“Well…” Taylor shrugged. “I don’t have to tell you that school has never really been my thing. But I never understood why it was so hard for me. It’s something that has bothered me for a long time.”

“And you think it’s because of a learning disability?”

“Possibly,” Taylor said. “I’ve been reading up on it. And then Jamar noticed some similarities between me and a friend of his who was diagnosed with a learning disorder in high school.”

She gave her a more detailed explanation of Jamar’s suspicions, and how first seeing it in Silas helped him to recognize what Taylor was doing.

“Oh, Taylor.” Her mother walked over to her and took Taylor’s hands in hers. “I would say that I don’t know how I could have missed it, but that would be a lie. I completely understand how this could have happened. I was so busy in school myself.” She ran her hand over Taylor’s hair, then settled it on her cheek. “I am so sorry, baby. I should have done a better job at paying attention.”

“I’m not blaming you, Ma. It was easy enough for it to go unnoticed.” Taylor covered the hand that cupped her cheek. “The important thing is that I’m now aware that this is potentially an issue. I have an appointment for a formal assessment this coming Tuesday.” She peered up at her mother. “I’m hoping to enroll in school for the winter semester so I can start working toward my degree.”

“Taylor Renee,” her mother whispered. She pressed a kiss to Taylor’s forehead. “I am so proud of you.” The admiration in her voice wrapped around Taylor like a warm blanket.

“Thanks,” she said. She could barely speak past the emotion knotted in her throat. “I’m proud of me too. I’ll let you know how things go after the evaluation.”

Her mother jutted her chin in the direction of the guest bedroom. With mischief crinkling the corners of her eyes, she said, “Let me know how things go with that too.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Jamar leaned back in his office chair and pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. The pounding in his head had lessened to a dull ache, but he could feel it ratcheting up again. If he had to listen to his agent bitch for another second, he was going to hurl the computer through the window.

“Micah, you don’t understand.”

“Damn right I don’t understand. Do you know how many strings I had to pull to make this workout happen? A lot of fucking strings, Jamar!”

“And I appreciate it, but—”