Page 78 of Broken Saint
“You sound good,” she says happily. “How is everyone? Baby Kyan?”
We chat away for a few minutes about Kane, Letty and Kyan before I mention hanging out with Peyton and Luca last night before she knocks me on my ass—or at least she would if I were standing.
“And Colton?”
I’m so shocked that no words leave my lips.
“Ella,” she half warns, half chuckles. “You didn’t think I wasn’t aware that he played with Kane and Luca?”
“I-I…I don’t know. I never really…we never talked about it. How did you?—”
“Ella, you’re my baby. I saw the way your face and voice used to change when you spoke about him. I’ve seen you on his social media, watching his interviews. If you thought you were being discreet, I’ve got to tell you that you were doing a really bad job of it.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
“So…have you seen him?”
I swallow nervously, my fingers holding my cell so tightly they begin to cramp.
Pulling it from my ear, I put it on speaker and roll onto my stomach with a coy smile playing on my lips.
“Yes, I’ve seen him,” I confess.
“Just seen him?” she counters.
“Mom,” I gasp.
“What? It might have escaped your notice, but I am also a woman who can see something pretty when it’s in front of her.”
“Oh my god, tell me you haven’t been checking him out.”
“Ella,” she chastises. “The only man I ever…checked out…was your father. And certainly not one young enough to be my son. Or anyone you’re interested in.”
“Jeez, Mom.”
“What?” she asks with a chuckle.
“Nothing. Nothing.”
“So…enough avoiding it. How is Colton?”
“He’s fine, thank you for asking.”
“And the reason why you haven’t answered your cell all morning?”
“Maybe.” Silence. “Yes. Okay, yes.” Silence. “I may or may not have spent the night with him.”
“Did you have fun?”
“MOM,” I gasp. I have never, ever had a sex chat with my mother, and I don’t know how I feel about it. “Have you had a drink or something?”
“Ella Myers,” she chastises. “It is barely one in the afternoon; of course I have not had a drink.”
“Okay, well?—”
“You should be happy. I can hear the smile in your voice that’s been missing for so long.”
Because I feel like I’ve come home. Even though it’s to a place I barely know.