Sing For Me (20 page)

He placed the phone on her hand and gave her another peck. “I’ll be right back.” He headed out and jogged down the stairs. He would prefer to stay with her while she read, but he had to deal with her mother first.

“Mrs. Brooks, stop,” he said as calmly as he could while glaring at Frank, who had quickly gotten into his car and drove away.

“Why? This is Chloe’s house, right? This is between Chloe and me.”

“Technically, this house and the land we’re standing on are mine. So stop, or I’m calling the police.”

Chloe’s mother turned and glared at him. “You’re just a has-been.” She thrust the trophy she was holding toward him. “Stop standing there and talking as if you own the world.”

He knew of her poisonous tongue; he heard the things she had said about and to Chloe. She’d never turned that tongue of hers on him, though, not until now.

“Leave.”

“Why should I? I’m just returning what Chloe wouldn’t stop bugging me about.”

“Wouldn’t stop bugging you about? I only asked you once!”

Christopher took Chloe’s hand to prevent her from getting too close to her mother. She wasn’t this agitated even when she lost her passport in Italy.

“It’s always about you, and because of you, our names are being dragged through the mud. Have you ever stopped and considered how your father and I feel? I just got off the plane and had to read about such rubbish.”

“All about me?” Chloe turned away from her mother, and her chest heaved sharply.

“Chloe.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

“I’m done,” she said to him, then turned around and faced her mother. “It’s always been about the both of you. He’s a cheating, lying coward while you’re a bitter, bitter woman who’s been indulging in self-denial for the past … I don’t know … two decades?”

Chloe’s mother took a deep breath and was about to speak when Chloe raised her hand.

“I’m not done.” She stepped closer toward her mother. “And dragged through the mud? Everything the article said about your husband, my father, is completely true. He did cheat on you! And it wasn’t my fault that he cheated on you! It isn’t my fault that you insist on staying in this marriage that hasn’t been a real marriage for as long as I remember!”

Her mother’s wide eyes stared back at Chloe, but for once, the poisonous tongue didn’t seem to have a retort ready.

Chloe cleared her throat, straightened her shirt, then turned and walked away from her mother.

She looked at him with a small triumphant smile, and he grinned back in return. That was until he noticed something flying toward Chloe.

He grabbed her hand and gave it a strong tug, pulling her into his arms. He wrapped his other hand over her head and pressed her against his chest.

He’d just closed his eyes when he felt the sharp pain across his cheek.

Chloe looked up after a moment. She wasn’t sure what happened. She had finally stood up to her mother and was still savoring her rising sense of pride when she saw the fear in Christopher’s eyes.

She gasped when she saw Christopher’s face. “You’re bleeding.” She reached up and brushed her thumb under the wound on his cheek.

He pulled her hand down and pushed her behind him as he turned to her mother.

A glint caught her eyes, and she looked down on the floor.

She picked up the trophy and shook her head. “I used to think he was childish while you’re the enabler. You kept quiet and allowed him to vent his frustration whenever he opened and closed whatever drawer he could find as loudly as he could. Clearly, I’m wrong.” She got to her feet and took a step to the side so that she could look right at her mother. “You’re both equally childish, which is probably why your marriage is in this state.”

“How dare you?”

“What? You want to throw another trophy at me?” Chloe stood her ground and glared at her mother. “I’m done being the enabler. You stop calling, texting, or emailing me. I don’t want to be in any contact with you or that coward husband of yours until both of you grow up. If you can’t do that, then I’ll be fine with us never seeing each other again.”

“You ungrateful—”

“Parents are supposed to protect their children. I’m not here for you to vent your bitterness on, and I’m certainly not responsible for either of your happiness or otherwise.”

Her mother took a step forward. Despite Christopher holding her hand, she matched her mother’s step. She was done being intimidated by her mother as well.

