Queen of Hawthorne Prep

“Good.” There’s a pause. “You’re thinner than what I’m used to.”

The same could be said for her. I guess this is what grief does. It ravages the people left behind until they become unrecognizable.

“I know.” I give her a thin smile. “Sometimes I forget to eat, I’ll work on that.”

Nervous energy careens through me. I busy my hands by lifting my cup and bringing it to my lips. There’s something intrinsically comforting about hot tea. The way it coats my throat in warmth, soothing me from the inside out. “Have you thought about the next step?”

“What do you mean?” Her brows knit together as she takes another drink.

I shrug, groping for the right words. “With the company. What will happen to it? What will happen to us?” A month ago, our futures seemed so set. Now, everything is in freefall. It’s a disconcerting sensation.

“I don’t know.” Uncertainty swims in her eyes as her voice softens. “I’ve been trying to get through this…loss. Sometimes it’s all I can do to get through each day. There are times when an hour feels like too much to handle.”

I nod, unable to imagine how difficult all this must be for her. Mom is only forty-four years old, and now she’s a widow. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s too soon to have this conversation.”

“No, it’s not.” She shakes her head as some of the sadness and grief fades. “The only thing I’m certain of is that we can’t stay here. I have no idea what will happen with the company. That’s something I need to figure out with the lawyer.”

Relief pumps through me at the knowledge that we’re on the same page. The sooner we get the hell out of Hawthorne, the better off we’ll all be.

She releases a measured breath as her voice grows steadier. “The first thing we need to do is figure out what options we have regarding the contract. If this Roland Donahue is worth the money he’s being paid, he’ll find a way to get rid of the affidavit without Keaton coming after us.” Bitterness flashes across her face. “I’d give him the damn company if I could. We’ve already lost too much.” Tears gather in her eyes as she reaches out and takes hold of my hand. “I won’t lose you, too.”

I swallow down the emotion that swells in my throat. “You’re not going to lose me.”

She nods before swiping at a stray tear. “I’m sorry for forcing you into this situation.”

There’s little point in rehashing the past. It won’t do us a damn bit of good. “It’s okay.”

“I really hate that you’re over there.” Before I can respond, she asks, “They’ve given you your own room, right?”

“Yup.”

“Good.” Her shoulders collapse as relief fills every line of tension in her face. The last two weeks have aged her by a decade. Maybe more. “I was afraid you were still sleeping with him.”

Guilt rushes through me as I bite my lip and glance away. This isn’t a conversation I want to get into with her.

“Summer?” Her voice turns sharp with disbelief. “Please tell me you’re not having sex with that boy!”

“Mom,” I groan, face flooding with heat, “please, I can’t talk about this right now. I really can’t.”

“Oh, Summer…” Shock and dismay settle over her features. It’s so reminiscent of the last look Dad gave me that I’m barely able to hold her gaze. I want to melt into the floor and disappear. “Please, please, please tell me that you’re using condoms.”

Last night crashes through my head. I don’t know if Kingsley used one. Protection, unfortunately, was the last thing on my mind. Although I sure as hell won’t be admitting that to her. The conversation that would follow is enough to make me spontaneously combust on the spot.

“Yeah,” I mumble, “we do.”

“I asked you before, but now the situation is different.” There’s a pause as she examines my eyes, searching them carefully for the truth. “Is he forcing you to have sex?”

My attention gets snagged by the dark liquid at the bottom of my cup. It’s so much easier to focus on that rather than meet her probing gaze. “Can we just drop this?”

“Please, I need to know he’s not hurting you.”

“He’s not.” I glance up. “Kingsley isn’t forcing me to do anything.” Images from hours ago tease and taunt me.

Push me away, Summer, or I’ll take you right here.

The sound of Mom’s voice dispels the memories, and for that I’m grateful.

“I found an OB-GYN in town. I was going to schedule an appointment before your dad died. I’ll call tomorrow. No matter what is happening, it’s important that your protected.”

She’s right. If the last couple of days have taught me anything, it’s that I have no willpower where Kingsley is concerned.

“After I set up the appointment, I’ll text you the information and we’ll get this taken care of.”