Page 80 of Clueless
“Son of a…” I pinched my lips together, reminding myself we were talking about her mama, and I had to take the high road.
“I think she was just jealous because your girlfriend is so beautiful.And she’s pissed that you’re making all this money and getting famous now, while she’s still struggling.”
“I would have thought all that child support I’ve been sending would help.”
She rolled her eyes.“Mama has habits.”
“What kind of habits?”I hadn’t even laid eyes on my ex since the last time she visited me in jail, to tell me she was pregnant.
“Smoking, drinking, shopping, gambling.”
I clenched my teeth, wishing I could have done more to provide a stable life for Quinn.She didn’t deserve to grow up with a mama who made her habits and men more of a priority than her daughter.
“I’m really sorry to hear that.So, that money I’ve been sending hasn’t been making it’s way to you, huh?”
“It’s no big deal,” she said.“It’s helped keep a roof over our heads and food in the fridge, which we didn’t always have before.”
“You were, uh, homeless?”God, this just kept getting worse.
“Not homeless, really.We’d usually land on one of mama’s friends couches for a while until we could scrape together enough money for another apartment.I’d get a paper route or lie about my age so I could get a job at a fast-food restaurant and help pay for food.”
I curled my hand around my forehead, knowing I would need years of therapy to deal with my guilt.“I’m so sorry you had to go through that, hon.That really sucks.”
“Yeah, it does.But things are better now, thanks to you.”
We shared a sad smile before I said, “I hate that I was in prison when I found out your mama was pregnant with you.I hate that there was nothing I could do to make your life better.”
She nodded.“I know.You did what you could, when you got out.”
I didn’t want Quinn to forgive me.I couldn’t even forgive myself.“I don’t want you to have to worry anymore.”I raised a hand.“That doesn’t mean I’m going to spoil you, and give you every damn thing you ask for, but I am going to make sure you’re taken care of.That you have the benefit of a good education, and an opportunity to do whatever you want in life.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, fighting back tears.
“And I’d like you to meet Grace.It doesn’t have to be right away, if you’re not ready.But she is an important part of my life and I think you’ll like her.”
She drew a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine.“For you, I’ll do it.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Grace
Taz and I had been back together over a month, and he continued to surprise me.
Notes on my pillow when he had to leave early, songs he’d written for me, flowers for no reason, dinner when I had to work late.I thought I’d loved him before, but now that we were practically living together, he gave me new reasons to love him every day.
But tonight could make or break our relationship.We were having Quinn over for dinner.She’d finally agreed to meet me, claiming she wanted to give it a little more time, to get to know her dad better, before meeting me.And I respected her wishes and asked Taz to do the same, insisting he not push her.
“You look amazing,” he said, wrapping his arms around me from behind, and inhaling deeply.“Hmm, and you smell even better.”
I giggled, slapping his arm.“I’m wearing jeans and a sweater, babe.And I’m not wearing any perfume.”
“No, it’s that shampoo.I’ve started using it too, just because it reminds me of you.”
Aww, when he made comments like that, I fell in love with him all over again.Numerous times every day.“I hope Quinn likes seafood pasta.You checked with her, right?No allergies or anything I need to know about?”
He smirked before reaching into the fridge for a bottle of chardonnay.“No allergies, and she loves seafood pasta.Just relax, baby.She’ll love you.”
I didn’t expect her to love me.I would just be happy if she didn’t hate me.
