Shape of You (+18)

Chapter Fifty-Two

▬▬▬▬Joel's POV▬▬▬▬

"Wow...so Lisa's back," my mother mumbled, her fingers tapping against her bottom lip as she thought over what I finally shared with her. She was oddly calm for someone who'd just been told the spawn of satan was back in town.

"Mom," I called, furrowing my brows as she just...stood there, thinking.

"Hmm, I really wasn't expecting that to ever happen..."

"Mother."

"Huh?"

"Are you okay? You do know what Lisa I'm referring to, right?"

Rolling her eyes, she answered, "Of course I do."

"Then how are you so calm right now? I thought you'd have blown a fuse by now. Hell, I've known for almost a week and I'm still fuming!" When her eyes darted over to where Everly sat in the next room, having her second phone call with Jared, I realized I'd raised my voice and was careful to keep it down when I added, "Lisa shouldn't be here."

"You said she was in rehab. What if she's changed?"

Are you fucking serious right now, Mom???

She must have seen the look of disgust and offense I'd taken to her question on my face because immediately she tried to clarify, "What I mean is, what if she's not the same after getting cleaned up? I'm always on your side, son, and I'm not saying she should ever have custody of Evvie, but I'm just thinking that, wouldn't it be better for her if her mother wasn't still an addict? I mean, what if sobriety has been good to her?"

"I don't give a rat's ass if it's been good to her," I laughed dryly, in disbelief that this was where this conversation went. "Mom, as far as I'm concerned, you're Everly's mother. And Lisa? Well, she can go to the same place her bitch of a mother is going. Straight to hell."

Shaking her head, my mother leaned against the arm of her chair and sighed. She could sigh all she wanted to, I wasn't going to change, and if Lisa did, I didn't care to find out. Just the knowledge that she was free while Jared was still locked up was enough for me to kill any thoughts of her getting anywhere near Ev.

I was angry. Fuck, I was down right pissed. Why the hell was my mother even thinking about Lisa in any way other than the worst? Why would she hope she was clean? I hoped she fell off the roof of the nearest sky scraper.

"...really wish you could see him. He's like, the best dog ever!" I heard Ev squeal.

In the silence that fell over us, her conversation with Jared seemed louder than ever. The call was on speakerphone so we could hear my brother clearly when he asked, "Oh yeah? What kind of dog is Spud?"

"Um...I'm not sure. Miss Marley told me what type he was but I can't remember. He's all white and has a really big nose, though!"

"Ha, I'm sure he does. So, who's Miss Marley?"

"She's my friend. She's daddy's friend, too. They're always hanging out. Sometimes they even have sleepovers."

I cringed when I felt those knowing eyes turn to me, clearly listening to the same thing I was.

"Oh?" My mother questioned, her head tilting slightly as she crossed her arms, perking up at the prospect of new information. "Is that true? Sleepovers, son?"

My initial reaction was to pretend I didn't hear her and pray to God she'd leave it alone. Not sure why the hell I thought that would work.

"Joel."