She Will Be Loved

Chapter 39: She Will Be Loved

Standing there as neat and persnickety as ever. Her apron was crisp and fresh. Not a stain on it. Dark brown hair pulled tightly back into a bun. No age showed on her face. No laugh lines. I don't think id seen her laugh. Her hazel eyes showed no emotion.

"Paige." She stated, not inviting us in.

"Mother." I replied, nervously picking at my nails.

"That's a bad habit Paige. Look at me when you talk. Come in." She offered, opening the door wide.

I walked in, slipping off my shoes at the door. She hated mud.

"I'll get your father. Please have a seat." She said, smiling her hostess smile as she exited.

I looked around the room. No pictures of Carter and I on the wall. No clues to our existence. Only various business degrees or diplomas.

The door opened and my mother and father both walked in. He was in his suit. No doubt on the way to a meeting before I interrupted .

"Hello." He said, shaking everyone's hands and sitting opposite us.

As they survey me I felt like a little child. Waiting to be scolded. But I'd done nothing wrong.

"What's that on your wrist...honey." My mom asked, the last word sounding a bit forced.

I pulled down my sleeve, looking at the wall. Looking anywhere, but at her. "A...um a tattoo." I muttered.

"Speak up. You know how I feel about the mumbling." My dad said, looking down at his watch impatiently.

"A tattoo." I said, louder and more confidant.

"Oh Paige...a tattoo really?" My mom asked, her horror undisguised.

"We raised you better than that!" My father insisted, mouth agape.

I didn't reply. No back talk in this house. I just nodded obediently, my childhood training kicking in.

"No doubt this is because of the company you've been keeping." My mom said, looking at Tyler's inked arms with distaste.

He just looked at her in surprise. And opened his mouth. Thankful he caught my glare and closed it before anything came out.

"Are you still around Hadley? Now that was a nice girl. Why couldn't you have been like her. A very positive influence that one was." My father commented thoughtfully.

"Yeah.. That's why I'm here. She's getting married. So can you come to the wedding?" I blurted out, trying to get it over with.

"Of course! We'd be delighted to attend." My mother chorused, clapping in excitement.

"See Paige, that's what you should be doing. Starting a family. Settling down." My father commented, shaking his head sadley.

"Well actually I'm on an MMA team. Were doing really well."

"Your still doing that? Paige, how barbaric." My mom gasped.

"Actually were in the quarter finals. It's kind of a big deal." Tyler said, and I could tell he was getting angry.

"Paige, Paige, Paige. You shouldn't be fighting. Find a man. You need a stable life."

"Like Hadley." My mom added.

I swear they liked her better than me. She was always girlier than I was. Always more well groomed. And I was so sick of it.

"Well guess what! I'm not Hadley! So stop fucking comparing me to her!" I yelled.