Surrender

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

After I shower and get dressed, I pocket my phone and head down to the kitchen. I don’t know if Darcie came back last night, I still haven’t read the messages I ignored last night. When I push the door open I see Harry and Darcie pressed up against the counter, her arms wrapped around his neck. As soon as they see me, Harry takes a step back and turns away, tossing a couple pieces of bread into the toaster. Darcie blushes and walks around the counter to open the fridge. I glare at her back and grab an apple from the bowl in the middle of the counter.

“I have work, I’ll be back later.” I say as I bite into the apple, doing my best to expel the image of Harry and Darcie kissing from my mind.

“Work?” They both say at the same time. They chuckle at each other and exchange a flirtatious glance. Kill me now.

“Yes. At the book store.” I say in an annoyed tone. They exchange another glance and I already know my presence will not be missed. I silently chastise myself, I’ve never been the jealous type and I’m not even dating Harry. “Well…bye.” I say awkwardly, turning around and making my way through the living room. As I walk out the front door, I look over at my house. Aaron is home, his car is parked in the driveway. I’ve already decided to walk, taking advantage of the short distance so I don’t have to drive. It might be a good time to give my mom a call anyway. I dial her number and hope she’s awake, unsure of the time difference in…London or New York? It rings a few times before she picks up, her voice bright and happy.

“Hello?” She practically chirps.

“Hi mom, it’s Rae.” I say, listening for any sound in the background that could give me any hints as to where she might be.

“Hi honey! I’m glad you called.” She says in a sing song voice. Wherever she is, I’m guessing she isn’t with my dad.

“I just wanted to check in and make sure everything’s okay?” I say, hearing nothing but silence on the other end of the phone. Dammit.

She giggles before answering. “Oh, everything is going wonderfully. You would love it here, Rae, it’s like a different world.” She sounds so different than she usually does, like she’s a teenager gushing to her best friend.

“That’s great, mom. How’s dad? Can I say hi?” I’m testing her.

“Oh…oh…he’s busy right now honey, he just left for a meeting. I can have him call you later if he’s not too tired.” She’s lying, I can tell. Chances are she hasn’t seen or talked to my dad in a while.

“That’s alright. Uh, can I ask you something?” I ask her, hearing her breathing pick up slightly.

“Sure, honey, is everything okay?” She sounds nervous. It’s okay, mom, I am too.

“I was talking to Aaron yesterday and he found something in dad’s study…” I pause to listen to her reaction.

“He did?” She says, her voice curious, “What exactly did he find?”

“Divorce papers.” I state simply, not wanting to beat around the bush. She sighs heavily and I can see her clasping her hands in front of her, the opposite of what I do.

“Rae…” She says slowly.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I say feeling angry.

“Aaron had no right to be poking around in your father’s study.” She says sternly, evidently irritated.

“You’re right, we shouldn’t have found out that way, it should’ve come from you.” I say loudly, feeling betrayed. Everyone else in my life can keep all of the secrets they want, but she’s my mom, I expected her to be honest with me, especially about something like this.