I lifted my head.“I can’t believe I did that.Just gave up everything, for someone, for a family that was only going to use me.”
She smiled crookedly.“Oh hon, no one can fuck you up like your family.”
“I can’t fuck up Arne.I just can’t.”
“Then don’t.Make him your priority.And after him, yourself.Show him how to stand up for himself so he doesn’t let anyone take advantage of him.”
Fuck.I was modeling toxic behavior for my son.
Tonya’s phone dinged.She glanced at it.“My guys will be home soon.Do you want some time?I mean, you’re obviously staying here until you get something worked out.But if you need space to settle this in your head before you’re on mom duty again…”
I let out a breath.“Thank you.That’s a good idea.I feel ready to burst into tears any minute, and I don’t want to upset Arne.Or your family.”
She cocked her head, checking me out.“Do you want company, or time alone?”
I wasn’t used to someone in my corner.It was great, but I needed to work out some things for myself.“If you don’t mind, I’ll take some alone time.I’m going to look up rental listings.”
“Tell your ex to drop Arne off here and come back whenever you want.Barney loves Arne, and with Arne here I don’t have to keep Barney entertained.We’ll be here when you’re ready.”
“I cannot express how much I appreciate what you’re doing.”
“It’s about time someone did something for you.Believe me, I’ve been biting my tongue for months.Now, if you don’t want to deal with my gang, you’d better go.”
I was grateful to Tonya, so grateful for some time to myself to think, but I had no idea where to go.Still, I was too raw to face Arne.I got into the car and started driving.
What did I do now?I needed a place to start looking for rentals.Maybe the library?I’d better change my address on everything, fast, to be sure Bruce didn’t do something to my mail once he realized I wasn’t coming back.I was getting a headache just thinking about it.
Without conscious decision, I found myself going by the Johnson house.I knew Justin was in Ontario, busy with hockey, but what I wouldn’t have given to have him here right now.
I took a second look.There was a car in the driveway.A rental.And was that Justin I could see in the living room?I wrenched the car over to the curb and turned it off.The car was parked crookedly and I didn’t care.I threw the driver’s door open and raced across the lawn.
Chapter30
He Wasn’t My Hockey Player
Mia
A figure moved in the doorway.
“Justin!Thank god, Jus—” I stopped, because the man standing in the doorway wasnotJustin.
He was tall and well-built and could have been a hockey player, but he wasn’tmyhockey player.My cheeks flushed and I had to swallow back tears.I just couldn’t handle anything more today.
“Sorry, I thought?—”
“Mia?”Jess, Justin’s twin, peered at me over the stranger’s shoulder.She gave him a shove so she could pass him.“You look like you’ve had a day.Come on in, take a minute.”
I had no fight to resist.I let her lead me past the stranger and into the living room.Once there, she gently pushed me down onto the couch.
“Alek, why don’t you go get us something at the store?”she said in a low voice to the man who was presumably Alek.
Wait…Alek Denbrowski?
His brows drew together.“What?”
“I don’t care,” Jess muttered.“Just go.”
Alek stared at her for a moment, then shrugged.He turned to me.“Sorry, I’ll leave you with Jess.I need to get something.”