Page 52 of What About Us

“Living my life.” I glance up at the medic, who looks like he’s been dealing with my mom’s sparkling personality for a while now, if the scowl on his face is anything to go by. “Is she free to go?”

“I need oxygen,” Mom barks.

“Actually, you don’t.” The medic shakes his head and looks beyond ready to cut Mom loose. Can’t say I blame him. “Your lungs are clear. You’re free to go.”

“Fucking idiot,” Mom mutters as the medic takes the oxygen mask from her and gestures for her to climb out of the ambulance.

No, I don’t help her. I don’t want to touch her.

The fluids did her some good, since she seems relatively sober and doesn’t wobble on her feet.

“Let’s go home,” she snaps at me. She’s such a fucking bitch.

“Mom, your home burned up because of your nicotine habit.”

“Your house, smart-ass.”

Oh God.

Oh fuck, I have to take her home with me. She doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and I can’t afford to put her somewhere else.

Fuck. My. Life.

I want to scream.

I want to hit something.

I want to beg the universe to tell me this isn’t true.

But right now, I just have to get her off the street and hidden away before she flashes all of Silver Springs. Before this is spread all over the town gossip.

Which is likely too late, if I’m being honest.

“Come on,” I finally say with a sigh and turn to find Xander striding my way. His gorgeous green eyes are pinned to mine, and he looks so angry.

But I know he’s not mad at me.

“Can you give us a ride to my house?” I ask him, and his eyes shift to my mom and back to me. “Please?”

He gives me a curt nod, and we lead my mother over to his SUV.

“I see, you’ve been whoring around with the famous hockey player rather than taking care of your responsibilities. Typical. Such a fucking whore.”

I feel like I was just kicked in the stomach, but Xander rounds on my mother and gets in her face, and Mom goes pale.

“Say that again. I fucking dare you.”

“Are you threatening me? Ivy, he’s⁠—”

“Shut the fuck up, Mom. Get in the goddamn car so you can stop humiliating me in front of the whole fucking town.”

Her jaw drops, but she does as she’s told and manages to keep her mouth shut during the three minute drive to my place.

“I need clothes, and yours are way too big for me,” she announces after she climbs out of the vehicle. “You’d better go get me some. Use his money, he’s made of it.”

She walks ahead, and I close my eyes in mortification.

“Xander—”