Something unfurls deep inside of me. Mom’s words are heartfelt and genuine. Maybe we can get through this shitty time sooner rather than later.
“Do you plan to come back home?” Dad asks, back to business. Always business with that guy. “What about school? Your career? I hope you’re not losing yourself in all this.”
“Dad,” I say in exasperation, “I’m finally figuring out who I am. I’ll start college in the fall like I said I would, but I’m going to actively pursue my art. I already have two paid gigs lined up.”
Dad nods, a smile tugging at his lips. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Your talent is too incredible to be wasted. The world needs to see what you can do.”
Pride surges through me. I am a good artist. My father agrees. Holy fuck. Shocking as hell, that’s for sure.
“I’m also going to take my earnings and buy my own car,” I tell him. “Something I can afford on my own. Something I’ll drive on my terms and no one else’s.”
Dad grins. Actually grins. I haven’t seen him look this happy in, well, ever. What the actual fuck?
“And I’ll get my own place, too,” I continue now that I’m on a roll. “I’m eighteen and a man. When Sloane is ready to have me forever, then I’ll be there. Until then, I think I’ll be happier not living at home.”
“I’m ready,” Sloane says. “Don’t go.”
I tear my gaze from Dad’s weirdly twinkling eyes to look at my girl. “What?”
“I want you here, too, Demps. I finally found someone who loves me and who I love back. You think I’m going to let that go?”
Holy shit. Sloane’s asking me to move in with her.
“You just like that you’re getting home-cooked meals on the regular,” I tease. “And that I cleaned out all the stale cookies from your pantry.”
“Hey, I know a good thing when I see it,” she jokes back.
“You’ve been cooking?” Mom asks, surprise in her tone. “So you do pay attention.”
I shrug my shoulders. “It’s your other kid you need to teach. That is, if you can get her to stop videoing herself for longer than five seconds.”
Dad chuckles. “She’s ‘influencing.’”
Sloane pokes at my thigh. “Be nice. She’s good at it. My nephew worships her.”
“It’s weird, though, right, Dad? She developed a cult of followers who buy what she tells them to buy. It’s like she’s mastered mind control. Fucking creepy if you ask me.”
Mom sighs in exasperation. “It’s not creepy. She’s a savvy, young businesswoman.”
“I’m sure half her followers are jerking off in their parents’ basements as she moisturizes her face live.”
“Dempsey!” Sloane and Mom both bark out at once.
