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“Just because they haven’t been discussed, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I’m good.”

“Whatever works for you, homegirl.” Parking, I hit the release button to free myself from my seat belt. “But do me a favor and put all mention of Jamie and our friendship to the side until we leave here. The last thing I need is for my parents to catch wind of it and turn it into a lecture that I’m not trying to hear.”

“Girl,” Raelynn sang, pushing her door open. “As hungry as I am for your mama’s mac and cheese, my mouth will be entirely too full to talk about a damn thing.”

Shaking my head at her antics, I led her up the steps to the house, using my key to grant us access inside. Whatever my mother was cooking smelled so delicious, it was almost criminal.

“Hey, y’all,” I greeted everyone as we entered the dining room.

“I hope you two washed your hands before you came barging up in here,” my mom fussed, removing one of the lids from the pan on the table.

“We stopped past the hallway bathroom on the way in,” I assured her, sliding into a chair.

Raelynn followed suit, taking the seat next to me.

“It’s good to see you, Rae,” my mom commented, arranging spoons in their respective pans. “Your face has been scarce around here.”

“I know,” Raelynn groaned. “And believe me, both I and my stomach feel it. But work has been so busy, I rarely have time to myself, let alone time to visit.”

“And where is that again? Maybe you can spread the word to try and get Nyx a job. I’ve told her a million times that she’s so much better than slanging bottles behind some bar. It’s not ladylike.”

“Excuse me?” I glared at her in disbelief.

This wasn’t the first time she’d been vocal about my job, but never in a way where it came off as if she were purposely trying to embarrass me.

“Now, Nyx. You know it isn’t proper for a young woman to be in that type of environment.”

“Ma,” Lincoln shot her a frown. “Don’t start. We’re supposed to be here for dinner. Not to discuss Nyx.”

“I’m just saying⁠—”

“What are you just saying, Ma,” I interrupted with a frown.

“Nyx,” my father interjected strongly. “Be respectful.”

It never failed to blow my mind how he said nothing when his wife was out of line but wouldn’t hesitate to defend her when someone told her about herself.

“I didn’t do anything other than ask a question.”

“It’s not always what you say. It’s how you say it.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I inhaled slowly, attempting to combat my frustration. I didn’t understand why there always seemed to be a bunch of drama whenever I came around.

Instinctively, I wanted to defend myself. But before I could open my mouth to do so, I heard Jamie’s voice in my head, telling me it wasn’t worth it. There were times to fight, and this wasn’t one of them.

It wasn’t like it would make much difference anyway. My mother didn’t like to listen to anything other than the sound of her own damn voice.

Like the amazing brother he was, Lincoln attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“Nyx, did you get everything with your tire taken care of?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Tire?” My mom’s face twisted as she finally took a seat. “When did you have tire trouble?”

“A little bit ago, and it’s taken care of now. I only had a flat.”

“I hope it wasn’t one of those nights that you were working late,” she hummed. “You don’t need to be out so la⁠—”