I sigh. “I’ve just come from visiting Hayleigh and meeting her family.”
She nods. “Ah, I see. Let me guess, it didn’t go well? How is she?”
We walk into the house, but I don’t see my dad. “Where’s dad?”
Mum leads us into the kitchen and points to one of the stools tucked under the island. “Sit. I’ll make us a cuppa, and you can tell me why your face is as long as Blackpool Pier.”
I smile despite feeling like shit. “I had to leave Hayleigh at her parents' house, and it feels fu-udging crap.” I have to stop myself at the last minute from swearing because that’s one of the things May Peterson doesn’t tolerate.
She smirks. “Nice save. Okay, so you had to leave Hayleigh. Did you leave on bad terms or…”
I shake my head. “No, nothing like that, it’s…” I swipe a hand down my face. “Her mother is horrible, but she’s staying for her sister; she doesn’t want to get married, so Hayleigh’s trying her best to get her out of there.”
Mum places a cup of tea in front of me and four chocolate biscuits. She leans on the island, hands under her chin. “She’s trying to fix now what she couldn’t before, and you have to let her do that, or you’ll lose her. She needs to feel like she can stand on her own two feet.”
I dip my biscuit into my cup of tea. “How long will that take?” I don’t look up, choosing instead to concentrate on not letting my biscuit fall.
“I wish I knew, honey, but right now she doesn’t need a white knight, she needs a safe pair of hands.” She pats me on the back as she walks out of the room, right as my phone dings.
Shortcake
I’m sorry for what she said to you, Nate. I’m so ashamed
This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen, for her mother to worm her way inside of her mind. My blood boils at how badly she treats Hayleigh. I’d love nothing more than to tell her where to go.
Me
It’s not on you. Besides, if she told me what she thought of me in a language I didn’t understand, it wouldn’t bother me because I wouldn’t be able to understand it *shrugging emoji*
Shortcake
*crying laughing emoji* you’re so weird, Nate, but thank you
Me
Always remember that family is who you choose to stand beside you…and it isn’t always blood
Shortcake
I needed that *heart emoji*
Me
No, you just need to remember who you are
Chapter 20
Hayleigh
After Nate left, I stormed off upstairs like a petulant child and slammed my door for good measure. Screw Morgana and Frank Wallcroft, screw their posh house and old-fashioned views and definitely screw Bennington the Third. I throw my phone down on the bed and rake my fingers through my hair.
I don’t want to be here anymore.The thought of staying another minute fills me with so much rage, but then leaving Thea knocks me sick.
A knock sounds on the door; it isn’t going to be Morgana, she’d have thrown it open with dramatic flair and announced herself.Maybe It’s Thea. I hurry across the room and open it to find Bennington standing there.
He doesn’t ask; instead, he nods behind me and crosses the threshold. His voice is nasally and pompous. “Got a moment?”
I cross my arms as he stands before me. “Doesn’t look like I have much of a choice, does it?
