Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(82)

I pulled out my phone and sent Jonathan a text, Are you still coming?

If Jonathan didn't show up, then I knew my mother would just keep drinking, and the more she drank, the more unpredictable she'd become. This was going to be horrible.

My phone beeped. On my way. There in 15.

I contemplated waiting for him so I wouldn't have to return to the bleachers alone. In the end, I trudged back to my seat beside my inebriated mother and her giggling clique. I kept glancing over at them, watching as they laughed and gossiped. 

Finally, I saw Jonathan along the sideline, scanning the bleachers to find us. My mother stood and waved frantically, making her easy to spot. He climbed the steps closest to me and excused himself across the row. I scooted over so he could sit between me and my mother.

Before he could say anything, she leaned over and kissed him. He pulled back in surprise.

"What?" she snapped as he pulled his brows together.

"Are you drunk?"

She shrugged with a smirk.

"At a high school basketball game? Really, Rachel?" Jonathan didn't even try to sugarcoat his disapproval.

My mother huffed with a roll of her eyes. "What happened to you? You used to be fun." She turned her back to him and started cheering along with the girls.

Jonathan turned toward me. "So, what happened?"

I shrugged. "She's afraid you don't care about her anymore."

"Why?" he questioned emphatically. "Because I had to work?"

I didn't answer, and sunk further into the bleachers―not sure how to make this whole thing go away.

My mother reached into her purse and took out her mini Altoids tin.

"Are you serious?" Jonathan accused as she popped a pill in her mouth.

"Well, if you're not going to be any fun, then I need something to make me happy."

"What was that?" I asked, having seen her pop the little white pills too many times to count, without really knowing what they were. Jonathan only shook his head in disgust.

He observed her silently as she grew more and more enthusiastic, drawing more attention. His jaw set and the tendons in his neck tightened.

About five minutes later he muttered angrily, "I'm sorry, Emma, but I can't― I can't do this." Jonathan stood up and passed by me toward the steps.

"Where are you going?" my mother yelled after him. He didn't look back. I could only watch after him in shock as he paced down the sideline and out the gym doors.

"Where is he going?" she demanded in a panic.

"I don't know," I replied uneasily.

"Make him stop," she pled, about to cry. "Please, Emma, you have to stop him from leaving."

She sniffled and her eyes flickered, coated with tears.

"Okay, okay," I comforted desperately. "I'll stop him."

Jill turned toward my mother and her smile changed to a look of concern. "Rachel, what's wrong?"

"Please help her calm down," I begged Jill before I rushed down the steps and out of the gym. Jonathan was nearing the exit when I caught up with him.

"Jonathan!" I called after him. He turned at the sound of my voice. "Where are you going?"

He waited for me to near before he said, "Emma, I can't do this anymore. I don't want to be responsible for her every time she gets paranoid and emotional." He sounded defeated, releasing a heavy breath.

"Please don't leave," I begged. "If you do, I am so afraid she's going to make a huge scene, and I don't know how to handle that."

Jonathan hesitated, deciding what to do. My stomach was a mess just thinking about the potential breakdown my mother was on the verge of having in front of the entire school.

"Are you leaving me?" my mother asked from behind us. "I knew you were."

"Rachel, stop," Jonathan stated firmly. "Not here."

"Then where? What does it matter where it happens? I know you don't want to be with me anymore, no matter what you said last night."



       
         
       
        

"Mom, let me drive you home," I urged. "I'll get our jackets."

"Don't call me that," she snapped, stumbling slightly as she took a few steps toward Jonathan. I remained still, frozen by her harsh tone. Her eyes watered as she took another step in Jonathan's direction. "Please don't leave me. I can't lose you too."

"Let Emma drive you home," he requested lowly, glancing toward me to make sure I was still okay with driving her. I nodded slightly. "I'll meet you there and we'll talk. Okay?"

"Why can't I leave with you?" she sulked, starting to sniffle.