Not My Hero

Before I can think of anything to say, Lindy sneers, “Should’ve known the psycho and freak would become a couple. You know, birds of a feather and all that shit.”

Her words hurt because she’s insulting Colton, but I still can’t think of a way to respond.

Then Colton steps between us and glares at her, “Jealous much?”

Feeling a little braver, I mutter, “Green isn’t your color.”

Colton lets out a burst of laughter, and throwing his arm around my shoulders, he nudges me forward. Glancing over his shoulder at Lindy, Colton says, “Stop looking for attention from Brie. It makes you look desperate.”

Once we’re a distance away from Lindy, Colton smiles down at me. “You did good.”

I turn my gaze to him. “I did?”

“Yeah,” he gives me a sideways hug.

It makes me feel ten feet tall, knowing Colton is happy with the single sentence I managed to get out.

Walking to class, my chin lifts slightly higher, and I don’t feel as intimidated by the other students.COLTONWhen we get home, I go look for Mom while Brie changes out of her uniform.

“No, Jonah,” I hear Mom say before I nudge her bedroom door open. Mom’s pacing up and down at the foot of her bed, a frown on her face.

My heart immediately begins to beat faster, knowing she’s talking to my father.

“I want a divorce.” Mom lets out a huff and stops pacing, then hisses, “I won’t let you near Colton.” There’s a couple of seconds pause from her, then her voice climbs with anger, “I don’t care!”

I’ve never heard her talk that way to my father, and it fills me with hope that she’s finally done with him.

“Don’t come here,” she bites the words out.

I move forward, and only when I reach for the phone does Mom notice me. She begins to pull away until I say, “Let me talk to him.”

Mom hesitates for a moment, then relents and hands the device to me.

When I press it to my ear, I hear Dad say, “We all need to sit down and talk about this. I have to tie up things at the office, and then I’ll fly out to Black Mountain.”

“No, you won’t,” I growl, my anger quickly raging out of control just from hearing his voice.

“Colton?” Dad asks, and I can hear he’s caught off guard. “Son?”

“I’m not your son,” I grind through the rage, overwhelming me. “Don’t you dare come here.”

My eyes lock on Mom. She’s gotten so much better the past few days. I don’t want him near her.

Or Brie.

God, he’ll undo everything.

“I have a right to see my family,” he snaps.

“No, you don’t. You lost that right a long time ago.” My voice starts to tremble from all the effort it’s taking to stay in control and not lose my shit. “I swear I’ll put you in the ICU if you so much as set foot in this town. I won’t hold back anymore.”

“Oh, that’s rich,” he chuckles bitterly. “Fine, then I don’t see why I have to pay for your sorry ass to attend that elite school. I’ll cut off all financial aid to you and your mother.”

My temper shoots through the ceiling, and I shout, “I’ve never wanted your money.”

Mom grabs the phone from me and presses it to her ear. “Don’t threaten Colton with money. You will pay alimony. My lawyer will be in touch.” She cuts the call and then reaches for me. Wrapping me in a hug, she says, “He’ll be out of our lives soon.”

I shake my head and pull back. “Not as long as we’re taking his money.”

“It’s his responsibility to pay alimony. Let me handle it.”

I stare at Mom, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she really can handle it.

She must see the doubt on my face because she says, “I know I’ve let you down in the past, but I’ll make up for it. I promise. I don’t want you worrying about things anymore. I want you to focus on completing your senior year so you can go to college.”

I shake my head hard. “I’ll get a job. I’ll look after us.”

Mom lifts her hand and places it against my cheek. “My sweet boy. You’ve grown up too quickly.” She shakes her head. “It’s not your responsibility. I know you don’t have much faith in me, but I… give me a chance to be the mother I never was.”

I don’t want to hurt her, but can’t stop myself from asking, “Why now? Is it because of Brie?”

Mom’s eyes lock on mine. “I’m not going to lie to you. Seeing what happened to Brie was a wake-up call. It was hard to accept what was happening to us, but Brie’s circumstances have shined a bright light on it.” Mom’s voice begins to falter, and a tear sneaks over her cheek. “I let him abuse you. It’s one hundred percent my fault. I should’ve protected you and Brady. I’ll never forgive myself for allowing it to happen.”