Two months ago
Austin and I walk into Bruce’s house hand in hand after a night at the clubhouse. We’ve been on spring break, so we’ve been able to spend more time together than usual. “Austin? Is that you?” Celeste asks from the living room.
Austin doesn’t answer. We walk down the hall and into the living room. She comes to a halt when we see two other people on the couch.
My hand tightens on hers immediately ’cause I know exactly who it is. Austin has her dark green eyes and dark hair. The woman looks older than she should be. Dark circles under her eyes and face full of wrinkles. You can tell she’s done drugs. Hell, by the way her eyes are dilated right now, she may be fucking high.
“Mom?” she shrieks. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I’m not sure when she spoke to her last. I haven’t asked. I never do. Just that one time I pushed her enough to tell me when I went to see her during lunch while she was suspended. She opened up to me a little bit the morning after her beach party, but that’s it. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to know. I just saw how painful it was for her to talk about it, so I quit prying. I understand that your past needs to be buried and forgotten.
Her mother smiles at her. Then she looks at my hand holding hers before she looks me up and down. Then she looks back at Austin.
Celeste clears her throat and pushes her blond hair behind her ear nervously. “Your mother wanted to come and give you the good news in person,” she announces.
“Good news?” Austin asks.
Her mother’s smile grows, and she holds out her left hand. “We got married.”
No one says anything. I watch the man who sits next to her mother. Phillip is his name. I remember it from the morning after her beach party. When she told me about him going through the photos in her phone. His eyes rake over her in a way that makes my blood boil. Her hair looks freshly fucked from my hands being in it last night and again this morning. She’s wearing my black zip-up hoodie and a pair of cotton shorts with her tennis shoes. That’s it. I ripped her shirt and bra off her last night. At the time, I enjoyed it. Now I wanna wrap her up in a blanket. A slow smile spreads across his face as his eyes land between her legs.
I take a step forward, jerking on her hand. She pulls me to a stop.
“When did this happen?” Austin asks.
Why would her mother come here to tell her this? There’s another reason why she is here, and it’s not for her daughter.
“Two weeks ago.” She claps her hands. “On St. Paddy’s Day.”
What the fuck? “You married this piece of shit on your daughter’s birthday?” I growl, unable to keep my mouth shut any longer.
Her mother narrows her eyes on me, and the piece of shit husband stands. “I don’t know who you are, son, but I’d suggest you not talk to her mother that way.”
I snort. “I’m not your son, and she’s sure as hell not a mother to her.”
The woman shoots to her feet. “Who the hell is this, Celeste?” she demands.
“His name is Cole, and he’s my boyfriend,” Austin snaps.
And I smile to myself. Yes, I am, and I will fucking kill both of you!
Celeste runs a hand through her hair. “I think it’s time you and Phillip go.” She clears her throat. “You got what you were promised.”
“Promised?” I question. There is their motive. Of course, her mother wouldn’t just come to see her. Even if it was to rub her marriage in her face. All she cares about is what Austin can get her. Money. And Bruce has plenty of that, but now that Austin is eighteen and about to graduate, that means no more money for her, so she’s gonna cash in before she no longer can.
The man chuckles, throwing his arm over the woman’s shoulders. “It’s adult business, son. You wouldn’t understand.” Then he looks at Austin. He stares at her eye again. She still has the faint bruise from Kellan knocking her face into the mirror the night of her birthday party. “Guess I trained you right.” Then he looks at me and winks.
I fist my hand not holding Austin’s. You’re dead!
“Out!” Celeste snaps.
Austin stands frozen next to me while they exit the room. Celeste follows them out, and Austin’s heavy breathing fills the large room.
“What the fuck was that?” I demand, releasing her hand.
Celeste joins us once again and sighs. “It’s nothing—”
“Bullshit!” I interrupt her, making Austin jump. “Why the hell were they here and what were they promised?” I know it has to be money. The question is why? Did Bruce plan on sending her back? He can’t. She’s eighteen now.