“He loves me too much.” She closes her eyes.
“No. Don’t say that. I used to believe you when you said he loves you too much, and now that turns my stomach. That’s not love at all. It’s violent and cruel. It’s the opposite of love. With Dad and Luke, what was Dad’s excuse—stress? Vengeance for his daughter? But he finds out you’re seeing someone and it’s, what—ownership…rage that he can’t have you? When I was little and he got upset at you for not working with that one actor, the slimy one…what was it then—your disobedience?” I choke back a sob. “You have an excuse for every single time he’s gone off on you, but please, please do not ever call it love.”
Her shoulders are shaking now with her sobs and she holds her arms out for me. I shift closer to her and hug her, careful not to hold her too tight. I feel terrible for saying these things to her now, but how can she still be making excuses for him? I thought when she divorced him, she’d at least partially seen the truth.
“You’re right, sweetheart. About all of it. I…I need to reevaluate things.”
I pull away and she shakes her head, tears still flowing. I grab tissues for her and help dab her face around her bandages.
“I shouldn’t be in any kind of a relationship,” she whispers. “But, I do need you to go home with Stefen. Just stay away from Raf.”
There’s a knock on the door and the nurse sticks her head inside. “There’s a gentleman out here who’d like to see you. Stefen? Should I send him back or tell him you’re too tired for visitors?”
“Send him back, please.”
She nods and backs out of the door.
“Why not Ashton’s house? You’re friends with his mom, right?”
A cloud covers her face. “She hasn’t called lately…I think she knows about Sookie and backed off.”
“Maybe other things are going on with her. Either way, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I stayed over there. I’d feel more comfortable there than—”
“Please don’t say a word about your father, okay?” she interrupts.
“Why, Mom? Why are you still protecting him?”
Two raps on the door pause our conversation and we watch as Stefen steps in with a colorful bouquet. His face is anguished as he looks at my mom.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she says, smiling as she continues to dab her eyes. “I get to go home tomorrow, so it can’t be that bad, right?” She smiles at the flowers he sets by the side of her bed. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
Stefen leans over and kisses her forehead and the gesture is so tender, so heartfelt, it takes my breath away. I struggle with the lump in my throat. Seeing him treat my mom as if he cherishes her—it’s something I’ve never seen.
It doesn’t mean I want to go home with him and I’m hoping to convince her that Ashton’s house is a better idea when he leaves, but she jumps the gun.
“Stefen, I hope you’re okay with this. I don’t feel comfortable having Gabriela at the house. Would you mind if she stays with you? I don’t have many friends here, and I trust you.”
I stare at my mother, willing her to look at me. How can she trust someone she hardly knows? And after all I’ve told her about Raf.
“Stefen is a private detective with his own agency,” she says, her eyes full of meaning when she looks at me. “He’ll keep you safe.”
I sink into the seat by the window and let out a long whoosh of breath. A momentary relief. “I didn’t know that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ashton and Raf both stand up when Stefen and I walk into the waiting room. Ashton’s by my side first, putting his arm around me, and I watch Raf cringe and look away. I wish it wasn’t so awkward between all of us, that Raf knew everything about Ashton…but it’s not my story to tell.
“We’re taking Gabriela home with us,” Stefen tells Raf. And I don’t miss the look that passes between them. The you better not do a thing to mess this up look.
Raf’s jaw clenches and he gives a subtle nod to both of us.
Ashton shakes his head. “No, she should come home with me. Right, Gabi?” He leans in closer, his fingers gripping me tighter.
“My mom asked Stefen to take me home,” I tell him. I pat his arm. “I’ll be okay,” I say under my breath.
Raf scoffs and when we all turn to him, he holds both hands up. “I’ll be on my best behavior, I swear.”
Ashton glares at him. “So help me, if I hear otherwise—”
“What? You’ll what?”
“Guys, this is not the time or place. And remember, you’re best friends. You’re seriously gonna let a girl come between you?”
All three of us glare at Stefen with that one. I resent the fact that he acts like I’m trying to come between them when all I’ve ever wanted is peace. He chuckles and waves his finger at all of us.
“Looks like you can at least agree on one thing. Come on, let’s get you home.” He pounds Ashton on the back. “We’ll take care of your girl, man.”
Raf growls and Stefen laughs again.
“Oh, to be this age again. I wouldn’t go back for all the money in the world.”
Raf rolls his eyes and we walk out of the hospital. I hug Ashton and Raf opens the door of his dad’s SUV, waiting for me to get in. He shuts the door behind me, never breaking our gaze. Ashton says something to him and he turns around, his shoulders tensing. When he gets in the car, he’s radiating anger.
The ride to the house is quiet, except for when Stefen goes through a drive-thru and asks what we want. Raf seems to have calmed down considerably by the time we get to the house and walk into the
