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“And you love her?” Greg asks, directing his attention to Saxon.
“Yes. I do. I always have. It’s why I did what I did.” Greg needs no explanation. “I’d hoped Sam would leave once I aced his SATs. But you both made sure that never happened.”
Greg clears his throat, clearly embarrassed, while Kellie attempts to salvage her reputation. But we’re way past that. “It was never—”
“Save your breath. I’ve told her everything.” Saxon quickly interrupts her speech. “She knows what I’ve done, who I am, and yet—” he turns to look at me “—it doesn’t seem to make a difference to her. She loves me, regardless of the fact I’m far from perfect.”
“No one’s perfect,” I whisper. I’m the textbook example of that.
Our attention never wavers from the other, exchanging silent comfort. We’ve got a long road ahead, but with him by my side, I know we can accomplish anything. Sam, however, doesn’t see the sentiment, but I don’t expect him to.
His slow clapping fills the room. “What a lovely story. I’m so pleased you bonded over my misfortune.”
“Sam, it’s not—”
“Don’t bother.” Saxon interjects, throwing our rule to the wind as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “It’s always easier to blame someone else instead of taking a good hard look in the mirror.”
Sam glares at our union like we just told him to go fuck himself. He pushes off the counter, a fire burning. Saxon swiftly pushes me from harm’s way, ready to finally put this to bed. I don’t have time to intervene because a gruff voice, a voice which has been my saving grace since I first heard it, booms through the kitchen.
“Boys, that’s enough!”
My father stands in the doorway, looking at the scene before him. My mother is by his side.Embrace the chaos,she said. Well, this right here is embracing it with both hands.
I’ve never been happier to see my parents, and once again, they’re saving me from heartache. They saved me when I was a nobody and have loved me unconditionally ever since. I haven’t told them the full story, but they only need to take one look at me to know that things have changed.
“Lucy…” My mom’s eyes fill with tears when she sees me, back up against the wall, breakdown number five hundred impending.
I don’t deserve her sympathy, but it feels nice to have someone in my corner. Sadly, Kellie shits on our happy reunion. “Thank god you’ve arrived. Maybe you can talk some sense into your daughter.”
“I’m sure whatever decision she’s made is one she hasn’t made lightly.” My father is quick to shoot her down. Greg clears his throat once again.
My father’s quip does not deter Kellie in the slightest as she casually straightens out her dress. “I wouldn’t be so sure. She’s decided Sam is no longer the man she wants to marry because it appears she’s inlovewith Saxon.” The word intended to represent all that’s sacred has never sounded dirtier than when spoken from her lips.
I rarely see my mom lose her temper, but right now, she looks seconds away from imploding. “If you’re implying that what Lucy feels is not genuine, then you don’t know her at all. I know my daughter, and this decision is one she has not taken lightly. I’m sure the same can be said about Saxon.”
I’ve never been prouder to be their daughter.
My mom focuses on Sam, who lowers his gaze. “I’m sorry, Samuel. I know you must be hurting, but taking your frustrations out on Lucy is unfair. She has been there for you, through thick and thin, and now, it’s time you do the same.” She looks at me with nothing but love. As does my father.
They will always see the good in me even when I can’t.
Kellie isn’t one for sentiments, though. “He needs to do no such thing. Lucycheatedon him, Maggie. They were engaged to be married, in case you’ve forgotten.”
And there’s that word again. One I should get into the habit of hearing.
My dad rushes forward, ready to defend our honor. But my mom doesn’t need saving.
“Don’t patronize me, Kellie. I never said this situation is ideal, but we must deal with it as best as we can. Lucy is aware of what she’s done, but I raised her to be an honest young woman and never to be afraid to stand up for what she wants.” I love this woman so very much.
My emotions are shot, but Saxon’s soft breathing lulls me into a calm state, and I rein in the ugly tears. I feel somewhat better knowing that my parents support my decision. But Kellie doesn’t take too lightly to being upstaged. Nor does she appreciate her favored son being treated as second best.
Staring at me, she curls her red lip. “You raised a tramp, one who has no morals or decency. She broke my son’s heart, and it’s only a matter of time before she does the same to Saxon. He’s just too blind and stupid to see her for what she is.”
My mouth falls open, and the room is silent—the calm before the storm.
It takes me a few seconds to realize she actually said what I thought she did. She’s never been one for small talk, a quality I once admired, but now, I just feel ill.
My mother’s porcelain cheeks blister a scarlet, and she advances forward, ready to give Kellie a piece of her mind. But she stops dead in her tracks when Saxon steps out in front of her, his rage almost blinding us all.
