Fractured [SHAWN MENDES]

~46~

Taryn opened the door to her mom's apartment. "Hi, Mama! I'm just picking up some stuff."

At least once a week, she stopped by to get some clothes which would be added to the growing collection in Shawn's closet. He'd cleared a side for her over a month ago, but she refused to just pack all her stuff and move it in. Instead, she grabbed a few things at a time and occasionally brought other clothes back to the closet she shared with her mom. It was rather ridiculous, but considering they'd never discussed living together, it felt wrong to show up with suitcases and some boxes.

Her voice was met with silence, which meant Patricia had stayed over at Earl's. She pulled out her phone and texted her mom.

I'm at the apartment

Thought we could have coffee together

While she waited for a reply, she went into the small kitchen and grabbed a yogurt from the fridge. She considered texting Shawn, but when she left that morning, he was working on a song. He had this focused intensity that was extremely sexy, and even though she wanted to sit and watch him work, Taryn knew he needed some space.

The door to the apartment opened and Patricia walked in humming to herself. When she saw her daughter sitting at the small table, she smiled. "Taryn! What a nice surprise."

"I just texted you."

"Did you? I never feel the buzz when my phone is in my purse. If I'd known you'd be here, I would have come home earlier."

"You've been staying at Earl's a lot lately. You're being safe, right? Although, I guess it might be nice to have a little brother or sister," Taryn teased.

Rolling her eyes, Patricia said, "For goodness sakes, that's not even possible. I haven't had a period in six months."

"Change of life babies happen!"

"Well it's not happenin' to me. Earl had a vasectomy after his last child."

Taryn wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Ew. I did not need to know that."

"You're the one who brought the subject up, young lady. If anything, I should be questioning you, though you and Shawn would make a beautiful child together."

"Bite your tongue! I don't know if I even want kids, and it's certainly not something we've discussed. How did your dinner with Earl's family go, by the way?"

Patricia met her boyfriend's three children the night before. They were now grown, but when they were younger he'd shared custody with his wife who he amicably divorced after fifteen years of marriage. Tricia was his first serious relationship, so he'd waited awhile before introducing her to his children.

"It was very nice. I think they were a bit shocked to see their dad with a woman with pink spiked hair, but I get that. By the end of the night, I think I had their seal of approval."

"I'm guessing Earl did the cooking. Otherwise, they might have felt differently," Taryn said with a wink.

"You're hilarious this morning. He did, and it was delicious. He made pot roast and mashed potatoes, which I helped with."

"He is definitely a keeper. I'm happy for you."

Taryn left after they had coffee and went to a therapy appointment. Her recent sessions had focused on Richie, and she was definitely making progress, though it was sometimes painful to dredge up how violated and dirty he'd made her feel. Then she went back to Shawn's to drop off her things. He was in the same spot he'd been in earlier that morning, and his face was still scrunched in concentration.