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She jerks back as though I’ve slapped her. “Mackenzie Dawn. I am your mother, and you willnotspeak to me disrespectfully.”
“I’ll treat you with respect when you seek counseling for your issues, like you insist I do for mine.” Months of pent-up frustration, trauma, pain, and humiliation come tumbling out of my lips, laced in every syllable of the words I spite at her. My body shakes as I stare my mom down. Sweat beads across my forehead, my cheeks hot. My pulse is thrumming through my veins, every stolen and hidden moment between Chase and me boiling down to defensiveness as I face my mom down.
“Kenz.” I’m not sure when Chase crossed the room to me, but his shocked voice and warm hands snag my attention. His eyes plead with me to stop.
I freeze, a momentary thought rolling over me like fast-moving storm clouds, changing my body temperature from hot to cold.What if she kicks Chase out? Your outburst may have worsened things.
My mom’s breaths come out in pants, her blue eyes wide from shock. “Icannotbelieve you just said that to me, Mackenzie.”
I open my mouth, about to snap back with a retort, but my dad rushes into the room. “What is going on here?”
At first, neither my mom nor I say anything. We just continue facing off, glaring at one another.
“Well?” My dad’s voice has an impatient edge.
“Mom overreacted to Chase being in my room.”
“In your room? You were lying on top of him.”
“So what, Mom? That isn’t a crime. We aren’t related and I love him. News flash—I’m not a virgin anymore. That was stolen from me when I was raped.”
My mom rears back again, as though I slapped her. Her face is pale except for two scarlet splotches on her cheeks.
“Mackenzie, you need to take five.” My dad looks at Chase. “Take her to the treehouse so she can calm down.” His strides eat the distance to my mom.
I stand there, unmoving, as Chase tugs on my arm.
“Now, please.”
Chase’s grip is as tight as the ropes that bound us as he grabs my hand and tugs me from my bedroom. I stare at my mom as we move past her before turning my attention away and focusing on keeping up with Chase’s long, fast strides as we march down the hallway.
I bite my lip, worrying about the damage I did.
63
MACKENZIE
“I’m sorry, Chase. I know I acted like a brat.” I’m sitting beside him, my legs dangling through the hole, the ladder beneath my feet.
“It’s not me you should be apologizing to, Kenz.”
I turn my head, looking up at him. I don’t miss the flash of disappointment in his eyes. I’m sure he’s upset and worried that my mom may ask him to leave.
“I shouldn’t have jeopardized us. I don’t regret my words, because they were the truth.” My chin lifts defiantly, a challenge in my eyes for Chase to argue with me. When he doesn’t, I continue. “But I hope she doesn’t want to do anything foolish now.”
“Kenz.” Frustration laces his tone. “You know my feelings about the situation with your mom. It sucks she’s having such a tough time with things. I agree that she needs to talk to someone and work out her emotions instead of believing I’m a replacement for her son. But, please, don’t jeopardize me living here with you. I couldn’t bear to be without you.”
I throw myself against him, knocking him against the wall. “Ican’tbe without you, Chase. I refuse. Whatever happens, we need to stick together.” My features soften as I give him a small smile. “Where you go, I go, remember?”
His eyes and voice are so soft. “That’s right. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that, okay?” His gaze flits to the treehouse window, as though he’s checking to ensure we’re alone. His lips seal over mine, soothing my frayed nerves and calming the storm that rages inside of me.
We sit outside for hours, ignoring the cold air and light breeze that blows through the treehouse. I have a mini heater out there, and Gavin, Dad, and I had strung fairy lights up years ago.
It’s better than going inside.
“Kenz. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
