Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

Nova shakes her head. “It goes both ways, you know? You never reached out to me, either.”

“Did I or did I not call you a few months ago?”

“Yeah, to tell me once again what a failure I am and how Jace isn’t good enough for me. Did you ever stop to think maybe it’s you who’s not good enough for me?”

Go Nova! I silently cheer. I’m proud of her for sticking up for herself.

Her mom stands, smoothing out her skirt. “I’ll get your father.”

“Thank you,” Nova says softly.

Once she’s gone we sit side by side on the white couch. It’s uncomfortable and definitely more for looks than actual comfort.

Nova’s hands wring together nervously, and I place mine overtop to still her movements.

It isn’t long until her mom breezes back into the room, head held high, followed by a tall man with graying hair, a smooth-shaven face, and an expensive looking suit and tie.

The man fiddles with the sleeves of his suit before sitting down.

“Novalee,” he says gruffly. No I missed you or I love you or I’m glad to see you. Just Novalee, like he’s disgusted to have her in his presence.

Sometimes, people horrify me. Is it so fucking hard to be nice?

“Hi, Dad.” Nova wiggles beside me, her unease rolling off her in waves.

“Who are you?” he asks.

I highly doubt he doesn’t know who I am—if her mom was aware of me, he must be too.

“Jace Kensington,” I reply, holding out my hand to shake his.

He eyes my hand before he finally takes it in his. The handshake is so quick I’m not sure it even happened, then the fucker has the audacity to wipe his hand on his pants leg.

Her mom runs her hands down her skirt, smoothing it out. “What brings you to town?”

“I wanted to see you guys.”

Her mom makes a noise of disbelief. “I highly doubt that. Liars are disgusting, Novalee, surely you can do better.”

Nova’s teeth clamp down and she looks torn between screaming and crying.

“Well, it’s the truth.”

Her mom looks at her nails, like Nova’s so unimportant she can’t even be bothered to look at her.

It takes everything in me to bite my tongue and not to tear into these people.

Her father sighs heavily and claps his hand. “You’re obviously here for a reason, get to the point and stop wasting our time. What is it? Do you need money? Your boyfriend looks like the type to lose all his on drugs. I can assure you, we won’t be digging you out of any more holes, young lady. This is your mess, you figure it out.”

Nova seethes. “Do not talk about him. You don’t even know him. And I’m assuming the holes you’re referring to is Greyson—yeah, that’s his name, but I’m sure Claudia told you since she seems to tell you everything. But I take serious offense to you insinuating my son is somehow less because I was young when I had him.” She takes a deep breath. “I came here to tell you I’m having a baby, and I’m happy, and I guess I hoped you’d be happy for me too.”

Her mom scoffs and clutches her heart. “But you’re not even married.”

“Another mistake, I’m sure,” her father pipes in.

What the fuck is it with people and thinking you can’t want to have a baby when you’re not married?

Nova stands so fast I nearly get whiplash. She points a menacing finger at my parents.