Staring up at the calendar, you mentally marked off another day, sighing as you did so. It was now up to twelve days since you had last seen Jared, and it was really starting to get to you.

"Y/N, come on over!" Your Mom called out, waving at you from beside the pool. She was sitting in one of the patio chairs, her legs crossed, a homemade pina colada in her hand. She had a large straw hat covering her graying hair. Her movements were a little lopsided, and you knew that wasn't her first drink of the day. Or second for that matter.

What you really wanted was to head home, curl up on the couch, and watch Netflix. Or sleep. Anything that would pass the time better than being here. But you still moved forward, sitting down next to your Mom, sighing as she placed a drink in your hand. "Honey, this isn't a funeral. Would it hurt you to smile."

You pasted a fake smile on your face. Sure it wasn't a funeral, but it was a party full of her friends. People you could barely stand to be around. Ever since your Mom divorced your Dad, she had turned to the wrong crowd. It was hard to even be around her. But it was her Birthday, and you were her daughter. So you were here.

"Y/N sweetie, I want you to meet someone," she slurred. Waving her hand wildly over her head, she almost fell off the lounge.

You had no idea what was in the drink, but you took a sip, needing a little liquid courage. "Mom, what are you...,"

"You'll see," she tried winking but ended up spilling half her drink. You watched as she waved towards someone over by the barbeque. There was a group of four or five people milling about over there, drinking beers. But this tall man separated from the group, heading straight your way.

"Mom, what are you doing?" You asked her, watching as the handsome stranger made his way over, a smug smile on his face. He was tall, though not nearly as tall as Jared. But his shoulders were wider, his face round with short black hair. He was wearing tight black jeans and a bright blue button-down that matched the color of his eyes.

"Y/N, darling, I want you to meet Sean," your Mom literally purred, holding her hand out as if she was Royalty. Sean played along, dipping and ghosting his lips across her golden skin. Skin that had seen too much time in tanning beds.

"Is this your sister?" He asked your Mom, his raking over you, making you wish you were wearing more than your shorts and tank top. Your Mom just giggled at him. "Well, I was young when I had her. But Sean, this is my daughter. I've told you about her."

"Can I bring you a drink?" He asked, and you nodded, wanting him away so you could strangle your Mother. He reached for your hand, and you pushed your empty glass at him. As soon as he was out of hearing, you turned on your Mom.

"What the hell was that?" You exclaimed. "Why are you trying to set me up? You know I'm happy with Jared."

She scoffed, sloshing alcohol over the side of her drink. "That tall drink of water? He's never around darling. You could do so much better than him. Like Sean. Do you know he's a lawyer?"

"That explains it," you mumbled under your breath. "Leave me, and my love life alone. Jared and I are happy."

She stood up, almost falling back over before righting herself. "Sure. Then why isn't he here?"

Rolling your eyes, you stood up as well. "We've talked about this! He works in Vancouver, but we want to have our life here. In Texas. He comes home. On the weekends, and when there are breaks."

"It's Saturday," she snapped before Sean came back and her attitude completely changed. "There's the man of the hour. Why don't you show Y/N the new pool house?"

"No, that's okay," you stuttered, but Sean grabbed your hand, pulling you towards the newly built pool house at the side of the pool. It wasn't in use for the party yet, the bar area still closed. Sean pushed the door open, pulling you inside. You yanked your arm from his grasp, but he was already blocking the exit before you could leave. "Whoa, what's the hurry?" He asked, eyeing you up and down.

Crossing your arms across your chest, you backed up, the empty space not nearly big enough for you to get away from him. "I have a boyfriend," you told him, eyeing the door behind him, wondering if you could push past him and free yourself. Damn your Mom and her overbearing personality.

"That doesn't matter to me," he chuckled. "And from what your Mom said, he's never around. So what's the big deal?"

Your jaw was so tight you worried it might snap, but your frustration was beginning to bubble out of control. "The big deal? I love him, you idiot. I don't want another man, especially one as overbearing as you!"

His smile fell from his face, and he strode forward, pushing you until your back pressed against the wall. "You bitch," he sneered. "Your Mom wants whats best for you. And you're never around boyfriend isn't. How about a real man? One that can support you comfortably, and be around."

"You?" You chuckled, making him even madder. "You're a real man? You've probably never been faithful a day in your life."

