Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

Kissing my nose, he pulls away before starting his car. I’m bouncing with excitement. I still can’t believe this. I’ve wanted this for so long. And damn it, I’m going to rock the shit out of it.

All of a sudden, I want to share it with someone else. My mom. I have to tell my mom. She’ll be so excited! Pulling out my phone, I hit her name and put it to my ear.

“Who you calling?” he asks, confusion visible on his face as he turns on to Broadway.

“My mom,” I practically sing as she comes on the line.

“Hey, honey.”

“Mom! You’ll never guess what just happened.”

“What?” she asks, and I wish she sounded as excited as I am. But she will be! I relay what just happened. It’s almost like a dream. I even pinch myself just to make sure, because it isn’t that easy. This is happening. I haven’t paid my dues yet, but I got in. I really don’t want to owe his dad anything, but I guess I do now. That doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t trust him, and I really wish he’d disappear, but why am I thinking about that? That’s not my problem right now.

No, I’m supposed to enjoy my moment.

“Honey, that’s amazing.”

From the sound of her voice, it doesn’t seem like it is, but I ignore that. “Right? So the showcase is March fourth.”

“Great, make sure to let me know how it goes.”

I pause, my heart sinking. But then, no, they have to come.

“You can’t come?”

“Honey, no. Daddy is so busy with work.”

“Okay, but can’t you come?”

“Oh no, I don’t travel without him.”

She says it like it’s not a big deal, but it is. Doesn’t she realize that? I bite into my lip as I nod slowly, looking down at my thighs and hand. When Jace’s hand slides into mine, I close my eyes. Why did I even think it was a good idea to call her?

“Oh.”

“Don’t be upset, honey. It’s okay, and plus, I’ll see you Friday. Maybe we can talk him into it.”

I shouldn’t have to talk them into it. They should want to be there for me.

“Yeah. Okay, well, I gotta go back to class. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Great. Love you, honey.”

“Love you,” I say sadly before hanging up and letting out a long breath. I can’t believe it. I really can’t, and a part of me thinks maybe it didn’t happen. But it did and that just hurts. It fucking hurts. Like, why? Why aren’t I important enough? She didn’t even want to bring it up to my father or talk to him about coming. She didn’t ask anything about it. Or even about my life. Nothing. It doesn’t make sense. When the hell am I going to matter?

When the car stops, I glance up to see that we are at Jeni’s Ice Cream. I look over at Jace to find him looking back at me with concern in his eyes. “Do you feel like celebrating?”

My lips quirk and I shrug. “Why don’t they want to be there for me?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, baby. I’m sorry.”

I shake my head. “Oh well, you’ll be there. That’s all that matters.”

“And my family, of course,” he says, and then he is on his phone, putting it on speaker.

“Hey, baby,” his mom says, and I hear nothing but love in her voice.

“Hey, Mom. Guess what?”