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35
KAT
My stomach quivers as I hover outside of Mom’s room.
“You going to stand out here all day, Kitty Kat?”
“I just… I…”
“Hey, come here.” He takes my hands in his and pulls me close. “She’s your mom. She loves you. And all she wants is to see you happy, Kat. I promise you that.”
Styx’s kind words sink in, fisting my heart and filling my soul.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here… and I’m glad you kidnapped me.”
“Shit, Kitty Kat, I didn’t—” I arch a brow and he chuckles. “Okay, so maybe I did. But can’t say that I regret it. Not one bit. That motherfucker Ryder was right all along.”
“You know, you still haven’t told me why you call him Jack.”
A wide grin splits his face. “Story for another day. Now go on, get in there.” He pats my ass, and I shoot him a seething look.
But I don’t mean it.
Not even a little bit.
“I’ll wait right here.”
“Okay.” I grab the door handle and slip inside.
Mom’s face lights up the second she sees me. “K-Kat, baby, you’re here.”
“Hi, Mom.” I swallow the lump in my throat, moving to the side of her bed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay, it’s nice here. Everyone is very kind.”
Guilt claws at my insides. Guilt and regret and shame. Because when Mom needed me most, I wasn’t there.
I was weak. I let my own—
“Kat, baby. It doesn’t matter.” She takes my hand in hers, the tremor in her fingers making my heart drop. “You’re here now, you’re here.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh my girl, my sweet baby girl.” She cups my face as tears roll down my cheeks. “It’s okay, it’s okay. There’s no rule book for this kind of thing, Kat. Everyone deals with grief and pain in their own way.”
“How can you be so strong, Mom? I feel like I’m falling apart and you’re—”
“I made my peace with things a long time ago, baby. All I ever wanted is for you and Diesel to be happy. You deserve so much, baby. So, so much.”
“It’s nice in here.” I swipe away the tears clinging to my lashes and glance around Mom’s room.
The walls are painted in soft yellow with blue and yellow blinds and light wood furniture. The window overlooks the communal garden, lush green shrubs and flower beds that will look beautiful once the weather turns warmer.
“Diesel did good, baby.”
Of course Diesel arranged all this. He’s always been our rock, holding our broken family together.
Another wave of guilt crashes over me.
