Page 100 of Colton

“I’m really not hungry, Mom.”

Her soft expression hardens. “I’m not doing this dance with you. You’re an adult, yes, but you’re my child. You’re going to eat what I put in front of you, or I will smack you into tomorrow, Avalon. And once you’re full, you’re going to tell me what happened, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

She stands up and walks around the counter, grabbing ingredients from the pantry and fridge, then starts to make me breakfast. For a moment, I just watch what she’s doing. We look so much alike, the same eyes, hair color, and even body build, while my siblings resemble Dad more.

It takes her less than five minutes to put together a sandwich for me, put it on a plate, and slide it over. She’s staring me down, waiting for me to eat, and with a sigh, I indulge.

I came home early this morning. To say Dad was shocked to see me on his way to work would be an understatement. Part of him was immediately happy, his eyes lighting up in pure bliss, before reality dawned on him. He tried to question me, though it fell through as he had to leave for work.

Mom and I decided to hide me in my old room while my siblings got ready for school, since I didn’t want to interrupt their schedule with my unannounced arrival. Just being home has made me feel more at ease.

Hearing my sister scream at my brothers to hurry up in the bathroom, or they’d be late, brought back memories. Their voices, loud laughter, and idle chatter early in the morning made me miss home so much more.

The sandwich tastes as I remember it — full of love, a bit too much mayonnaise, and bread I don’t remember having last time. Mom’s staring at me, watching me like a hawk as I take a bite, until I’m more than halfway through the sandwich.

Then, she pours me a glass of cold water, which I down with ease. The cold liquid slides down my throat, and I sigh, putting the glass back onto the counter. Mom walks over to me again, sitting next to me.

All my life, she’s been the kind of parent who gives her children space when they need it. She never pushed me to talk if I wasn’t ready, and she was never the one to judge me. But I have a feeling she won’t offer me the same grace right now.

“What’s happening, Avalon?” She asks, her voice cool, and I shiver. “I know you didn’t just drop by unannounced, and considering the Christmas gift you’ve given us, I can’t help but worry.”

She’s referring to the money I got from the pictures Colton bought. I bought a used car for my siblings and used the rest to pay off my parents’ debt, even if it wasn’t the full amount. I left myself around two grand, in case I ever needed it. Well, I did end up needing it, because it hurts to think about how much I paid for the taxi fare to come back home this morning.

“Nothing,” I lie, but it falls flat. “I just wanted to come see you guys.”

Her brows narrow in suspicion, and when Chloe Evans gets suspicious, she chases that feeling until she’s either proven right or wrong. Unfortunately, she’s rarely been proven wrong, especially when it comes to her children.

“You need to understand what this looks like,” she says softly. “Our daughter, who’s attending one of the most expensive schools in the world, suddenly comes home with so much cash that it would take your father months to earn. Be honest, are you involved in anything illegal?”

“No!” My eyes widen. “What? I’d never!”

She sighs, relief evident on her face. “Good, good,” she nods. “Then, tell me. What happened, Avalon?”

I bite the inside of my cheek, and I’m struggling to make a decision.

My parents are ten years older than Colton, meaning he’s closer to them in age than I am. In the beginning, when everything between Colton and me started, I didn’t think too much about how my parents would react. Simply because I didn’t think we’d have a bright future. But as time passed and I fell in love, it crossed my mind more than once how they might perceive this.

“I did something,” I admit. “When it started, I didn’t think it would go far; hence, I didn’t know the amount of consequences I’d have to face. Now it’s come back to bite me in the ass, and I ran away like a coward.”

Mom runs her hand through her hair and takes a deep breath. “That could mean anything from ‘I started dealing drugs’ to ‘I slept with my teacher,’ Avalon.”

Immediately, I freeze. Sure, Mom instincts and all of that is something I won’t say doesn’t exist, but how the hell is she able to be so spot on while taking a wild guess? My mouth opens as I try to come back with a retort, then closes when I come up empty.

“Avalon,” she whispers. “Tell me you’re not sleeping with your goddamn teacher.”

I swallow a knot in my throat, my hands trembling a little. “Technically, he’s the dean.”

“The dean?!” She screams, and I wince. Mom abruptly stands up, her eyes widening in pure shock. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?! What the hell is the matter with you? The dean, Avalon?! You might as well have slept with the headmaster!”

“It’s not something I planned on happening!” I defend, the white lie falling from my lips with ease.

“Oh, and you just accidentally ended up landing in his bed?!”

“The office, but—”

“Stop fucking talking!” She yells, and I shut up immediately. She starts pacing in the kitchen, going back and forth, breathing heavily. “This is serious! How long has this been going on, Avalon? Did that man give you the money you gave us?!”

“No!” I shake my head. “I was doing online jobs for a long time,” I say, which technically isn’t far from the truth.