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My mother’s new husband has taken it upon himself to pay for my education.
Mystepfatherseems to think I want him to pay for my schooling. I have the money that we got from the accident and my father’s life insurance and 401k. Money I was going to use to get my degree. I don’t want or need him to buy me out.
And yet here I am, in the middle of whatever fucking city this is in Texas.
I snort. “Yeah, grateful to be here in small-town USA, Mom. There was nothing but cows for miles when we drove in! How am I supposed to get a degree from the set of a Hallmark movie?”
Am I being fair? No, I’m not, but I don’t want to be here. It’s vastly different than Las Vegas. There are trees everywhere. Grass actually grows. And beyond the house we are now living in, there’s a lake. Water. Something we are constantly told to conserve in the desert.
And then there’s the whole aspect of living in someone else’s house. My mother and Aaron met while she was working at one of the casinos.
My mother worked as an events coordinator for one of the hotels on the strip. Aaron was there for some sort of lawyer conference, and apparently it was love at first sight.Gag.
Yeah, my stepdad is a lawyer. And with that kind of money, I can see why he can afford such a property. I won’t lie, it’s a nice bit of land. Like I said, this place is covered in big, tall trees. The road leading up to here is nothing but gravel and dirt.
And now I should write a country song.
My mother sighs, “You will like this place, Rory. He converted a warehouse into a house and high-end garage. I mean, that’s all up your alley with things that are cool in the architecture world, right?”
My mom is trying, I get it. But I shouldn’t even be here. If she wants to go off and live in the middle of cowboy country, then she has every right to.
She could’ve just left me in Vegas.
Now, I’m not saying Aaron is a horrible person.
He’s actually a nice guy. I met him when he flew in and visited my mother. She seemed happy, and he treated her like she was a queen.
And then they went off to some island and got married.
Without me there.
That I have a little resentment about.
For fuck’s sake, I’m her daughter. She claims it was a last-minute wedding that they decided over dinner to do.
But still. I was completely left out of everything. My mother spent days and weeks apologizing to me.
Honestly, I think that’s why Aaron is paying for my degree. To buy me off to make up for not being there to watch him marry my mother. Talk about a low blow.
I peer down the long drive that extends past the house, out toward the lake. I won’t lie, it is beautiful here. But I feel very out of place.
Sweat rolls down my back as I stare at my new home for the foreseeable future, well until I head off to Groveton College in a couple weeks. Fuck, this place makes me feel like my lungs are under water.
We head inside the house, and it doesn’t surprise me how just “Texas” it feels in here. There is wood everywhere. Different fake fish hanging on the wall, and I think I even passed a “God Bless Texas” sign in the entryway. I’ll have to investigate that later.
“June, sweetie, I told you to call me when you got here so I could help you.” My stepfather walks up to my mom and kisses her. He towers over her, his chestnut hair combed back, his smile wide as his eyes never leave hers. Her arms wrap around Aaron, and I immediately turn around, not wanting to encroach on their moment.
“I know, but we only had these two suitcases. It’s not a big deal,” my mom responds wryly.
“When is the other stuff supposed to be here?”
“The moving company said, tomorrow, but you never know with them. Tomorrow may mean next week.” She shrugs.
“Aurora. Welcome.” I turn back and find Aaron’s arm wrapped around my mom’s shoulder.
“Thanks.” I cross my arms in front of me, feeling completely out of place.
“So my son, Xayden, should be home soon. I thought maybe we could have a nice family dinner tonight. Since it will be the first time we’re all together. What do you think?” Aaron beams.