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“Hello to you too, Mother.”
“Don’t be smart with me.” Her shoes clap the floor and grow quieter as they move away.
Hesitantly, I go down a few stairs and listen for further movement.
“What brought you by?” Devlyn doesn’t hide the curtness from his words. The sharp tone so different from what I am used to hearing from him.
Devlyn has told me about his parents, but not in in-depth detail. From what I do know, she sounds like a lot to handle. And by the way she speaks with Devlyn now, I don’t disagree with that opinion.
“Well,” she huffs out. “I came over to ask you to lunch, but with the state of your appearance, that isn’t happening.” Her shoes clap the floor again. This time, they grow louder and I panic. “Your father and I have planned a post-New Year’s party at the house for next Saturday. It’s more than enough—”
She stops speaking the moment my foot slips on the top stair and I fall on my butt.
“Shit,” I whisper as I scurry up into the studio. There is nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. So, I dash over to the table and sit on the stool. At least I can hide my bare legs.
Clap, clap, clap.
With each step she takes up the stairs, my heart shrivels a little more. When she reaches the landing, looks around the room, and spots me, a snarl displays on her face. Albeit brief, I still catch it.
The woman eyes me with disgust as Devlyn darts past her and comes to my side.
“Devlyn, who is this girl?”
Girl?
“Mother.” Devlyn wraps an arm around my waist then kisses my temple. “This is Shelly.” His eyes home back in on her. “My girlfriend.” She grinds her jaw. “Shelly, this is my mother, Karen Templar.”
If the tension were any thicker in the room, we would all suffocate.
Without a word, she turns on her heel and stomps down the stairs like a pouty juvenile. When she reaches the bottom floor, she shouts up the stairwell. “Devlyn, a word downstairs. Now.”
He doesn’t answer her. He doesn’t move from my side. Instead, he frames my face and holds my stare. “We’ll talk when she leaves. But please, don’t let her bother you.” He kisses my lips, my nose, my forehead. “Let me get rid of her, then we can talk.”
Speechless, I nod.
Devlyn darts down the stairs and I stay put on the stool. From my seat, I hoped to not hear what his mother would say next. Sadly, I hear every seething, ugly word.
“That girl will ruin your career. She will tarnish the Templar name. I bet she only wants your money. Have you gotten a good look at her?”
All the ugly words twirl in my head like a cyclone gone astray. One by one, her words cripple me. Douse me in fear and hurt. Steal the happiness from my soul.
Then Devlyn pipes up. “Enough, Mother!” he booms. “Enough.”
“Don’t you dare—”
“No, Mother, it’s my turn to speak. Thatwomanupstairs is brilliant and wonderful and kind. More than I could ever ask for or deserve. Without hesitation, she gives me her heart. More than you ever have.”
“I’ve heard enough.”
“No, you haven’t. Because you never listen.” Her shoes clap the floor and get quieter. “She matters to me. A lot. And if you can’t respect her or my feelings, I suggest you don’t stop by unannounced. Ever.”
My heart races in my chest. Tears well in my eyes. Not that no one has ever stood up for me, but this is different. This is someone I love putting me first. Over their family.
“How dare you speak to me with such disregard.”
“How dare I?How dare I?” Devlyn laughs without humor. “I’m done, Mother. Done. Don’t call or email. Don’t reach out at all. I’ll be changing the code to the door as soon as you leave.”
“You can’t just get rid of your mother, Devlyn. It doesn’t work that way.” The house goes eerily quiet a beat. “When that girl trashes your life, when you have nowhere left to turn, you’ll beg for my forgiveness.”