“I’m making the decision today to be free of both of your insanity. I’m not going to apologize for the article. Everything in it is the truth. Would I have wanted it to come out like this? No. But I didn’t write it. If you want to throw a tantrum, do it elsewhere. Chris, call the police.”

“You want to call the police on your own mother? Go ahead, let’s see what the people who wrote this article will think.”

She shrugged. “I’m well-trained by you, mother. I’m already used to listening about how useless and selfish I am. But I’m okay. I’m okay despite you guys, and I’m certain that my life can only get better without both of you in it. So, do what you want. I’ve survived you long enough to survive another of your tantrums.”

“Yes, she’s still here,” Christopher spoke into his phone.

“I’d suggest you leave before the police get here. Chris will be nice enough to try and smooth things over, but I assure you that I won’t.” Chloe looked up at the house. “And you’ll be getting the bill for the new windows.”

“You think I’ll be afraid of you?” Her mother grabbed another of her trophies from the box she was holding. “Since I’m going to pay for the windows …” She threw the trophy against one of the windows that was already forming cracks.

She exhaled quietly. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be baited. “Enjoy yourself. I just woke up, so I’m going to wash up and head out for food.”

When she got back into the house, she closed the blinds and switched on the lights.

Christopher was staring at her with concern, but she wanted to jump and scream or maybe have a party.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you?”

She laughed softly. “Actually, I’m way better than okay. Was it too much?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never seen you this angry. Don’t misunderstand.” He took her hands. “I love it that … you stood up to your mother.”

“But …”

“But I’m worried about you.”

“I think you should be more concerned that you could be scarred for life.”

He grinned. “Guys are supposed to look better with scars.”

She arched a brow. “You have to write a thank-you note to my mother, then.” She sighed softly and reached for his wound, but he intercepted her hand.

“I’m fine.”

“So am I. Is there a first-aid kit around here?”

He shook his head.

“Let me wash up and get dressed. Then we’ll go over to your mom’s.” She ran up the stairs and went back to her room.

While the water cascaded down her hair, she tipped her head back and thought about the showdown she had with her mother. Though her mother was probably still trying to break at least one of her windows, she felt relieved, as if she was finally free.

Her mother wouldn’t give up just like this. A barrage of hateful emails and texts were bound to follow, but she was confident she could handle whatever her mom threw in her way.

If you make the decision that, from today onward, you’ll respect your incredibly talented self enough to stand up for yourself and love yourself, you’ll get stronger.
She laughed softly when she recalled what Nicole had said.

She nodded. From that day onward, she would respect herself enough to stand up for herself.

After fussing over his wounds for a while, he and Chloe sat down for lunch with his mom. He and Chloe had already spoken with the police just as they were leaving the house.

Her mother was still outside the house then, claiming that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. She insisted she was simply returning Chloe’s trophy.

He watched with disbelief as her mother spoke. He didn’t understand how she could be so arrogant about doing something wrong. Even the police officer stole a sideways glance at him, giving him a momentary are-you-serious look.

When the whole issue with the police was over, they got into his mom’s car and drove away.

He told his mom what had happened, but skipped over the confrontation between Chloe and her mother.

Chloe didn’t elaborate either.

That was that, or so he thought.

Nearly two hours after the confrontation, while he and Chloe were in his room searching for someone to fix the windows, Chloe looked up and frowned. “I think someone just pulled up to your house.”

Chloe always did this when they were young, and she was always right.

“Your mom?”

She had always been able to tell.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “Besides, I don’t think she’s still driving the same car.”

“Right.” Of course, he thought. “I’ll check. You stay here, all right?”

She shook her head and stood. “It’s all right, I’ll go with you. She’ll only be more agitated if I’m not there for her to rant at.”

“I thought you’re done getting ranted at.”

“And I intend to follow through. If I were to hide away in my room, she’ll think I’m only bluffing.”

Christopher sighed softly. “I’m glad you’re standing up for yourself, but it’ll take a while for your mom to realize you’re serious.” He took her hand. “And until that happens, things will probably get a lot worse.”

