Page 61 of Severed Heart

“Protection, seriously?” I hold up my palm. “Isn’t this a script for a father to use and way overdue?”

“He should be home any minute. Want me to take it up with him?” she threatens.

I roll my eyes at it, knowing it’s empty. “Yeah, I’m using protection. I have no plans offathering anyone.”

Her brows rise. “Ever?”

“Not really enthusiastic about the family dynamic lately.” I pop a chopped, raw carrot into my mouth as she stills briefly at my barb before continuing to roll out her crust. We’ve been in the same silent standoff for months, only talking about the surface shit—something I find completely ironic, seeing how it’s her everyday job to get to the root of other people’s problems.

She’s become an expert at avoidance since Christmas. Though looking at her now, I scan her contemplatively. My friends forever giving me shit about how beautiful my mom is. Though their remarks repulse me, I can’t disagree. Regina Jenningsisbeautiful and looks younger than most of my friends’ parents, except for one whose technical title isAunt. Though I inherited my face and build from my dad, as I study my mom, I wonder what inherited traits and other attributes I garnered from her.

“What, Son?” Mom asks without looking up.

Observant. That’s one.But a given and necessary considering her profession as a psychologist.

“Just wondering why you’re going through all this trouble to cook when you know he’s leaving for the bar soon.”

Her shoulders deflate as she brings her eyes to mine. “Maybe I’m interested in feeding my son since he’s intent on leaving me.” A pause. “You graduate in a few weeks and turn eighteen a few months after. When do you plan to enlist?”

I shrug. “Not sure. I’m thinking about prolonging enlisting until after Sean and Dom graduate next May. It all depends.”

“Really?” Her eyes light with hope. “On what?”

“A lot of things,” I tell her, a flash of silver-gray eyes flitting through my mind along with the devilish grin that lights the rest of the fire. Prolonging leaving Delphine wouldn’t be the only benefit.

By staying, I could help ensure the club is on a more solid foundation before I start my time in the Corps. We’re nowhere near ready yet, not by a long shot. Not that I don’t plan on visiting home as often as Tobias if I’m capable. It’s our task list, which is growing by the day with everyone the French bastard visits, that’s become daunting.

It’s the idea of prolonging my stint in this fucking house that has me rethinking it all. However, leaving Mom means leaving her alone to defend herself.

“I’ve already met with my recruiter,” I tell her. “I’m taking my ASVAB test after graduation and might go ahead and schedule my physical.”

She stops her rolling pin. “Tyler, seriously?”

“What?” I shrug.

“You didn’t think to discuss that with me?”

“You know I’m not changing my mind.”

“If your father finds out—”

“He’ll what, Mom? He’ll what? Like he has any say in the matter.”

“Jesus, if I would have known you were going to take off right after you turned eighteen, I wouldn’t have started you in kindergarten so early.”

“You had no choice because you were a single parent and needed help with childcare,” I tell her. “Still are.”

Her eyes roll down my face. “That’s not true.”

“Sure it’s not, by the way, your baby boy ate at the Pitt Stop after school.”

“Perfect.” She discards the dough in a messy heap before slapping her flour-coated hand on the counter and giving me a stern look.

“What is this? Why such blatant callousness toward me lately?” Her eyes water. “Do you think I don’t want things to get better? That I’m ignoring what’s happening around here?”

“I don’t know what you want anymore, Mom. You barely look at me.”

“Because I’m ashamed, Tyler,” she croaks, holding my gaze.