Something flashes through his eyes, but all he says is, “Is she okay?”
“I’m not allowed to speak to my family.”
He growls. “Well, you should check on her.”
“I’m allowed to speak to my family then?”
“Just don’t release any information.”
This is a great opportunity to dig more into who he is. “What about your family? Do you speak to your adoptive father?”
My phone chimes, and I grin, knowing it’s Teddy. I pull it out of my pocket and read it.
Teddy: Are you around?
I wave the phone before I move away. “See you later.”
Seth: I’m here now. Everything okay?
Teddy: Yes.
Seth: It’s past midnight your time. Are you having trouble sleeping?
Teddy: Some. What about you? Did I wake you up?
Seth: No. I just finished a mission.
Teddy: The Z’s.
Seth: No. This was different.
Teddy: What did you do?
Seth: It’s confidential.
Teddy: Nothing?
Seth: I flew a jet?
Teddy: You always do.
Seth: Can you tell me why you can’t sleep?
Teddy: Thoughts.
Seth: Can you clarify?
Teddy: I’m overthinking.
Seth: Two words. I call that progress, but I need more than that.
Teddy: I had homework.
Seth: Sounds like something fun.
Teddy: You’d love it, geek.
Seth: Probably. What was it?
Teddy: An inspirational board where I put everything I want for my future.
Seth: So you need a picture of us for that? That’s what’s bothering you?
Teddy: You’re cocky.
Seth: At least tell me I made you smile.
Teddy: I won’t admit it.
Seth: Let’s not get sidetracked. Tell me what’s really bothering you.
Teddy: I never put too much thought into what I wanted for my future, but now I can’t see anything past tomorrow. How can I do this assignment?
Seth: Tomorrow is always important.
Teddy: Don’t start sending fortune cookie quotes.
Seth: You’re confusing me with Piper. Have you spoken to her?
Teddy: We text every day.
Seth: Did she give you the quote of the day and that’s why you’re annoyed?
Teddy: Surprisingly, she hasn’t done that lately.
Seth: How about you add as a goal growing your company?
Teddy: There’s that.
Seth: Spoiling your nieces and nephews?
Teddy: Will I be out of here before Burke’s baby is born?
Seth: You’re concerned about his but not Zach’s?
Teddy: Autumn is not that far along. But those are just things to look forward to. What do I want my future to look like?
Seth: I don’t know how your future will look, but I hope you invite me to be a part of it.
Teddy: How about your future?
Seth: Once I get out of here alive, I’ll dig into that. One thing is for sure though. I want you to be a part of mine, always.
Teddy: Can we make that happen?
Seth: Anything is possible.
Teddy: Let’s see if you like who I’m becoming.
Seth: What does that mean?
Teddy: The old Teddy was different—too different. She was happy, perky, and dripped positivity. This version is quiet, frightened, and… I can’t say that I love her.
Seth: We’ll both learn to love her, okay? Go to bed and let’s try this exercise again tomorrow when you’re less tired.
Teddy: Thank you for talking with me.
Seth: I’m always by your side, even when you can’t see me.
Chapter Seventeen
Teddy
It’s been eight weeks since I arrived at the center, and this is the first time Mom has visited me. I wish she had given me a heads-up, so I would’ve been ready for her. I was just at my kickboxing class. It’s one of the new sports and physical activity sessions the center is offering.
I take a quick shower, put on a pair of leggings and the fuzzy teal sweatshirt Piper sent along with the matching knitted boots. Her little sister, Winter, is the crafty wizard behind those two items. She’s pretty creative and is trying to add these items to her online store. I’m one of the people testing them.
After brushing my wet hair, I make my way to the visitor’s area.
When I enter the private room where we’re supposed to meet, I’m surprised to enter a cozy living room. It has a buffet table in the back. It has cookies, an electric kettle, a coffee maker, and a tea set. When my brothers visit, we spend most of the time outdoors or at the small visitor café. Next time one of them comes over, I plan on using one of these rooms.
Mom sits on one of the off-white couches near the window holding a teacup and looking completely different. Her hair isn’t platinum blonde, but its original hazelnut brown. She’s wearing a pair of jeans and a cute, knitted sweater. Not a tight designer dress with four-inch heels.
I don’t want to worry but I’m close to pulling out my phone and calling my brothers. Where is my mom?
“Are you okay, Mom?”
She looks up at me and smiles. “Sweetheart, you look good.”
Mom sets the teacup and saucer on the coffee table and stands up to hug me.
“It’s good to see you, Mom,” I hug her back.
“Your brothers just mentioned I could visit you.”
“They did, huh?” Myles and Kingston’s overprotective tendencies know no boundaries.
They visit me weekly, bringing presents from my other brothers. Fletcher has come a handful of times because his training schedule doesn’t allow him to travel often. Zach and Autumn came once with the kids.
Burke and Chloe aren’t traveling—someone should tell my unduly protective brother that flying is not the same as driving. I shouldn’t complain, though. They call me daily, and Chloe sends me cookies or desserts twice a week.
During my weekly phone conversations with Mom and Dad, I’ve meant to remind them that they could visit me. I always talk myself out of it knowing they’re very busy people. Knowing my brothers, I bet Dad also doesn’t know he’s allowed to come to visit.
“What happened to your hair? It looks gorgeous, but I haven’t seen your natural color since I was around ten.”
Self-consciously she pats her hair. “I’ve been going to a therapist.”
I tilt my head, cocking a brow as if waiting for more. “Your brothers might’ve mentioned that we all needed counseling. A lot has happened to the family, and we haven’t worked through those issues.”
“But the hair?”
She waves a hand around the couches. “Why don’t we take a seat?”
“Let me get myself some tea while you tell me why you decided on a new look.”
“I thought it was time to be myself again. I don’t have to continue pretending that everything is alright with my life and my family.”
“But isn’t that what we’re all supposed to do?” Okay, the question came out a little too blunt, but this is crazy.
“We were taught that while growing up—my sister and me.”
After preparing my tea, I sit on the couch opposite of her. “You’re nothing like her. Nothing. She couldn’t treat her son with special needs with love. If it wasn’t for you, Lang wouldn’t be the man he is.”