He’s not wrong. My perfection has always been my shield and now it’s the weapon pointed at my throat. No one is surprised by Brad Shaw’s scandals because they’re used to them, but with me, they’ll eat this up like it’s manna from heaven.
“I’ll deal with it,” I grind out.
He studies me for a long moment, then shakes his head.
Finally, Mom sets her phone aside. “Now that that’s out of the way… mind telling me why you went to my sweet girl’s workplace and laid your hands on her?”
My spine stiffens. Facing Dad is simple. Facing Mom? Terrifying.
“I didn’t assault her.”
Her eyes narrow. “Define assault. Because in my book, it includes grabbing someone forcefully. So, what
possessed you to do that to Sierra?”
The calm before the storm. She’s been waiting for this from the moment I walked into the room.
She stands and slowly crosses the room, looking up at me. She’s small compared to me but still manages
to make me feel two inches tall. Nothing scares a grown man like having to face their very pissed–off
mother.
“She’s like a daughter to me. And you had the audacity to put your hands on her? Is that how I raised you,
Noah?”
I remain silent, searching for words, but nothing comes to mind.
“Answer me! Did I raise you to go around assaulting women?”
“No”
“Have you ever seen your dad put his hands on me or any other woman for that matter?”
“No”
“Have you ever seen the men around you put their hands on any woman?
“No”
“Would you be okay with someone doing that to your sisters, your cousins or Nova?”
“No,” I grind out.
“So why would you do that to someone’s daughter? I know you’ve never liked Sierra, but you don’t lay a hand on her, no matter what. Am I fucking clear?”
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Dad chuckles, “No cursing, my love.”
She snorts. “I’m allowed to, especially when my idiot son decides to do something so terrible to someone I consider a daughter” she turns back to me. “Am I clear, Noah?”
“Yes mom” I reply.
“Good. Now you’re going to tell me what happened and why you were even at her workplace.”
Fuck! She was already suspicious, but the fact that I turned up at Sierra’s workplace just solidifies that
something is up.
“Nothing.” I rake my hand through my hair.
“Do you think I’m stupid, Noah?”
I shake my head. Finally I rake a hand through my hair and answer, “We had an altercation at the bar.
Lilly hit me. I was pissed.”
It sounds like a weak lie even to my own ears, but I can’t tell her the truth. Telling her the real reason will
lead to more questions.
“Let me get this straight, you were pissed at her because Lilly punched you.”
“Yes.”
Mom laughs low and dangerously. “I’m proud of Lilly for punching you. God knows you deserved it after you probably said something horrible… But Noah, if you’re going to lie to me, at least make it believable.”
She turns back to her seat, leaving my skin crawling.
“Here’s what’s going to happen.” Her tone brooks no argument. “I’ll invite Sierra to dinner tonight and
you’re going to apologize.”
“Mom-”
“Shut up, Noah,” she snaps, fuming. “You’ll do as I say, or so help me, Noah, I’ll skin you alive.”
“I’d listen if I were you,” Dad mutters, unhelpfully.
Mom glares at him before looking back at me. “We’re going to have a nice dinner, and you’re going to
apologize for being such an asshole… End of story.”
My jaw aches from how hard I’m grinding it. But there’s no winning against her.
“Fine,” I bite out.
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Evelyn M.M
