What the hell is happening?I expected her to be angry, maybe even yell at Fox for being a bad influence.Instead, she’s smiling back like he just offered to mow her lawn.
"Please, call me Jane," she says, her tone warm.
"Anything I can get you?Water, coffee?"Fox offers smoothly, his tone as polite as ever.
"No, thank you, Fox, dear.Cameron and I are going for a ride," she says, suddenly shifting her focus to me.
"We are?"
Her glare silences any protest as she gestures toward the door.
"Thank you for having me, Fox.I wish I could stay longer, but I’ve got a long drive back," she says, throwing him another smile before grabbing her bag.
"Cam!"she snaps when I don’t move.
I glance at Fox, who smirks and whispers, "Be careful.I’ll be waiting."His grin is maddening, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling back.
I follow her out to the car, my stomach twisting in nervous knots.She’s already unlocking her car—a modest sedan she’s fiercely proud of.I slide into the passenger seat as she settles into the driver’s seat, her expression unreadable.
As we pull out of the driveway, I can’t help but glance back at the apartment building, my thoughts still lingering on Fox.Whatever this impromptu visit is about, I just hope it doesn’t drag on too long.
The ride is quiet, and I find myself staring out the window, trying to piece together why my mom is suddenly here.She hasn’t said a word since we left, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.
"Can I at least know where we’re going?"I ask, breaking the silence.
She turns to glance at me, her expression unreadable."We’re going to get dinner."
I frown."When are you planning to go back home?"
"I’m not leaving today," she replies flatly.
What?I try not to panic."Why?Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine," she says, her voice neutral.Then, with a shrug, she adds, "I must say, I didn’t expect your roommate to be like that."
"Like what?"
She shrugs again."Good looking, older.How you two ended up as roommates is beyond me."
I shake my head."He’s not that older than me—he’s 22.And the whole ‘roommate’ thing?That’s on you, remember?Going behind my back to arrange an apartment before I even started school."
She nods, nonchalantly sipping from an imaginary cup of smugness."He seems nice."
"He is," I say simply, pulling out my phone to check for messages.
Mom parks her car outside a cozy restaurant.We step out and head inside, where a waitress greets us and guides us to a table.After we place our orders, Mom takes a sip from her water and types something on her phone.
"I still think you should move out," she announces abruptly, setting her phone down beside her glass.
I stare at her, trying to keep my temper in check.
"Your father and I agree it’s a good idea.My friend’s son, August, has a dorm room opening up.He’s a sophomore and a good kid."
I chew on my bottom lip, biting back my frustration.Why do they always do this?Trying to control every aspect of my life?
"Do you ever care about what I think?"I finally ask.
"We’re just trying to help you as parents, Cameron.Fox may be a good kid, but this isn’t about him.It’s about—"
