Chapter Four

Sofia

Pushingmy hair out of my face, I lean back in my bed as I look at the ceiling. “Did you get the money?”

“Ah, bella, yes, thank you.”

My mom sounds a little stressed which, in return, stresses me out. I’ve been staring at my laptop screen trying to write this stupid paper that is also stressing me out. I really don’t need to stress; I have a meet tomorrow. Yet, here I am.

“Good. I was worried you hadn’t gotten it since I hadn’t heard anything.”

“Yes, sorry, I’ve been busy.”

“Busy? Doing what?”

“Working, bella. Ya know I gotta work.”

I love my mom so much, but her stubbornness sets my teeth on edge. She was supposed to quit her jobs when I left. I’ve asked her every single time I’ve spoken to her since coming to Nashville to quit her jobs, but she won’t. “Ma, you don’t need to work all the time. Quit the hotel.”

“No, I love it there.”

“Fine, then quit the day care.”

“But I’ll miss the kids. They love me, and you know if I don’t clean, they won’t.”

I know darn well she won’t quit the restaurant since her sister owns it. “Then the restaurant. Tia will understand. You’re tired,” I say, just for shits and giggles at this point.

She laughs at me. “Nah, bella, I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”

“Ma, you sound tired.”

“Well, I am, but it’s okay. I get bored, you know that, and with you being gone, I need something to do. Plus, we’ve almost paid off all the medical bills. When we do, I’ll quit. I promise.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. The medical bills she speaks of are nowhere near almost paid for, but I refuse to argue with her on that. Not while I’m so far away. “Okay. I’m holding you to that.”

She laughs once more, and I can’t help but smile. “Tomorrow is the big day, yes?”

The first meet of the season for the GymBulls is tomorrow, and I’m pumped. Tickets have already sold out, mostly to the student body, and that’s huge. Damien and Melissa weren’t sure what kind of support we’d have, but apparently, we have a lot. The students have wanted a gymnastics team, and they are about to get a stellar one. Man, I’m excited. “Yup. I’ve landed all my full twisting layouts.”

“Of course you have. You’re the best.” My grin grows as she goes on. “You’ll make sure to tag me on the Facebook?”

“Of course, Ma.”

“And you’ll send me pictures in the morning? Of you and that friend of yours.”

“Amelia.”

“Yes, Amelia,” she says but with more flair than my friend’s name needs. “I love her blue eyes.”

“Me too. She’s great. Though, I think she’s mad at me.”

“Why?”

“I said I’d go to her brother’s hockey game tonight, but I had a paper to do.”

“When’s it due? Next month?”

I smile. Mom knows me best. “Next week.”

“Ah, you should go out. Have fun, my bella. Let your hair down.”

I scoff. My hair is a curly hot mess that takes me hours to straighten. I’m not letting this mess down. “Ma, I can’t let my hair down. It’s a disaster all the time.”

“More of a reason,” she gushes, and I smile. “Ah, I miss you so, my bella.”

“I miss you more, Ma.” When the door opens, I look up to see Amelia walking in. She’s on the phone.

“I don’t know, Mommy. Call him.” She shuts the door, throwing her bag down before kicking off the high heels she left in. I don’t know how she walked in that high a heel, but she sure was all kinds of hot in them. She looks upset, though, and I hope it’s not at me.

“Hey, Ma, let me call you tomorrow.”

“Yes, afterward, bella. Unless you need me in the morning.”

I smile. “I always need my mama.”

Her heart is in her voice as she says, “Love you, bella.”

“Love you.”

Laying my phone beside me, I let my gaze land on Amelia as she sits down, rubbing her feet. “Maybe talk to him tomorrow at the meet? Yeah, I don’t know. He was bummed because of some stupid pass or something. You know how he is. Dwells on stupid stuff. Yeah, I don’t know. Ask Uncle Shea, then. Yeah, okay, I love you too. See you tomorrow.” Amelia rolls her eyes, throwing her phone down.

“I’m sorry.”

She looks at me, confused. “Huh?”

Pushing my computer off my lap, I move my legs over the side of the bed and hold her gaze. I don’t know why I feel the need to apologize, but I realize it’s because I don’t want her to be mad at me. Shit, how did she become some important to me so quickly? “I’m sorry I didn’t go.”

She waves me off. “Girl, it’s fine. You wanted to get your paper done. I was good. You missed the hotness, though. There is this one guy, Moon. Lord. Almighty. Fine dot com.”

I smile. “I thought you were mad at me.”

Tags: Toni Aleo Bellevue Bullies Romance
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