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“What time did you get home?” I ask her as I slide onto a stool.
“Shouldn’t that be my line?” My brow lifts and she chuckles. “Don’t worry, I was home at a respectable time. You and Ev were already passed out. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. She looked peaceful.” A shadow passes over her expression. “How is she, really?”
“She tries to hide it, but I know she’s scared.”
She has to be.
“Well, I’m here now. I’ll help as much as I can.”
“Thank you.”
“Where did you disappear to last night? One second you were there, the next…”
“I wasn’t feeling it.”
“I guess they’re a lot to be around.”
My brows pinch. “The club?”
“No, River and her harem of men.” A faint smile traces her lips. “It’s a lot of love to be confronted with.”
“She deserves it.”
“So I’ve heard. But it doesn’t mean we single gals don’t feel it.” Aunt Cassie reaches across the counter and squeezes my hand. “You know there’s someone out there waiting for you, right?”
“I don’t… I mean, I’m not looking for that.”
“Oh sweetie, we’re all looking for that. Even if we don’t think we are. It’s human nature to want to be connected to someone. Although I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something in the water around here given River has found three men to love on her just like Ray’s daughter. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and find my very own harem of bikers.”
“Oh my God,” I breathe, fighting a smile.
“What? A woman has needs. And Lord knows I deserve it after what I lived through the last few years.”
That kills the lighthearted mood.
“I’m sorry about everything,” I say.
“Oh hush now.” She waves me off. “I did what I had to in order to protect my boy. And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you got out of Colton. Both of you.”
“Yeah, sweetie. Me too. Me too.”
“I should probably fix Mom’s medication since she’ll be awake soon.”
“I know, why don’t you show me how to do it all so I can share the burden.”
“It isn’t a burden,” I snap defensively.
“Katrina, I didn’t mean… It was a poor choice of words. All I’m saying sweetie is, you’re not alone in this. I’m here, okay? And I’m not going anywhere.”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak as I get up and go to the small cabinet where we store Mom’s pills.
For the next twenty minutes, I talk Aunt Cassie through the correct doses and schedule. When we finally hear Mom stir, she insists on helping.
“Why don’t you go and take shower and I’ll check on her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I should—”
