Fighting Blind by C.M. Seabrook Page A

The shaming. And I brace for it.
    “Selfish. That’s what you are. You know, Lillian’s daughter, Julia? She takes care of her mother. Bought her a new car last month.” She sniffs, and looks down her nose at me. “What have you given me, but heartache and pain?”
    “I’m sorry I’ve been such a terrible daughter,” I mutter, opening the door. I need to get out of there before she continues her rant and I say something I shouldn’t.
    “You never tell me I’m a good mother,” she sulks, following me onto the porch. “When you’re a mom you’ll know how much I sacrificed for you. I gave up everything. And look how you repay me.”
    This is one of the reasons I haven’t told her about Logan. There’s also no way in hell I’m letting her anywhere near my daughter.
    Jaw clenched, I give her a stiff hug. “Goodbye Mom.”
    Her fingers wrap around my forearm, sharp nails digging into my flesh.
    I see Theo’s reaction. His shoulders go stiff, and he stands straight. Shit, he’s going to end up coming over.
    “Tell me,” she whines. “Tell me I was a good mom.”
    “You were a good mom.” My voice is hard, clipped, and I can tell she doesn’t believe me.
    “You okay?” Theo asks, now a few feet away.
    “Of course she’s okay.” She doesn’t let go of my arm, instead her nails bite down harder. “I was just inviting you both in for some lunch.”
    “It’s time to go, Mac,” Theo says, eyes narrowed on where her talon grip holds my arm.
    Her cold eyes turn on me. “What did you tell him?”
    “Nothing.” It was the truth. Other than the things Theo has seen himself, I’ve never really told him how bad things could get. But something warns me she isn’t talking about physical and mental abuse I’ve suffered at her hands.
    Theo takes a step onto the porch. “Let her go.”
    “Did you tell him what you did? How much money you owe me?”
    “I don’t owe you anything.”
    “You ungrateful, little bitch.” Her palm strikes my cheek hard.
    I blink, and Theo is between us. He pushes me behind him. I can’t see his face, but I can hear is heavy breathing and know he’s trying hard to control himself.
    “Don’t. Ever. Touch. Her. Again.” Each word is steel, filled with intent.
    “Who do you think you are?” There’s outrage in my mother’s voice.
    “Theo, let’s go. It’s not worth it.” My face is stinging bloody murder, and I just want to get out of there before it escalades further. Already a few of the neighbors have come out to their porches to watch.
    He wraps his arm around my waist, and pulls me protectively against his chest, leading me down the steps. 
    “Mackenzie Rose, get back here.” The shrillness of her voice causes a neighbor’s dog to bark. “I swear to God, come back here now, or you’ll be sorry.”
    Theo stops. I can feel the anger vibrating off him. He turns slowly, eyes on fire.
    “You listen to me.” His tone is even, but the threat is clear. “If you ever go near Mac or your granddaughter again, it’ll be you who’s sorry. Understood?”
    Shit, shit. Shit.
    I see the moment Theo’s words sink in. Her face goes pale, eyes wide, then just as quickly her expression hardens. “You little slut.”
    I feel like the ground has just dropped beneath me, and I’m falling.
    “Get in the car, Mac.”
    My mother’s voice, filled with malice, hollers behind me as Theo practically drags me to the car.
    I don’t think I take a full breath until we’re a couple of blocks away.
    Theo grabs my hand and curses. “Shit, your fingers are like ice.”
    I sit there, unable to move, my mind replaying the scene.
    “She didn’t know?” Theo keeps glancing over at me. “About Logan.”
    “No.”
    “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
    “You didn’t know.” How can I blame him? All he’s ever done is try to protect me.
    We’re both silent the rest of the way back. Despite the late summer heat, my body is shaking uncontrollably by the time we pull into the back parking lot