Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

fed my every breath. I’ll realize how I’d ruined my life with such a massive
mistake.
I stare at my mom, tears filling my eyes. “Mom?”
It takes her a moment, still lost in thought, but she looks over at me.
“I have to talk to you,” I tell her. “I don’t want to trouble you right now,
but I need to say something. I need to say it now.”
It’s not the right time, but there will never be one. I clasp my hands
together, looking down as I try to find the words.
“What is it?” she asks when I don’t say anything.
I open my mouth but close it again, not sure how to word it. I search my
brain for the gentlest words—the easiest way—to explain it, but all I see is
her losing her mind again and ready to hide in this closet the rest of the week,
because she’ll feel like she failed. But I need to talk to someone. I need to say
it out loud, and this is so hard, because I need my mom, even if she’s just
going to make this about her. I’ll be able to see the disappointment all over
her face.
Tears stream down my face. “Clay, my God,” she breathes out, her tone
alert. “What is it?”
I open my mouth. Just say it. Just say it and then it’ll be out and over.
I lick my lips, staring at my legs. “I’m in love with Olivia Jaeger,” I say,
just above a whisper.
I feel the walls crash in, and I close my eyes, waiting for it. Waiting for
the meltdown.
She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t look up. I know she heard me.
“I’m in love with her a lot,” I finish.
More silence.
I wait.
And then, she falls back against the dresser again, exhaling a huge breath.
“Oh, thank God,” she gasps, breathing hard. “Oh my God, I thought you were
pregnant. Jesus, Clay. You scared me.”
I jerk my eyes over to her, seeing her with a hand to her chest as she tries
to catch her breath. Huh?
She heard me, right? This isn’t a joke.
She looks over at me again, concern still in her eyes. “That’s all you were
going to say?” she asks. “That’s it? Nothing else?”
What?
“Are you serious?” I burst out, sitting up straight. “You’re not surprised