I made a snap decision to go with a direct approach.
“I just wanted to ask you when you last saw my dad.” I kept an innocent, bland expression on my face as I continued. “He was going to visit you the day I left for university, wasn’t he? I’m sure that’s what he’d planned to do, anyway.”
“I don’t recall the last time I saw him. Not since I married Arlo.” Her eyes met mine, glacial and completely devoid of emotion.
Lies.
I knew she’d met my dad—because he’d sent me the text to say so. He had no reason to lie to me, and the only reason she’d be lying right now is if she had something to hide.
Dredging up every bit of self-control I could, I kept my voice even and my posture relaxed. “Did you ever hear anything from him?”
“Winter. I hadn’t seen or spoken to him for a very long time. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but your father and I didn’t part on the best of terms, and our relationship never recovered.”
We were interrupted by the waitress with our coffees, and my mother jumped on the chance to change the subject.
“I’ve been meaning to speak with you regarding your relationship with your stepbrother.” She pursed her lips disapprovingly as she stared at me.
“Which one?”
“The eldest. Caiden,” she said, as if I wasn’t aware of who she was talking about. “I’ve heard some distasteful rumours that there may be something going on between the two of you. I want you to keep your distance. I shouldn’t have to remind you, but he’s your stepbrother. And, my dear, that boy is nothing but trouble.”
I bristled. “Really? In what way is he trouble, exactly? Please, enlighten me.” Shut up shut up shut up. Why was I provoking her?
She delicately sipped her coffee and threw me a disdainful glance. “Don’t insult my intelligence by playing stupid, dear. He’s rotten to the core. In and out of trouble ever since he was a child. It’s no wonder his mother took her own life, with a son like that.”
What. The. Fuck.
I reeled back, stunned, suddenly short of breath. There was a loud ringing in my ears, and spots danced in front of my eyes.
“Winter! Winter!” I blinked, the room coming back into focus as my mother’s face appeared in front of me. “You’re causing a scene,” she hissed.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I wiped my sweating palms on my napkin and tried my best to get my erratic breathing under control. Swallowing hard, I met her gaze. “What did you say about his mother?”
“She took her own life.”
My heart lurched in my chest. “That’s awful. I’m so—”
“Coward.”
“Excuse me?”
“She was a coward.”
“Tell me you did not just say that!” My mouth dropped open in shock. “How fucking dare you call her a coward! She must have really needed help, help that she never got, to feel that was her only way out. Bloody hell, Mother, your heartlessness astounds me.”
I lurched to my feet, shaking with rage and staring down at her. She stared back, not even a flicker of remorse in her gaze. “I’m leaving, before I say something we both regret.”
“Don’t tell Weston. Arlo and Caiden don’t want him to know. Poor boy,” she tutted with faux sympathy.
I have never, in my entire life, wanted to punch someone, but at that moment in time, I wanted to break her fucking emotionless face. I whirled around and stormed out of the building, gasps and scandalised whispers following me.
I had to get away from her toxic presence.
I ran.
Eventually, lungs burning, I sank to the ground where I was, away from the buildings, supporting my back against a crumbling brick wall. Rifling through the contents of my bag for my phone, I pulled it out and scrolled through the contacts.
I pressed his name before I could even think it through. I needed to hear his voice.
The phone rang and rang, and eventually his voicemail kicked in. I whimpered, ending the call and dialling Cassius instead.
“Winter?”
A choked sob escaped my throat. I couldn’t speak.
“What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “Cade didn’t answer his phone. Do you know where he is?” I managed to say.
“Sorry, babe, he’s off doing some shit with Z. He’s probably turned his phone off. He’ll be back later. You okay?” His voice was concerned.
The tears came.
“Shit, Winter. What did that bitch do to you? Do you need me to come and get you?”
“No!” I sat upright, trying to compose myself. “I-I don’t want to talk about her. And Kinslee’s coming.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” I croaked through my tears.
“Hey, it’s gonna be okay.” His voice was strong and reassuring. “You want me to get Cade to phone you back?”
“No,” I whispered. “It’s alright. Thanks, though.”
“You know you can call me anytime, alright?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I swiped under my eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears. “Got to go.”
I let the phone fall from my hand as I drew my knees up and buried my head in my arms and cried. Cried for the woman who had been in such a dark place that she’d taken her own life, for the two boys who had lost their mother, for the husband who had lost a wife. And instead, she’d been replaced with my mother, a cold, unemotional woman, who had no empathy or love to give these people who had had a piece of them ripped away.
Fuck. Cade had this huge, heavy secret that he’d had to carry around, hiding from his brother. Knowing what I did of Arlo, I doubt he would have provided much comfort. Had Caiden been all alone in this? The thought broke my heart. I so, so hoped Cass and Zayde had been there for him. And no wonder Caiden had hated me so much. I would have, too, if I were him. I never stood a chance, not with Christine Clifford as my mother.
Eventually, I calmed myself enough to pick up my phone and call Kinslee.
“Winter?” Her warm voice came through the speaker.
“Are you busy?” My voice was hoarse and cracked.
“Winter? Are you okay? Where are you? You need me to come and get you?”
“Please. I’m not sure where I am.” I looked around me, no landmarks to give me a clue. “I think I’m somewhere just out of town.”
“Send me your location from your maps app. I’ll find you. Be there as quick as I can.”
“Thanks.”
When she picked me up, she took one look at my face and declared we were having a girls’ night in with popcorn, chocolate, and cheesy movies. She didn’t pry, just squeezed my hand and said she was here if I wanted to talk.
I appreciated it more than she’d ever know.
Later that evening, lying in my bed, I went over everything I’d discovered from the disastrous meeting with my mother. I had actual proof that she was lying about my dad now. The stuff about Caiden and Weston’s mum, though…I didn’t even know how to begin to unpack that. If Cade ever wanted me to know, he should have been the one to tell me—my mother had no right to say anything. How was I going to be able to act normally around him, without blurting it out? And even worse, how was I supposed to keep it a secret from West?