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“Dad.” Holden’s voice was firm, threatening.
Tim smirked, then moved out of my way. I shuffled by him as fast as I could. This wouldn’t work. There was no way in hell Holden could leave me alone in the house with his father. Ever.
My overloaded brain tried to piece the new information together. Logan. Tim. Tim had been home earlier in the day, and I suspected his bedroom was one of the locked doors.
Peeking at the lasagna, I was grateful I’d cooked. Maybe it would be a way to break the ice with Holden’s dad and move toward a better experience.
“My goodness that smells amazing.” Heels clicked on the floor as someone descended the stairs. “And the downstairs is spotless. What a surprise!” A stunning woman patted her chest as she looked around, then her attention landed on me. “I should never be surprised to come home and find a gorgeous girl in my son’s kitchen.” She chuckled and tucked a dark lock of her shoulder-length hair behind her ear, her diamond rings catching the light.
Holden’s mom. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to make me feel crappy with her remark about the gorgeous girls in the house or if it was meant as a compliment. Either way, I was in uncharted territory, and I suspected there was at least one shark in the water.
“Hi, I’m River.” I carefully placed the pan of food on the cooktop.
“Yes, the girl who my son found in our recycling bin. I’m Catherine, Holden’s mother.” She flashed a warm smile as she approached me. “How’s your leg, dear?”
Unnerved, I removed the oven mitt from my hand and faced her, attempting to assess the situation. Friend or foe?
“Holden told you?” Funny, he hadn’t mentioned anything to me.
“Holden tells me everything.” She strolled across the kitchen, collected a glass from the cabinet, then made herself what appeared to be a strong alcoholic drink. I wasn’t sure I didn’t want to join her. I brushed off the thought. I needed to stay aware and keep my head clear.
“Everything?” My tone came across as challenging, and I internally cringed.
“Well, almost. He doesn’t need to tell me you two are sleeping together. Do you need help with birth control? I don’t see kids in my son’s future.”
Everything inside me bristled. “No, thank you.” If this had been anyone else’s mother, I would have already put her in check. My sexual relationship with Holden wasn’t any of her goddamned business. I’d visited Planned Parenthood and started birth control after the first time Dan raped me and had stolen my virginity.
She took a sip of her drink, then frowned. “I’m sorry, River. From what Holden has told me, I already like you. I just arrived home from an eleven-hour flight and that doesn’t count the layovers and driving. I tend to be direct and rude when I’m exhausted.”
I blanched at her apology. She was continuing to catch me off guard, and I didn’t like it.
“That’s a long flight. I would be exhausted, too.” What I really wanted to say was I’d be a cranky bitch, too, but that wouldn’t help matters any.
“I’m going to go change, then I can give you a hand with the rest of dinner. I’m looking forward to getting to know you, hon.” She gave me a little wave, then disappeared up the stairs.
I leaned against the counter, my heart jackhammering in my chest so hard it hurt. Sucking in a deep breath, I tried to reduce the panic that was blossoming inside of me. Fuck, fuck, fuck! And where was Holden? We definitely needed to discuss what had gone down with both of his parents.
“Hey, babe.” Holden hurried down the stairs. “I just ran into Mom. She said you two met.” He stopped short, his attention on me. “Oh Shit. What happened? You’re really pale, River.”
I picked up the oven glove, walked over to him, and smacked him on the chest. “You tell your mother everything?” I hissed. “She asked me if I needed birth control in the first five minutes we talked!” I hit him again for good measure, knowing full well I wasn’t hurting him, but I was mortified and pissed. “And why the hell didn’t you tell me your father was a creeper?”
Confusion furrowed his brows. “Umm, I don’t tell Mom everything. She knows about 4 Play, but not about the lower level, or how close Brynn, Jace, Chance, and some other high school friends really are. She’s only assuming you’re in my bed, babe. I needed to tell her that you were living here, though. Naturally, she had questions.” Regret twisted Holden’s features. “I’ve never seen my dad behave like that, though. I have no idea what’s up his ass.”
I blew out a big sigh and covered my face with my hands while I attempted to rein in my emotions—anger, fear, and major skepticism. I’d finally settled in with Holden and Brynn. Now I felt like I was backed into a corner again and questioning everyone.
Holden wrapped his arms around me, then whispered against my hair, “I know that picture has you on edge, and it does me too. We just need a few minutes to figure out what’s going on.”
I peeked up at him, and he stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Mom does know I’m in love with you. She really gets a bit … obnoxious when she’s exhausted. Given a few conversations, I think the two of you will hit it off. In fact, I know you will. Mom has mad respect for someone who survived what you have. You’re strong, smart, and can fend for yourself. She came from a rough background, too. Give her a bit of time to adjust, okay?”
Holden’s explanation and faith that Catherine and I could get along helped calm my nerves. “All right. If you and she are close, then I want to get to know her.”
“I’ll remind her not to be so forward.” He flashed me a boyish grin, then it fell. “As far as my father is concerned, keep your distance until we figure out what the hell is going on.”
I nodded against his chest as I bunched the material of his soft white shirt up in my fingers. “I don’t think he knows who I am, but I can’t tell for sure. What if he tells Logan that I’m here?”
Holden leaned his forehead against mine. “Dad wouldn’t want that kind of attention. He would wait until you went somewhere, then Logan would show up.”
“So, I’m trapped inside the house with the devil?” I cringed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that about your dad.”
