I glanced at Kinley, wanting to smile for her, but her gaze was captivated by someone behind me.
I never expected what happened next, only ruining our graduation.
“Babe, you oka—”
“Mom,” Kinley announced out of nowhere, making my body snap around to the woman who was suddenly walking toward us.
All eyes flew to her mother. In my head, I’d built her up to be this monster, but the woman walking toward Kinley was pretty.
Normal.
Not what I thought she’d look like.
Her hair was pinned back, and she was wearing a nice dress with a bag hanging off her shoulder. She appeared put together.
Sober.
My gaze went back to my girl, who was standing there frozen with wide eyes and an expression I’d never seen before. I didn’t know what came over me, but I stepped out in front of Kinley and placed her securely behind my back.
Her sorry excuse of a fucking mother stopped dead in her tracks.
“Christian,” Kinley exclaimed, surprised by my action.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped at her mom, incapable of holding back.
I’d seen Kinley bawl her eyes out too many times to give a flying fuck about this woman.
“Christian!” Mom reprimanded, grabbing my arm to yank me away from her, but I didn’t move an inch.
I was rooted to the ground. After what she’d put my girl through, she had no business being here now.
“Please, excuse my son,” Dad apologized for me, and I resisted the urge to tell him he didn’t owe her a damn thing. “He’s very protective of your daughter.”
She cautiously smiled. “I’m happy to hear she has such great friends—”
“I’m her boyfriend.”
“Oh, well I’m glad she has someone to protect her.”
I didn’t falter. “Somebody has to.”
“Christian…” Mom tried to get me to move again, but she didn’t need to that time.
Kinley stepped out in front of me instead.
—Kinley—
“Mom, what are you doing here?”
“It’s your graduation, Kinley. I’m here for you.”
Those words rang in my head over and over again. “For me?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I’m here only for you.”
I didn’t know what to say. I barely knew how to feel. I hadn’t seen or talked to her since they took me away from her over six years ago. My heart was beating out of my chest the longer I stood there taking her in. She looked better than I’d ever seen her.
I didn’t recognize the woman who was standing in front of me, yet I knew she was my mother.
“How did you know where I was?”
“I talked to your aunt. She was working today, and I didn’t want you to not have family in the stands.” Her eyes lit up. “I watched your entire ceremony. I’m so proud of you, honey. You graduated with honors. I always knew you’d accomplish amazing things. You were always such a smart little girl.”
My eyes connected with Jax. He was standing behind her, his concern for me radiated off of him. It was almost as bad as Christian’s.
“I’d love to go to lunch. Catch up. It’ll be my treat. You can pick anywhere you’d like to eat.”
“Your treat?” I asked, confused. She couldn’t hold down a job, we were always broke.
“Yes! I have a job. I’ve been working at a doctor’s office for the last three years in Dallas. It’s where I live. I’m his receptionist.”
“You live in Dallas?”
“You didn’t hear my messages or read my texts?” She shook her head, pretending like it didn’t hurt her to hear me say that. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. We can just start fresh, Kinley Care Bear.”
I winced, hearing her call me that. I used to love the Care Bears as a child. They were my favorite show to watch.
“Honey, I’ve missed you so much.” She stepped toward me, and I didn’t move, cemented to the ground beneath me.
“You look beautiful, Kinley.” She reached for my hair. “Your hair has gotten so long, and your face has changed, baby.”
“Yeah,” Christian scoffed out. “That’s what happens when you lose custody of your kid and she doesn’t want anything to do with you for over six years.”
“Christian!” I exclaimed, surprised he was acting like this.
I never considered how he would feel if my mom ever came back into my life. A huge part of me never thought this moment would even happen, but at the same time, I was immensely grateful it had.
I’d missed her more than anything in this world.
She was my mom.
Plain and simple.
I still worried about her. Growing up, our roles were reversed—she was the child, and I was the parent. I didn’t have to defend her to Christian. He should have understood this wasn’t his place to have an opinion.
It was mine.
“I can only imagine what you’ve heard about me,” she stated, meeting his eyes. “I completely understand your apprehension, but I mean Kinley no harm. I was such a mess back then, but I’m not like that anymore.” Her gaze shifted back to me. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through. I … ummm… I’m so embarrassed. All I want is a second chance with you. Please give me the opportunity to prove to you that I can be the mom you need. The one you’ve always wanted. I want so badly to prove to you that I’ve changed. I’m not that woman anymore, I swear to you.”
Despite hearing this all before, I desperately wanted to believe her.
She was my mom, and I loved her.
So I simply stated, “Okay.”
But Christian snapped, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me?”
All eyes shot to him again.
“This woman does not deserve—”
I interrupted him, looking at his family. “I’d like to speak to Christian alone please.”
His mom leaned in and kissed my cheek before his sister hugged me from behind.
Once they were gone, I peered at my mom. “Do you know where Louie’s is?”
She beamed. “Yes, the restaurant in town.”
“Can you meet us there?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll meet you anywhere.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “I just need to talk to Christian really quick. I’ll meet you there soon.”
“Thank you, Kinley Care Bear.” She drew me into a tight hug, and I melted into her embrace.
I’d lost count of how many nights I’d wished she was around to hold me, hug me, make me feel like she loved me. She held me close to her chest, closer than I’d felt in a long time. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes.
Her warmth.
Her scent.
Her love.
It was comforting and afflicting all at once.
The second she pulled away, I felt the loss of her touch. For a split second, I was scared I’d never see her again.
As if reading my mind, she vowed, “I promise I’m not going anywhere this time.”
I nodded, needing to hear that.
She turned around and left. It was only then I realized Jax was now standing next to Christian.