Bri knew exactly how he felt.
“You don’t like her?” She stated more than asked.
“No. She’s one of those women who thinks she needs to come in and start being my mother, even though she doesn’t hold that title yet.”
“Oh, yeah,” Bri knew the type well. “Those are the ones you wish you could bash their faces in with a frying pan or something, just to get that pitying, condescending look out of their eyes.”
“Exactly!” Cole laughed. “See, I knew there was a reason I picked you up tonight!”
“Why did you pick me up tonight?” she asked seriously. It was a question she’d been thinking about since she’d gotten in his truck.
“I don’t know,” he said, somewhat shyly. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I left my place, not knowing where I was going, and I somehow ended up in front of your house. I guess I was hoping that spending time with you would make me feel better.”
“Really?” She could feel herself blushing.
“It always does,” he looked right into her eyes.
“I like spending time with you, too,” she smiled shyly, her heart picking up.
They walked a little ways before Bri gathered enough courage to ask something she’d been wondering about for a long time.
“Cole, what happened with your mom?”
He was silent so long, Bri wasn’t sure he was going to answer.
“My mom lives in New Jersey. She and my dad got divorced when I was five, and she took off without another glance behind her,” Cole replied bitterly.
“I’m sorry. Do you ever see her?”
“Every few years or so, she’ll call if she’s in town. But I’m lucky if she remembers to call me on my birthday. She mostly pretends that my dad and I don’t exist.”
“That really sucks. Why are parents such idiots sometimes?” Bri asked, thinking of her own dad.
“Well, it’s not all her fault,” Cole relented grudgingly. “She was really young when she married my dad, and then had me right after. I don’t think she dealt well with the pressure and responsibility of being a wife and a mother. Anyway, it’s not a big deal. I’ve had plenty of time to get over it.”
“Yes, it is a big deal,” she said knowingly. “But I understand what you’re saying.”
“So,” he sighed. “Now that I’ve spilled my sad story, let’s hear yours. Where’s your dead-beat mom?”
“She died,” Bri replied quietly.
“Oh, no, are you serious?” A look of horror crossed his face. “Shit, Bri, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have been so callous if I’d known! I’m a freaking idiot.”
“It’s okay, Cole. How could you have known?”
“So, want to tell me what happened?” he asked gently.
Bri took a deep breath, debating whether or not she wanted to tell him. But seeing the earnest concern on his face, she knew that she wanted to share this with him. To give him something she shared with very few people.
“My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when I was eleven. She managed to hang on for almost ten months, before it took her. She died two days after my twelfth birthday.”
Cole swore under his breath. “I’m so sorry, Bri. Life really sucks sometimes, doesn’t it? Were you two close?”
“Yeah, we were best friends. She was always there at all of my dance recitals and competitions, even when my dad couldn’t make it. We would go shopping together, and have movie nights. After she died, my dad couldn’t really deal with it, and he needed to get away. So he relocated us to Dallas. I don’t think he could handle all the memories and reminders of my mom in Phoenix. I think he thought we could both use a fresh start.” Bri paused and drew in a breath. “Then he met Summer, and it seemed like our lives before, with my mom, hadn’t happened. He moved on and never looked back.”
“But not you, though,” Cole said knowingly.
“I did everything I could to hang onto my mom. But once Summer came into our lives, it was all over.”
“I take it you’re not too fond of your stepmom?”
“She’s not my favorite person, but it could be a lot worse. She basically leaves me alone and stays out of my life. But she also doesn’t help me out in any way, either. So, while she doesn’t try and tell me what to do, I also know I’m on my own with her.”
“Man, I’m not sure if that sounds great, or horrible,” he gave her a sympathetic smile.
Bri shrugged. “It is what it is. But I know that she loves my dad, and is totally committed to him and my brothers. I just don’t seem to fit into her family,” she finished sadly.