“And you think I can’t handle a lot worse?”

“I just rather you don’t have to go through this. Maybe we should head out for another holiday.”

“No. I’m not running; I shouldn’t have to.” She pulled her hand from his and frowned. “I thought you never liked it when I retreated into my shell. You never complained, but I could tell you didn’t like it.”

“Because I’d rather you talk to me. Facing a screaming, insane mother is another matter.”

She gave him a small smile and reached up to his face. “I’ll be fine.”

“Kids, sorry to interrupt.”

They turned to the knock on the door and found his mom standing at the doorway.

“I think you guys should come downstairs,” Amy said and pursed her lips. “There’s a reporter downstairs.”

Christopher frowned. His mother knew how to handle reporters; she simply had to turn them away, she always had. “Why did you let the reporter in?”

“Because she says your mom is having an interview right now with another reporter, and she thinks the two of you should get the chance to put your story out there as well.”

“Exactly,” a woman said from behind Amy, then took a step forward. “I’m sure you’d like to get your story out there instead of having your reputations destroyed.”

Clad in a light blue jeans and a black jacket over her white top, the reporter took another step toward him.

“No.” Christopher had had enough experiences with reporters to know that they couldn’t be trusted.

The reporter blinked, then turned to Chloe after a moment. “Miss Brooks, you—”

“If Chris doesn’t think it’s a good idea, then neither do I.”

“From what I’ve read, I don’t think you have a good relationship with your mother.”

Christopher stepped between Chloe and the reporter. “You should leave.”

“I’ll show you out.” His mother hooked her arm across the reporter’s back and half dragged her out of the room.

“Miss Brooks, you should think about this.”

Christopher returned to Chloe’s side once he was certain that his mother had the situation under control. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Do you dislike her or reporters in general?”

“Reporters in general. They like to take something you say and twist it out of context. No matter how careful you are with your words, it’ll never end well.”

“That’s rather skeptical. I’m sure there are plenty of great articles about you.”

He grinned. “Yes, but they didn’t occur under such circumstances.”

She shrugged. “I’ve never liked being in the limelight anyway.”

“I’m sure this whole thing will blow over soon enough,” he said. “If you refuse to engage, your mom won’t be able to keep making noise. The magazines are interested in us, not her.”

“The magazines are interested in
you
.”

He took her hands and squeezed them. “I’m sorry about the articles.” Despite having worked with many superstars, Chloe had managed to stay out of the limelight until now. It was because of him that her name was being dragged through the mud, that her mother was here to create such a fuss. “I’m sorry.”

“Chris.” She looked him right in his eyes. “None of this is your fault. And I don’t care about what the press says, I never bother to read them anyway. I actually make it a point to avoid reading comments about my songs. You should, too.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know she’d barge up here.” Amy came into the room and gave Chloe a hug.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you all right?” His mother stepped back, and her eyes squinted while staring at Chloe’s face.

That was probably the hundredth time his mother had asked Chloe that question.

Chloe grinned as her head tipped slightly to the side.

“I know I’ve asked you that like a thousand times.”

Chloe laughed softly. “I’m fine, Amy.”

Christopher watched as Chloe answered his mom. He’d heard her repeated assurance, but he was still worried. He had a feeling that everything was only going to get worse before it started getting better.

He reached over and pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Are you sure?”

She laughed again. “You’ll know when I’m not. I’ll be in front of my laptop, looking for an air ticket out of here.”

He grinned. “I’ll keep an eye out when you’re in front of your laptop.”

Despite the cracked window, the paparazzi camping outside, and the chance of her mother appearing for another round of confrontation, Chloe chose to work in the house.

Christopher and Amy didn’t think it was a good choice, which was probably why both of them insisted on coming up with her. The last she saw of them, Amy was packing things in the kitchen while Christopher lounged downstairs.