A slow, evil smile crossed her lips. “Fine. I don’t have to go.”
But it wasn’t over. I knew that much without her saying the words.
She took a step back. And then another.
My heart hammered in my chest as I tried to calculate her next move. I had no other family here. There was no one to stop me from what I was doing. So, why did I feel like she was about to blow my world apart?
“Oh, Ma!” she called out in a sing-song voice.
I frowned, not understanding her move.
Then Parker’s mom came rushing around the corner, her hair a frizzy mess from a day of cooking, and her apron filled with bits of ingredients. Suddenly, those holidays from a long time ago came rushing back, their memories assaulting me.
“What is it, dear?”
Blake’s face twisted into a frown, and tears filled her eyes. What the hell was she doing? Blake never cried.
“He’s boxing again!” she cried out, jabbing a finger in my direction. “He swore it was over, and now—” She broke down in hysterical sobs, throwing herself into her mother-in-law’s arms.
I stared at the pair, at a loss for what to do as Mrs. Parker consoled my devious sister. How the hell could this have any effect on my life? These people weren’t my relatives. They had no say in what I did.
And yet, when Mrs. Parker turned her stern face on me, I felt just like a kid again. My balls shriveled up inside me, and the little boy inside me ducked his head in embarrassment.
“Samuel Collins! Do you mean to tell me that you’re boxing again without telling your family?”
“Yes, but?—”
“Common courtesy dictates that you should at least let them know your plans,” she chastised, blinking rapidly as she fanned herself.
“I would have, but?—”
“Above everything else, you should always think of your family. They love you.” She winced, bending over slightly. That should have been my sign to stop arguing. The woman didn’t look so good, but I was pissed as hell that Blake was using her to interfere.
“It’s my career,” I snapped.
“And they…” Her eyes squeezed tight as she bent over, gasping in pain. She teetered over into Blake’s arms, falling to her knees as she started wrenching.
“Clara!” Blake called out, her eyes wide as she held her. Jeff was on his feet in seconds, rushing over to his mother’s side.
“Parker!” Blake shouted.
Every Parker in the house ran into the room, all of them answering at the same time. But the moment they saw Clara collapsed on the ground with Jeff holding her tight, chaos erupted. Ben was by her side, gripping her hand tightly as he called to her, begging her to stay with him.
Michael was on the phone with the hospital, and Liam was barking orders at Maverick to get the truck and bring it around.
And I just stood there, shocked at the fact that this sweet woman was on the ground when just seconds before, she was talking to me.
“Sam, don’t be mean to your brothers,” Mom scolded me. “You should always take care of your family.”
“But I don’t want to play with them!” I whined.
“Family always takes care of family. Do you hear me?”
Ducking my head, I let out a loud sigh. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now, take your brothers…”
I glanced up when Mom didn’t finish her sentence. She gripped the back of the kitchen chair, her face pale as she held on for dear life.
