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My cheeks burn. “She’s fine. Just a little… wobbly on her feet, that’s all.”
“And my sons?”
“Still there, last I saw.”
She hums, amused, as she eyes me again. “And you?” she asks. “You’re not driving, are you?”
“No. I mean, yes. But I’m sober.”
“You’re sure? You’re welcome to bunk in the guest room tonight. I’d sleep better myself if you did.”
“No.” I release a laugh when I realize she’ll be cool. Can’t say I’m surprised. Rose Kirby has always been a cool mom. “I’m good. But thank you.”
“Are you heading back to campus?” she asks.
And face her brothers with her smell still lingering on my fingers?
“Think I’ll just go home,” I say.
“Straight home?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“All right.” She gives me another motherly smile. “Goodnight, Connor.”
I wave as I walk toward the front door. “Goodnight, Dr. Kirby.”
“You know…” she says, making me pause my stride, “I really appreciate the way you look out for my daughter. Don’t think I haven’t noticed all these years.”
I look down, unsure of how to reply. I never really considered looking after Dana as something extra. It’s just always been something I did, like breathing.
“It’s no problem,” I say after a moment. “Goodnight.”
I leave the house, hearing her locking the door behind me as I make my way down the driveway. The neighborhood is empty, quiet. A warm night, hotter than usual, though maybe that’s just the adrenaline kick of bad decisions pumping through my bloodstream.
Settling in for the short drive home, I glance at the house, my eyes climbing the long limbs of the tree outside toward Dana’s window. It’s vacant, her room as dark as I left it. Is she still awake up there? Thinking about me?
Part of me hopes she is.
Another part hopes she forgets everything.
I’m not sure which one is right.
CHAPTER 16
DANA
“Rise and shine, daughter-mine!”
I cringe from the edge of sleep, my mother’s perky morning voice penetrating my ears. “I’m up,” I murmur out of a habit.
“Dana.”
“I’m up.”
“Happy Saturday!”
I force my eyes open, finding her lingering over my bed with a glass of water in one hand. “Then why are you waking me up?” I ask.
