Break Your Fall (Bellsby Beach Book 2) by Malynda Schlegel

Author:Malynda Schlegel [Schlegel, Malynda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-21T16:00:00+00:00

I walk through the main house on my way back home, hoping to run into my mom to give her the Tupperware of spaghetti I’m holding instead of just tossing it into the fridge. I need to check on her, find what she’s thinking after the confession I put into Dad’s head, which I know is now in hers. It wouldn’t be out of character for Dad to transfer whatever words he would’ve had for me to her, especially now. Create a source for another one of their arguments.

I find her in the kitchen, crying over the emptied sink. Her pain is more uninhibited now that I’m not around as much to see, her back caving and shoulders jerking with each sob. The ache in my chest at seeing the ache in Mom’s turns to my clenched fists around the Tupperware.

Where the fuck are you, Dad? He should be here for her, taking his wife in his arms as she breaks down because of him.

Because of me?

“Mom?” My voice is low enough not to startle, but she jerks anyway, sniffing in all of her emotion as she turns to me and wipes her face.

“Oh, hi, honey.” She turns back to the sink to run a wetted hand over her cheeks. “How long have you been there?” I slide the Tupperware along the counter, freeing my hands to wrap her into a hug. “Oh, I’m fine,” she says as she leans into my hold and holds me back. “Anyone ever tell you you give the best hugs?”

I smile and give her a squeeze, pulling back to point out the spaghetti, get that out of the way. “From Camille and Julian.”

Mom smiles at the Tupperware, but it fades as she wipes more tears.

“Is it me or Dad?” I ask, and her eyes spring up to mine, her deep inhale expelling in a sigh.

“It’s just life, Tommy.”

“But Dad told you what I told him?”

She gives me a slight nod, and prefaces the rest of this conversation with, “The last thing I want is to sound like Ashby.” This is where my refereeing comes from. Mom has been mine and Dad’s. “I’m just worried about your future. And so is your dad.”

“Dad’s worried about my basketball future,” I clarify. “Particularly making sure that’s what it is.”

“And you’re not happy anymore? You don’t love basketball?” Mom’s eyes study me through concern. I see the worry, but there’s no judgment, which softens me and makes me say my next words.

“I love Reyna.” There’s a sad defeat in my voice that makes Mom squeeze one of my hands. My love for Reyna is the only thing I’m sure of and even she feels out of reach.

“Well, have you … I don’t know. Made a move?” Her words make me feel so low, like I have to convince Reyna to be with me, and I laugh out loud through that pain. I know my mom is only trying to help, but a move, like, I don’t know, telling

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