"I can't wait to tame this spirit," his hand slid up your hip, sliding under the thin cotton of your shirt. You tried to pull away, but he was strong. Pushing his knee between your legs, he held you captive while his lips pressed roughly against yours.

You struggled, trying to get your hands up to push him away, but he grabbed them, pulling them above your head. "You taste sweet. Like watermelon," he whispered against your skin, his teeth tugging on your lip before kissing you once more.

You glanced frantically around, looking for anything that could help you get away from this Monster. But it was the sight of the door opening that finally brought you hope. It was Jared, finally home from filming. Your hero who would rescue you from this jerk.

"Y/N?" Jared gasped, his hands clenched into fists. "Your Mom said...I didn't believe...,"

He was heartbroken, you could see it. Sean pulled his lips from yours, to turn and smile at Jared. "Oh hey! I guess this is a great time to tell you Y/N has found someone new."

You opened your mouth to argue, but Sean silenced you with his mouth. You kept your eyes on Jared, hoping he would come to fight this man for you. But the fight slipped from his shoulders, and he turned with a sigh, leaving you at the mercy of Sean.

"No!" You screamed against his lips, bringing your knee up, connecting it with his groin. He flopped to the ground and you raced past him. Throwing open the door, you spotted Jared heading through the garage, your Mom happily chasing after him.

Pushing past the throngs of drunk people still at the party, you followed him into the garage. "Jared, I'm sorry you had to see that. But you're gone so much, and Y/N, well, she was just so lonely. You understand, don't you?"

"Jared!" You exclaimed, stopping him. "Mom, go back to your drunk friends, and leave my boyfriend alone."

Jared narrowed his eyes. "Boyfriend," he scoffed, turning to leave once again but you reached out to stop him.

"Can we please just talk?" You pleaded with him.

Leaning against the wall, your Mom watched with glee. "Let him go Y/N. He's not worth your time. After all, you have Sean now."

"Leave!" You screamed, and she finally left you alone with Jared. "Jar, please. Let me explain."

He ran his fingers through his hair, completely hurt and frustrated. "Why? Seeing that man all over you was a pretty good explanation to me."

You smacked him on the chest with an open palm, trying to get his attention back on what was going on and not what he had seen. He finally peered into your eyes, noticing the pain that matched his own. "God damn it, Jared, that man was an asshole!"

He reeled back slightly in shock. "Huh?" He stuttered. Taking his hand, you pulled him out of the garage, sitting down on the swing on your Mom's front porch. "You remember that my Mom has become ridiculous?"

He nodded, staying silent. "Good. While she is completely drunk and decided that I should forget about you and go for Sean. I said no, but he pulled me into there, I swear Jared. I tried to leave, but he cornered me, and when you showed up...I was just hoping you could get him off of me because he was too strong."

Jared's entire demeanor changed. "He was forcing himself on you?"

You nodded, close to tears as every that had happened in a short period of time came crashing back into the front of your mind. "I would never cheat on you, Jared. I love you, and I missed you so much. Please believe me."

He pulled you tight against him, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "Damn it Y/N, I'm sorry I wasn't here. That I haven't been here for you. Why don't you go home, and I'll see if I can find that guy, teach him some manners."

You shook your head, threading your fingers through his. "No. Can't we just go home? Together? You're here, he's probably long gone. That's all that matters to me."

"Of course," he agreed. "But first, I wanted to run something by you."

"Sure," You agreed, settling into the passenger seat of his SUV, grateful to be leaving your Mom's house behind. Sure, she was your Mom, but you could barely stand to be around her. And now, after this stunt? It made it even worse.

"Move to Vancouver with me," Jared blurted out as soon as he was driving down the highway. "We can still have our house here, but move up there with me. I need you close to me. It's been Hell without you. You could live up there with me, away from your Mom. I know it's a lot to ask, but...,"

"Yes!" You exclaimed happily. "Jared, I would travel just about anywhere to be with you. Thank you so much!"

You leaned over, kissing his cheek. "I don't know why we didn't think of it sooner."

"I have," he answered. "Every freaking night laying in bed while you were thousands of miles away. I just wanted to wait to talk to you in person."

Laying your head on his shoulder, you knew this was the right move. While you would always have Texas, at least this way you would be with him, and away from your overbearing Mom.