None of Them Were Her

Maddox POV

“Oh, great.” My mom’s voice came through the speaker, dripping with sarcasm. “It’s nice to know my son’s still alive.”

I winced, phone pinned to my ear as I crossed the kitchen in my socks. I grabbed a glass from the cabinet like hydration could protect me from parental guilt.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, trying for casual while the faucet ran. “Missed you too.”

“Don’t ‘hey, Mom’ me.” I could pr