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I nuzzled her hair. “At least I’m good for something.”
“You haven’t asked me all day if I’m okay.”
“Didn’t need to.”
She paused, the silence heavy for a moment before she spoke. “It’s the day they came to tell me—”
There weren’t words, so I held her close.
I’d told Wicked I loved her before going to the VA hospital, but even through the snark, even through the crazy back and forth between us, nothing had prepared me for seeing her care for others like today. And then be consumed with grief moments later. Her pain cut her deeply, far worse than anyone knew. How could I not love her?
She allowed me to hold her, and I was glad. I needed her in my arms at that moment.
We pulled up to my townhouse and had barely stopped when she stiffened, voice leaden with venom. “What isshedoing here?”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Marlow
Mother.
The one person I longed for most of my life who was never there. Now that I didn’t want anything to do with her, she wouldn’t go away.
“Want me to handle it?”
I was tempted to let Patrick get rid of her.
“I’ve got this.” I yanked on the door handle, smoothed a cool expression onto my face, and pretended like my back didn’t hurt like hell.
“At least I know where you are now.” She pushed off the concrete rail that flanked the steps. “Nice place.” Her eyes flicked toward the townhouse before landing on me.
Patrick touched the center of my spine in anI’m heregesture.
“You need to leave.” I clenched my fist at my side.
“That’s no way to talk to your mother, dear,” she said breezily. “Let’s go inside so I can see how badly you’re hurt.”
How did she know I was hurt?
“You need to leave.”
“I went by Jack’s grave today. Freshened the flowers. The ones there looked pitiful.”
The words were right on target.
Guilt that I’d neglected him nearly crippled me.
I swayed into Patrick, who steadied me with a hand to the hip. With a pleading look, I begged him to make her go away. I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t handle her.
“Leave.”
She didn’t move, her eyes on me. “With your mental issues, is it a good idea to have my grandson in your care?”
Mental issues?What was she talking about?
“I won’t say it again. Leave.”
She turned her disdain to him. “Soliciting sex? I absolutely don’t want my boy around someone the likes of you.”
