Chapter Thirty Five

                                    

                                          
MAVERICK
—
"Hello Maverick." 
"Mom." I greeted her as we came face to face, Briar standing by my side.
"Hi mrs. St. John, we are here to pick up Ryan." Briar said with usual cheerful tone... opposite to mine.
My mom nodded and moved to the side so Briar could enter. "He's in the living room playing with his car toys."
Briar looked at me when she saw I was not following her inside, I just turned to my mom who was still standing at the door and that was enough for her to keep walking without me.
"How was your... trip." My mom asked once it was just the two of us.
"It was fine." I answered not really interested on having this conversation with her.
She hummed—judgement clear on her face and I hated it. "You two are raising a child together, that's not something you can just stop doing if whatever you and Briar are having doesn't turn out how you expected. Pursuing more than the relationship you are supposed to have it's not a good idea Maverick."
"I don't need your lecture on love, mom."
"Lecture? Or am I telling you things exactly how they are because you don't ever think about anyone except about you." Her cold facet was chilling no matter how many years I have seen it. My mother's icy blue eyes will haunt me forever.
"You know I still remember the last time you told me 'things exactly they are'." I said with bitterness.
I lived to regret listening to her.
"It was for your own good."
"No it was not." I glared at her—if she was taken aback by my reaction she didn't show it. "It was for William's sake, I was suffering and in pain and you... my mother knew and all you had to tell me was to swallow it up and move on, because to you only one of your children deserved to be happy. Now you see I've found someone after so long and you once again tell me I am making a mistake, to put others before myself again."
"It's not just others Maverick. It's Ryan, if things go wrong— when things go wrong, what will you do? You can't come running to me for help." She matched my glare—ignoring everything else I've just said.
"It won't and even if it does it won't be any of your business mom. I have never come to you for anything and I won't start now trust me." I wondered if Briar was overhearing our dispute at the front door, I certainly hoped she wasn't.
"She's not Annabeth, she may be her sister but she is not her." Her words held the weight of buildings but it wasn't anything I didn't know already.
"I'm aware of that, are you?" 
When she was going to retort something the sound of steps coming our way made her stop. 
"Aunty!" Came running Ryan who then crashed against my legs into a hug. Briar following close behind. 
"Hey kid." I ruffled his hair. "You got his things?" I asked to the brunette.