The Impact of You

Jase

I drag the phone away from my ear at the shrill of laughter. It’s great hearing my mom so chipper, but no one needs this much information on the latest romance novel her book club is reading, least of all her son. Gah…

My dad has returned from China and we even manage to exchange a few friendly words over the phone before he hands it over to my mom. To my surprise, he thanks me for coming home to check on her while he was away. I didn’t think he’d notice or care, so it’s good to know he did.

“How’s Avery?” Mom asks next. “I told your dad how pretty and sweet she is.”

Shit. Just hearing her name is like a kick to the gut. I try to decide what to say next. “Ah…She and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

Owens. What did you do to screw things up?”

automatically assuming

silently begging her to do. “That girl was sweet as pie, Jase, and I could

deep breath, trying to calm my rioting nerves. “Let’s just say, she was hiding some major skeletons in her closet and she wasn’t who I thought she was.” It sounds like a bullshit excuse when I say it out loud. I don’t know if I’m hurt because Avery didn’t trust me with the truth after I’d been so open with her, or if I’m just hurt

could take back. You, me, and I know your dad regrets how he handled things with you. But we don’t just cut

I found out. I wish Avery would have trusted me enough to come to me herself

But did you ask her why she didn’t come to you? Give her a chance to explain herself? Maybe she was going to tell you, or maybe she

when my mom’s

Jase. That’s one of my biggest regrets – I wish I would have talked more openly about things with you and your dad. I just don’t want you to have