Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(83)

"I know you'll want to talk as soon as we get in the truck, and I can't. I'll meet you at the house where we can sit down and talk." Before she could say another word, he left. Tears started draining from my mother's eyes. I sighed and tried to remain composed, despite the crushing feeling in my chest.

I texted Jill to hold on to our jackets. I'd get them from her later.

"Come on," I encouraged softly, not sure if I should touch her or not. "Let's go."

She trailed after me to the car. Her legs lazily crossed in front of each other as her balance waivered.

My mother stared out the window the entire ride to the house. I kept my eyes on the road, not wanting to watch her suffer beside me. Jonathan's truck awaited us in the driveway when I pulled in. I hesitated to get out of the car, watching her stumble up the steps.

I really wanted to leave, to not witness what was about to happen. But I couldn't. I had to be here for her, no matter what happened. I pulled out my phone to text Evan, Had to drive my mother home. Sorry I missed you―call me when you can.

The cool temperature started settling in around me, so I took a deep breath and headed into the house. As soon as I opened the door, I wished I hadn't.

"This isn't going to work," Jonathan told her. "How do you expect me to talk to you if you're going to continue to drink?"

"Fine," my mother yelled, throwing the wine glass on the floor, shattering it and spraying red wine all over. "I won't drink."

The shattering glass paralyzed me with the door handle still in my grasp.

"Rachel!" Jonathan hollered. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

I quietly shut the door behind me. But I wasn't quiet enough.

"She's what's wrong with me," my mother pointed. My eyes widened as I looked from my mother's finger to Jonathan's disgusted stance, his hands on his hips. I opened my mouth in confusion, not understanding what I'd done to warrant the spiteful look on her face. 

"This has nothing to do with Emma, so don't even start."

"Why do you keep calling her that?" she snapped. "Her name is Emily. And she's going to take you away too, just like him." Her words cut into me like slicing barbs. I had no idea where the hostility was coming from, but it was incapacitating. I remained frozen, unable to find the words to soothe her or defend myself.

"You're not making any sense," Jonathan argued. "I'm not staying here to listen to this." Jonathan walked toward the door.

I had nearly made it to the top step when more glass shattered in the kitchen.

"What the fuck, Rachel?!" Jonathan turned quickly at the sound. "You don't throw a fit every time you don't get your way."

"Don't leave," she whimpered, followed by the sound of glass crunching.

"Don't move," he urged. "You're stepping on glass."

Jonathan disappeared into the kitchen and emerged carrying my mother in his arms, her head resting on his chest and her face slicked with tears.

"Will you stay?" she slurred. Jonathan didn't answer, but continued up the stairs and into her room.

I exhaled, my chest tight from the tension that consumed the house. I considered following after him to help her into bed, but I couldn't bring myself to face her. Instead I crept down the stairs to investigate the mess. I stopped in the doorway, scanning the kitchen with a shake of my head. Trying to avoid the wine that covered most of the floor, I carefully stepped over the shards of broken glass and pieces of the wine bottle. As I reached for the broom, my phone rang.

I pulled it out to see Evan's name displayed. I took a deep breath before answering, "Hi."

"Hey. Got your text. Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah," I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. "My mother and Jonathan got into another fight, so I had to drive her home. She was overly dramatic as usual, so I had to listen to her go off for a while. Sorry I didn't get to see you after the game."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. She's about to go to bed now anyway, all talked out." My stomach turned at my lie. "Can I meet you at your place in a little bit? I'd really love to see you." I wanted nothing more than to be released from the consuming emotions, and being in Evan's arms was exactly what I needed.

"Ah, I um," Evan stumbled, a few voices hollered in the background as he stalled.

"Are you ready?" I heard a girl ask, sounding closer.

"Just a second," he answered her. My heart skipped a beat, knowing exactly who she was. "I just, uh, promised Analise that I'd take her to Jeff's party. It's her first one and she doesn't know many people yet. But I can see if she can go with someone else or something. Let me―"