“If it wasn’t for my going away, she wouldn’t have the life she has. If I stopped my career she’d crack the shits because we had no money. Don’t start judging something you don’t know, Momma. Lena is creating her own path.”
“Yes, but her parents: they’re awful. She really has no guidance.”
“Neither does Avery,” Nate snaps. “Her mother went missing and was never found, her father is an asshole and her brother is messed up, but do you see her carrying on and drinking herself stupid? Your past only defines you if you let it.”
My heart sinks and I take another step back as Korey looks at me, and Lez also turns his gaze my way.
“I . . .” I choke out. “Do you mind if I just go to my room now?”
“Jesus, Nathaniel,” Lez barks, turns to his son. “What the hell is wrong with you? Look, you’ve upset the girl. Wasn’t your business to share her family situation.”
Nate turns to me and his eyes widen as he realizes what he’s done. He’s thrown me in the middle of a toxic battle by using my experience.
“Shit, Avery,” he begins.
“Can I just lay down?” I say, my voice a little harder.
“Of course, honey,” Korey says, glaring at Nate.
She brushes past him and puts her arm around me, leading me down the hall. I hear Nate curse but I don’t stop or turn around. Korey leads me down a hall and we stop at a large, wooden door. She opens it and I step into a gorgeous room that’s exactly like the rest of the house—wooden walls, wooden floors. There’s also a fireplace, a double bed, and some gorgeous paintings on the walls.
“This is our guest room. I’ve made it up for you.”
“Thank you, Korey,” I whisper, my throat tight.
“I’m sorry about what Nate said,” she says, touching my shoulder. “It wasn’t his place.”
“It’s okay, I just . . . when it was put like that it made me realize how truly screwed my family is.”
“Don’t say that. He was comparing for his sake, not yours. Don’t let him bring down your family.”
“He was right.” I laugh bitterly. “They are a mess.”
“You know what else he was right about?” she says, smiling down at me. “That you didn’t let it ruin who you are. I don’t know you well, but you seem like a lovely girl, Avery. Be proud of that.”
“Thank you.” I smile, feeling my lip wobble.
“Have a wonderful night. Would you like me to bring your cup of tea in?”
“Please,” I croak.
She disappears from the room and comes back a moment later with a cup of tea. She places it down on the beside table and then turns to me. “If you want to shower, there are towels in the bathroom which is just over from you.”
“Thank you,” I say again.
“Goodnight, Avery.”
“Goodnight, Korey.”
~*~*~*~
NATE
“Shit, Mom, I get it okay?” I bark, skidding my chair out and pacing the room.
“Your marriage is on the rocks, Nathaniel,” she says, her voice hard. “You need to consider what you can do to fix it.”
“Fix what?” I bark. “You have no idea; none! She drinks, she argues with me and she leaves my daughter in a dangerous state. Do you think I’d even be here if it weren’t for the fact that I’m out of ideas?”
“And I understand that,” she begins.
“Do you?” I scoff, cutting her off. “Because I don’t think you do.”
“She’s still your wife. You still made a choice.”
“I know!” I roar, slamming my fist onto the table. “I fucking know what I did. I brought my daughter here so I could go home and sort this shit out.”
“To leave her,” she protests. “You’re not even going to try.”
“I’ve been fuckin’ trying for years now. Don’t pretend you haven’t seen it falling to shit.”
“I have seen it’s tense, but all marriages get that way.”
“So you’re telling me that if Dad was laying on the couch all the time, drunk, leaving his children in danger, that would be completely okay with you?”
“No,” she snaps, running her hands through her hair. “But I would try. I would try to fix it; I would try to get him help.”
“You think I haven’t?” I bark. “You think I haven’t busted my ass to try and get her some help?”
“You’re away all the time. How can you possibly help her?”
I lose my shit then, hard. “What is it you’re asking me?” I bellow. “To give up my career?”