Shape of You (+18)

Chapter Thirty

▬▬▬▬ Joel's POV ▬▬▬▬

"How was she?"

"Fine, as always," my mother said, shaking her head like my question was ridiculous.

"Yeah? Because if she gets to be too much, I can take her home sooner."

"Joel, honestly," she sighed, closing the dishwasher with a huff, exhausted from all the festivities earlier and cooking dinner. My questions probably weren't helping. "Everly is so well-behaved, you know that. Don't even think about taking her home before the break is up. She's mine until after New Year's."

Raising my hands in surrender, I chuckled at the sight of my mother. Her black hair was greying in the front, cut to a short layered bob that didn't go past her chin, with pieces framing her face around her tired, though kind, brown eyes. She lost quite a lot of weight when Dad died, but managed to keep it off in a healthier way. She looked great for a woman at fifty-four, but the stress of her family got to her too easily, and I had to make sure my busy child wasn't wearing her out.

"So, have you heard any update about when your court date is?" she asked, moving on.

"January twenty-ninth," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Looking over my shoulder, I could see Ev in the hall leading to the living room, playing with some sort of fairy-looking doll. She pretended it was flying around, so care-free and content. Marie could fuck off, because there was no way in hell I was letting her ruin that. "I'm so tired, Mom. I just want this to be over, but I'm scared as hell it won't end in my favor."

"I know you are. I am, too. But, all that matters is that it ends in Everly's favor."

"Which means she needs to be with me," I replied sharper than I would have liked.

"Damn right it is," she agreed, disarming me immediately. "Son, what you've done for that girl is amazing. Anyone can give her shelter, food, and nice clothes. But you? You've given her a home, love, good morals and values. You're giving her the building blocks she needs to be a great person when she grows up."

"I'm trying to," I mumbled, feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.

I just wanted that little girl to be happy.

Without me noticing, my mother had made her way over to me. Wrapping her arms around me like only a mother could, I felt a bit of that weight fade away. I could hear Marley's words from a few days ago echo in my mind, and I exhaled in relief that she was right.

Of course I'm not in this alone.

"Your father would be so proud of you."

Fuck.

Just the thought of my old man seeing me in this shit-storm sent shivers up my spine, but hell, if how I responded made him proud of me, then I'd fucking weather it like a rock.

"I know you miss him, Mom." Her hold tensed around me for a second before relaxing again, though her hug was now tighter than before. "I know you miss Jared, too."

"Every day."

Turning in her hold so I was facing her, I rubbed her arms comfortingly. "I...you know you can reach out to me, right? If you ever need me, or need company? Like...if you ever need Ev to stay the night so you don't feel so alone, you just say the word."

With a knowing smile, she reached up to cup my face, her fingers falling to my chin before dropping. "My strong boy. Always looking out for your family."

"It's my job, Mom."

Patting my chest, she stepped back and continued putting stuff away, though there wasn't much left to do. "I know. And it's always been mine to look out for you."