Page 25 of Running from Drac

“Because it’s not worth it. You guys have broken up like three times now. She doesn’t deserve you.”

“We’ve only broken up twice, Pippa, not three times.”

She rolled her eyes. “It might as well be three. She fucking cheated on you, Eddie. Or have you already forgotten that?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten anything, but I also love her, Pippa. I can’t just let things die between us. We’ve been together too long and there’s way too much history between us.”

“But why kick a dead horse? She’s already got one foot out the door, and you’re too blind to see it.”

“I can’t let her go, Pippa. I fucking love her.”

She sighed, then cupped my face. “I only want what’s best for you both, Eddie. But don’t say I didn’t warn you, okay?”

“Warning received. But you’re wrong, Pippa. Amber and I are meant to be together. We’re going to get through this. Just you wait and see.”

Boy was I wrong.

My dad and mom are standing on the doorstep when I pull up. The look of relief on my dad’s face says he half expected for Morticia to show up dented and broken.

My mother, on the other hand, looks downright pissed.

“Edward Malcolm Frazier, what the fuck do you think you’re doing on your dad’s bike?”

“I was just out riding, Mom. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. I got here in one piece and the bike doesn’t even have a scratch on it.”

Maybe there was a slight warble to my voice, or maybe I stuttered just a tad, but for whatever reason, Mom grabs my face, studying me as she looks into my eyes that are trying to fight off angry tears. “You’re not fine. You’re heartbroken. And what the hell is this?” she questions, trying to grab my hand. “Is it broken?”

“Bunny, leave the boy alone.”

“Joe, I’m his mother. I’m allowed to fuss over him. I know you can only see out of one damn eye, but you can tell just by looking at him that he’s upset. Is this about Amber?”

I frown.

“Your dad told me she cheated on you and that’s why you came home all drunk and fucked up last night.”

My dad ignores the glare I throw his way. “She’s your mother, I tell her everything.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter if she cheated on me or not. We’re done now.”

My mother pats my face. “I hope you didn’t break up with her over what she did. She’s a good girl who made a mistake, Eddie. Don’t break up with her over something you are just as guilty of.”

My dad really needs to stop running his mouth.

I shoot him another angry look.

He shrugs his shoulders again. “She’s got a point, Son.”

“It doesn’t matter. Amber and I are just not meant to be I guess.”

My mother grabs my good hand, and spits in my palm.

“Mom! What the hell?”

“Shh, stay still. I can’t focus with all your yapping.”

She rubs soft circles over my hand, studying the lines and crevices of it. “Do you see this?” She points to a long line thatjuts across my hand. “This is your love line, Son. And see these marks, along it. This shows that you have a very strong love line. But see these little lines here? Right under your pinky, these are called your affection lines. You have one affection line, Eddie, meaning you’re only going to have one meaningful long relationship. But see how there all these other lines? These lines indicate messy breakups and lots of partners. You’re destined to be with Amber, Eddie, I feel that in my heart, but you’re going to go through quite a few breakups with her before you guys truly come together.” She counts each one. “At least four.”

“Four? We’ve already broken up three times, Mom, why would I want to keep going.”