Free Poseidon (The God Chronicles) by Kamery Solomon

the couch. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
    She picked up the brush I’d brought in with me and started to comb my hair out for me. It was something that she’d always done when I was younger. I felt the comfort of my mother’s love instantly and relaxed. I really was a lucky girl to have her in my life. 
    A sharp knocking on the door broke me out of the memories of times gone by.
    “Who on Earth?” Mom wondered aloud, standing to answer.
    “ Audrey? Audrey, it’s Sy, please let me in.” His voice sounded panicked.
    “She’s sleeping,” Mom said through the door. “What do you want?”
    “Who are you?” he asked, momentarily thrown off track.
    “This is her mother,” she declared in a commanding tone.
    “Oh. Uh, nice to meet you?”
    “What do you want?” Mom asked, again.
    “I just want to make sure she’s okay. I looked everywhere for her at the party, but I couldn’t find her. I’m glad she made it home okay.”
    “After a stop at jail,” Mom interjected.
    I didn’t know if I was horrified or pleased with Mom’s interrogation. Either way, I couldn’t think of anything to say to stop her.
    “I’m so sorry,” Sy said. “Can I please come in?”
    “Not tonight,” she stated firmly. “Audrey needs rest, not a pretty boy trying to convince her of something.”
    “Pretty boy?”
    I snickered into my hand as Mom grinned, the tease in her coming out.
    “We’ll see you in the morning—at a reasonable hour—Sy. Thank you for stopping by.” She sat back down next to me and giggled softly.
    “Wait!” There was a few moments silence and I wondered if he’d left. “Hello?”
    By this point, Mom was laughing so hard she had to leave the room. I heard Sy sigh and walk from the door.
    “Mom?” I asked, wondering where that show had come from.
    “I’m sorry, Audrey,” she laughed. “I just wanted him to feel bad for leaving you there. Plus, I never get to be the bad guy. It was kinda fun!”
    “Oh, Mom,” I laughed. 
    “Call me and let me know how good the apology was,” she instructed, hugging me, again. “I’d better get home. I have stuff to do in the morning.” She picked her purse up off the counter and slung it over her shoulder.
    “Thanks again,” I said.
    “It’s what moms do,” she reminded me, as she opened the door and left.
     
     
    I woke early the next morning out of habit and decided to still go for my run, even though I was tired. As I shut the front door behind us, I heard Sy’s being thrown open.
    “Audrey! I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I had no idea!” He went on and on without giving me opportunity to even speak. “I was there with you and I didn’t even—”
    “Sy,” I said forcibly to get him to stop. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine, but we can’t do anything to change it now. It’s better off left alone.”
    “I need to apologize—to explain though.” His eyes pleaded with mine, begging me to hear him out. “Would you come inside for a minute?”
    I sighed and nodded, ushering Talley back into our apartment before following Sy into his. It was arranged the same as mine, but it was obvious that a bachelor lived here.
    “This really isn’t necessary,” I said, taking a seat on his small, beat up couch.
    “It is,” he insisted, sitting next to me. “First there was Ash , and then the cops . . . I’m just mortified over what happened.” He shifted uncomfortably before continuing.
    “Ash is— she works at a shop in the mall. Whenever she’s on break she comes over to the aquarium to see if I’m on break, too. She’s been asking if I’ll go to dinner with her for a couple weeks. I guess last night I just wanted to see if she was, you know, worth it. But then she was too much for me and I couldn’t get away!”
    “And I suppose you were just trying out all those other girls too,” I said, somewhat hurt.
    “What? No! Audrey, I didn’t mean to leave you alone like that. I really tried to look for you when the cops