Shifting in the seat of the van, I leaned my head against the window and gazed out, watching the buildings as they passed by in a blur. We were on our way back to the rehab for my very last meeting with my mom. After the incident, they had decided that it was in her best interest to be moved up into the high-security sector of the facilitation. I couldn't say I disagreed and my dad willingly went in and signed the legal papers that granted the rehab permission to have security cameras on in my mom's room. The only downside of her being in high-security was that she wouldn't have visitor privileges anymore, meaning she would be completely cut off from me.
Nathan glanced sideways at me, smiling gently when I turned my attention to him. Slipping his hand in mine, he gave it a little squeeze before the van came to a stop outside the building. I sighed, getting from the van with Nathan and Jay following closely behind me. As I pushed into the highly air-conditioned lobby, Luke appeared behind the front desk and tapped a pen against the top, smiling brightly at us.
I returned the gesture and pulled Nathan into a hug before hugging Jay. They wished me luck before I was escorted from the room by Luke. I could feel my heartbeat becoming erratic with every step I took. This could go one of two ways: completely horrible or perfectly fine. Either way, I was terrified to go through with it. As much as I had always dreaded coming in to see my mom every few weeks, I was going to miss our meetings. At least I was able to know how she was doing.
Luke pushed open a heavy door and motioned for me to go in ahead of him. I forced a smile and walked in. The room was small and there were uplifting quotes and posters lining the walls. It was obvious that they were trying to create a happy atmosphere for the people who were allowed to visit. It didn't do much to calm my nerves though.
“How are you?” Luke questioned, swaying on the balls of his feet as he folded his hands in front of him.
I shifted uncomfortably and shrugged. “I'm okay.”
He nodded, opening his mouth to say more. He was interrupted, however, by the swinging of the door. My mom appeared in the doorway, two intimidating security men behind her. Her gaze shifted from me to Luke, her jaw muscles tensing. She pointed a finger at Luke. “What the hell is he doing here? Get him away from me.”
Luke cleared his throat and nodded at one of the security men behind my mom. He swiveled his head around to look at me, offering an encouraging smile before exiting the room.
I watched as my mom slumped into the padded chair at the only table in the room and raised her eyebrows at me. Her eyes narrowed the longer she looked at me and I felt myself becoming uncomfortable as I stood in front of her. She curled her lip and shook her head. “So, what? A famous boyfriend wasn't enough for you so you started fucking one on the side?”
My eyes widened at her accusation and I crossed my arms over my chest. “What are you talking about?”
Her eyes shifted to the closed door with a sneer. “I see the way that boy looks at you. If he hasn't gotten you in bed yet, he will.”
I listened closely to her words, repeating them in my head. I could have sworn I heard a warning somewhere in her voice. Even though we weren't on the best of terms, she was still my mom and it was her job to help protect me. It wasn't the nicest way to put it, she was practically calling me a slut, but it was still a warning nevertheless. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I won't let that happen.”
She quirked an eyebrow and returned her attention to me. “Even when your cookie cutter popstar isn't in town? Don't you dare think that that boy won't try anything when you're vulnerable. That's when men like to take advantage of you the most, when you need someone.”
