You Distract Me

Shayne

Olivia

"I'm pretty sure she's a drug dealer, sweetie. Are you sure you're okay?"

I giggled at my mom's assumptions. "Drug dealer or not, she's been keeping me safe."

Her reddened puffy eyes began to tear up again. "I hope so, baby. I just can't believe you're really here." She held me closer to her as we sat on the bed.

"I know," I said wiping my own wet eyes.

Shayne had taken me to one of her own private apartments, taking extra precaution on the way. We had gotten on and off four different vehicles.

My mom had been discreetly driven to me, and we'd been holding onto each other for the past hour.

Shayne hadn't wanted to be present when my mother would have arrived, so she'd gone off, giving an excuse of work. She'd made sure to leave security detail at every corner. 

But I suspected she simply didn't want to be around me after I'd terrified her with the whole 'I adore you' issue. The thing was, I really did, and more, but telling her that would have surely done the trick. She'd have asked me to leave, and I wouldn't have refused.

"I still don't understand why she won't tell you why you're in danger. Are you sure we can trust her? Because it's clear to me she's not exactly a saint."

"If I'm being honest, half of the time I'm dead scared of her. The other half, I know in my heart she'd never do anything to harm me. I owe her a lot, so much that I'm willing to be patient enough, until she's able to tell me."

My mom gave me a knowing look. "You two are involved, aren't you?"

I nodded slowly. "At least I thought we were, I might have scared her off." Then I paused. "Wait, you're not mad."

She gave me a teary grin. "I just got back my daughter, not many mothers have that blessing. If your relationships or sexual orientation is all I worry about, then I don't deserve this gift. I love you, baby. If I ever made you feel otherwise, I'm completely sorry. You can live your life anyway you please. Wear whatever you want, and style your hair the way you like. Speaking of your hair, it's very flattering on you."

I smiled, giving her another tight hug. "Thank you, mom."

A knock sounded at the door before it opened to reveal Shayne. Had she changed her shirt?

She didn't meet my eyes, her gaze fell right onto my mother. "I hope you're well, Mrs. Ryans."

God, if what I'd said had bothered her that much, then I had to dilute my words to make her feel better.

"Shayne West. My, do I have some questions for you," my mother said, standing.

Firmly, Shayne said, "I have no doubt about that, ma'am. Shall we talk in the living room?"

She gave Shayne a curt nod, pulling my hand behind her.

Shayne stopped me at the doorway. "May I have a word with you?"

My mother was reluctant to let me go, eyes darting between me and Shayne.

"I'm fine, mom."

She looked defeated, letting go of my hand. "Okay."

When Shayne closed the door, I was first to speak. "Shayne, if this is about what I said before—"

She shoved her hands in her pocket, an unreadable expression on her face. "I don't like seeing you cry, out of joy or despair."

"I can't help it, okay? And don't you know it's rude to interrupt people?" I said, folding my arms.

She started to speak but then seemed to change her mind. Then all of a sudden, I realized she was trying not to fall apart.