Hot Blooded (Tooth & Claw, #2)

by Heather Guerre

“One more quick question,” Ma said, “And don’t bite my head off. Are you working on Saturday?” “Saturday? Yes. Why?” “There’s going to be a party for Uncle Leo’s birthday. He’s turning sixty. Aunt Debbie booked a hall—” “Ma, why didn’t you tell me about this sooner? There’s no way I can get off work with this short of notice.” “Can’t you trade shifts with somebody?” “No. That’s not how it works.” “You’re not even going to try?” Ma demanded. Tessa pinched the bridge of her nose, unbearable pressure rising behind her eyes. “Try what? Ask to trade shifts with a coworker when it’s something that is not allowed at my workplace?” “How do you know if you don’t ask?” “Because there are established policies for time off and I can’t—” Tessa cut herself off. Why was she even bothering to explain? “You know what? No. That’s my answer: no. If the party starts early enough, I’ll pop in for a bit before my shift starts, but that’s the best I can do.” “All you do is work and sleep,” Ma argued. “You need to get out and see people!” “I was just seeing people last night and you were pissed at me for it!” “Because you left your brother hanging for a ‘friend’! Don’t think I don’t know what that means. A friend. I wasn’t born yesterday, Teresa.” Oh god. “So what if it was more than a friend? Would that be the worst thing? Or would you rather I spend the rest of my life alone so that I’m always available to babysit for Rob?” Ma didn’t respond right away, and that hesitation spoke volumes. With s...