The other shoe just dropped along with my stomach.
“What mom?” My heart is sinking fast. Why did I let myself fall for her bullshit again? I can’t believe this is happening.
“I met someone.” She says it so fast I barely catch it. “Your brother and Lindsey know and they have already given me their blessing.”
“Blessing for what?” I ask taking a couple steps away from her.
“He asked me to marry him? I told him I couldn’t do it without my kids agreeing.”
“Who is he?” I close my eyes shaking my head back and forth.
“Let’s just say you aren’t the only one who finds the Basso men attractive.” She smiles and my stomach drops.
“He is the reason for this change?” I motion up and down her.
She shakes her head up and down biting her lip.
“What about the house? He remodeled it?”
She shakes her head up and down.
“Why?” My questions are coming faster and she is getting flustered.
“He didn’t want you to have to come home to where it happened. Memories of it.”
“You told him?”
She shook her head again.
“You had no right to tell him.” I whisper and I can feel the tears forming but I push them back as much as I can. “No wonder he has been so nice to me this week.” I mumble as my voice shakes.
“I’m sorry Maddy. I wanted to tell him about my past and when that happened to you it turned the direction of my life another way. He had to know my past in order to accept me.” She turns to me now trying to grab my hands but I back away.
“I am just in shock. That’s why he was over last night?” I shake my head. He didn’t come over to see me he came for my mom. He didn’t care if I was with Trent. How did I read all of it wrong?
“Yes. We were going to tell you last night together but you came home so late.” She reaches for me again to capture that mother daughter moment we just had but I am not ready.
“Mom, just give me some time to absorb this, ok?” I look everywhere but at her.
“Take all the time you need, honey.” She steps back away from me.
I walk away unable to breath. My heart is racing and mixing with the heat I feel like I could pass out. I throw the blue cotton candy in the garbage. Retracing the whole time I have been here, I start connecting the dots. He was there when I got off the plane, rented my car for me. Picked me up for every function, always watching me and warning me against Trent like everyone else. Oh my god, he is trying to be my father. I am such an idiot. I thought he wanted me but he really wanted my approval to date my mom. Although the thought of them together actually brings vomit up my esophagus, the real question that boggles my mind is if I am upset about my mom dating Gabe or that I’m not dating Gabe?
Chapter 13 – College - Freshman Year
I got accepted to State along with Makenna and Bryan. Trent was accepted too and the soccer team was able to offer him a scholarship but he was offered the same at Thrayer University. Since they had a better program he reluctantly went there. To say it was devastating to me was an understatement.
When he told me in the barn one night before graduation I cried so hard I started to hyperventilate. As much as we knew it was the right decision for Trent and his future in soccer, we knew it wasn’t going to work for us. We made the ultimate decision that we would spend the summer together and break up when we left for school. When I say we it was more Trent but deep down I knew it would never work going to separate schools.
The summer was amazing. After a huge fight with my mom about one of her boyfriends I moved in with the Bassos. With Gabe being up at a school I stayed in his room but I was rarely in that bed. Each night Trent and I either went to the barn or snuck into one bed or the other. Mrs. Basso made dinner for us each night and breakfast every morning. Trent and I would play cards with his parents some nights after dinner. I loved being part of a real family.
When summer ended, Trent drove me up to school with his parents to say goodbye. Mackenna and I were rooming together and Bryan was in the floor below us in the co-ed dorm. She and Bryan had moved in the day before so they were able to help me get all my stuff up to the sixteen floor dorm room. Mackenna was so excited and I knew I should be too but all I could think about was saying good-bye to Trent. A half hour later my nightmare came true for the second time in my life I wouldn’t live ten minutes away from Trent. I wouldn’t see him every day or be able to kiss or hug him. Since we agreed on breaking up he would no longer be mine and I assumed he would be someone else’s before the month was over.
I said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Basso thanking them for taking such good care of me. Mrs. Basso cried telling me I was welcome anytime and if I wanted to stay there during breaks it would be fine. Mr. Basso told me to study hard and concentrate on my studies. They went into the car waiting for Trent. I waited while Trent said his goodbyes to Bryan and Kenna. I never thought how hard it would be for Trent and Bryan to separate after eighteen years of being together but they only gave each other that guy hug shaking hands but leaning in really quick. I saw the sadness in both their eyes.
“So, guess this is it.” I said to Trent when he walked over to me. The tears were coming fast and I didn’t want to cry.
“I guess so. I’m going to miss you Maddy.” Trent came in giving me a hug.
“I will miss you too. Be careful at Thrayer.” I whispered.
“I’ll be fine. Call me if you need anything and don’t believe all the things the college boys tell you.” He pulled me back holding my shoulders.
I shake my head up and down unable to talk.
“I love you Maddy. Have fun, we only get to do this once you know?’ He smiled showing his dimple making me melt.
“Trent, maybe we should try the long distance thing.” I questioned not wanting to know he is no longer mine.
“Maddy, trust me this is killing me but we made our decision and it’s the right decision. We have to experience this college thing without dating someone seriously.” He pulled me closer hugging me longer and harder.
“I know” I lied. I wondered if I should transfer to Thrayer University.
He started kissing my neck bringing his hands to either side of my face tilting my head so he could kiss me. I had kissed Trent thousands of times but he must have been saving some skills for right now. My knees gave way but he held me steady with his hand on my back.
“Man, some goodbye kiss.” Kenna yelled over from where Bryan was holding her tight.
Trent started pulling me closer moving his mouth to my jaw and then neck. “Always remember Maddy, I love you.” He softly spoke.
“I love you too Trent.” I gave him another chaste kiss.
One more hug and he was gone in his van with his parents waving goodbye to me as Bryan rested on one side of me and Mackenna on the other. At least I had these two, Trent had no one at Thrayer University but a small part of me thought he liked that.
I was a walking zombie for the first two weeks. I went to my classes or the library and then came home. I never went out with Mackenna and Bryan. On Saturday and Sundays, I stayed in bed the whole day only venturing out for some food, which I would bring home to my dorm. Trent called me a few times but they only lasted a few minutes and he was too preoccupied with the conversations around him than me. He seemed to be enjoying himself a lot more than me.
Sunday I was sleeping soundly by myself since Mackenna slept over at Bryans. His roommate went home every weekend so that is usually where I would find her if I had ever been looking for her. Suddenly a huge pounding came to my door. I decide to ignore it; they probably had the wrong door anyway. The pounding continued and then I heard a male voice telling me to open up the damn door. I knew that voice and I was surprised to hear it.