Misty Blue Read Online Free PDF Page B

interrupted.
    “No, I’m not pregnant.”
    “I can’t believe you would be stupid enough to get yourself pregnant before you got a ring on your finger. He could change his mind, you know.”
    “Mom, you’re not listening to me. I’m not pregnant.”
    “I don’t believe you. Why the hell would you plan a wedding in a month? That’s the only thing that makes sense. You’re lying, Mia.”
    “I’m not pregnant. I’m still a virgin,” Mia blurted, not meaning to, yet not wanting her mother to think she was either stupid or, God forbid, a slut.
    “Damien is just anxious to get married. He said he won’t wait longer than a month.”
    Loud laughter greeted Mia’s explanation and for the first time in her life she felt a spark of hatred for her mother and vowed to harden her heart as Keefe had always done. She didn’t care how many books said not to allow hate to consume her. Right this moment, hate was the only thing she could feel, because she could tell from the harsh sound of her mother’s laughter that she wouldn’t like the words that would come when the sound stopped. Later, Mia, she scolded herself. Deal with this afterward.
    “All of those months you were sneaking around with him, lying to your brother, and you’re a virgin?” She laughed again. “And the infamous Damien, the dog, wants you? My God, Mia, he’s going to be so disappointed. You have no idea what to do. Your brother told me about all the women Damien’s been with. Do you really think you can make a man like that happy? You want some advice, Mia? Find a man and get some experience before you marry Damien or he’s going to kick you out on your ass so fast it won’t be funny. A virgin.” She laughed again. “In this day and age.”
    Mia’s face was burning. She knew she should just hang up. She didn’t have to listen to this. It didn’t matter that it was coming from her mother. She was an adult. She didn’t have to take this. But she found herself unable to let go of the phone.
    “Okay, Mia, I suppose your pompous ass brother is still going to give you away?”
    That did it. No way was Mia going to remain mute and allow her mother to attack the only true parent she’d ever had. “What’s wrong with you, Mom? Why are you acting so nasty? Why are you back to attacking Keefe?” Why the change? A little over a month ago you were kissing Keefe’s behind. That’s what Mia wanted to say but didn’t. She counted to ten. Push it away. Don’t let her get to you.
    “I was only making a true statement.” Her mother laughed.
    “Keefe is not pompous. And of course he’s giving me away.”
    “Keefe’s your brother, not your father. Even if he thinks he is. He isn’t. I ought to know. Why don’t you ask someone else?”
    “Why don’t you tell me who my father is? Maybe I’ll ask him.”
    “How the hell would I know? Pick one, I gave you enough choices.”
    “Keefe’s giving me away. He may be my brother but he also played the role of father for me,” Mia paused, “and he was also my mother.”
    “Do you think that’s going to hurt me? You’re both adults. Do you think I’m going to beat myself up over every little thing I did wrong in my life? No, Mia, I’ll tell you, I’m not.”
    “Little thing? You abandoned us. We went to foster care.”
    “And you got out. It’s over, let it go. God, you’re the one who’s going to be a psychologist. Didn’t any of your teachers ever teach you that?”
    Mia couldn’t believe the conversation she was having with her mother. She shook her head. It felt as if she’d just dropped down in the middle of some horror flick. Her mother had never talked to her in that manner before . Because I gave her money.
    Keefe was right. He’d always been right. Their mother was a narcissistic, self-centered woman who didn’t care. In a rare moment she’d reached out a helping hand and Mia had allowed that to make her think there might yet be hope. Probably the best thing her mother had