“Talon, I know losing your mom was really hard for you but, you're an adult now and I think you're old enough that now it's my turn to find love again. I've been lonely since we lost your mom. I never thought I could love again, but Lacy has helped me heal. I know this is going to be an adjustment for both of you, but we've decided not to waste any time and plan on getting married." Jackson’s words caused my eyes to bulge out of my head and my hands to lift up to chest.
“I would’ve told you sooner, Mia, but I didn’t think you could handle it. I mean look at how…” I put my hands up to make her stop talking. She didn’t know shit. Only what she wanted to. That was the thing about her; all her choices were hers to make. It was those that it affected that should’ve mattered just as much.
“I’m with Mia. This is fucked up.” Talon’s hands were going through his hair so fast I was sure he was going to start losing some.
As I knew I would, I shifted my anger to him. I couldn’t stand him. Not in class, not in the hallways, or around campus, but now I would be forced to endure a lifetime of stepsibling love with him? Fuck no. Fuck that. Fuck all these people.
I pushed my chair back, causing a loud scraping to sound across the marble floor which rang throughout the restaurant. I couldn’t do this shit, not here, not anywhere for that fact.
“Sit down, you’re being dramatic,” my mother whispered under her breath as we were starting to draw attention. What she didn’t know was that I didn’t care, or maybe she did and it just didn’t matter to her. Who knew at this point? All I knew was that I was getting out of here. I stood from my chair the same time Talon did. I wanted to reach across the distance between us and take my anger out on the asshole. Instead, I directed my attention back to my mother.
“Dramatic? Are you kidding me? I’m not the one that hid this for months. Also I refuse to be of any relation to that fucker over there.” I pointed at Talon’s form, watching him out of the corner of my eye.
He lifted his hand over his heart, anguish etching into his features. “Awe, I’m wounded. As if you’re something special yourself.” I could hear his disgust; at least it was mutual at this point and time.
“This isn’t about you, Mia. You need to stop being selfish. For the first time ever I am truly happy.” Jackson nodded in agreement, and I all but threw my hands in the air.
“Fuck you. Fuck all of you,” I yelled turning on my heels and walking away from the table with a purpose like I never felt before. I hated Talon, and now I was going to have to live with him. He was going to be a permanent fixture in my life from here on out. Any feelings or thoughts I had about him before this moment needed to go away. There was only room for hate and anger for that asshole in my heart.
My mother never got up from the table to follow me, to talk to me or see if I was going to be okay, and I didn’t shed one single tear until I got to my car. Then I realized just how real my father’s death was. My mom was moving on, going about her life like my father never existed.
“Don’t act like you hate it more than me.” Talon’s deep voice vibrated through my body just as I unlocked my car door. I wiped away any stray tears, not wanting him to know the emotions that had been moved inside of me.
“I don’t hate it. I just hate you,” I said hoarsely, my eyes catching on his as I slid into my Jeep closing the door and locking it behind me. Talon watched me for a moment longer, the concern in his eyes telling me he might care a little bit, but even I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Talon fuckin’ Reed. He was a sex-wielding addict who had no room for love or a care in the world in his heart, but I didn’t want to admit it out loud or even to myself that I kind of still wanted him.