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I did what any person would do when they were in complete shock to see that an occasion, which was supposed to be about someone else, was for them.
Well, what any nerd would do, anyway.
I covered my heart, smiled, and said, “This is for me?” I couldn’t process what I’d walked into. I didn’t think for a second this would ever be about my birthday, and I was genuinely stunned. “Mom and Dad? And Lydia?”
“Happy birthday, honey,” Ash said, the first to come out of nowhere and greet me. She looked at Jake and Collin, “You both insisted on no catering, so go check on your barbeque. I’m not eating a burnt hot dog,” she chuckled and hugged me before my parents could reach me. “We flew in your family, and we’re going to make this one hell of an awesome night for you because you deserve no less.”
“This was supposed to be about you,” I eyed her with a smile.
“It’s about both of us,” she answered. “We’re celebrating milestones and two lovely lives. Thirty years old, eh?”
“Yup,” I said with a smile.
“And you don’t look a day over fifty,” Lydia teased, hugging me as everyone laughed. “Seriously, sis. Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday, peaches,” my dad said, giving me a hug.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my mom said as she approached me from the other side.
This was lovely. What a memory to treasure after such a challenging time in my life. I’d suffered through these past few months, trying not to stare at my phone in hopes I’d missed a call from John or willing him to call, text, or add me as a friend on social media. My mind had been purely consumed with the man after he disappeared on me in the early months. Once I started focusing on myself, I could feel the weight of sorrow and grief leave me, being replaced with happiness and joy.
My life was on course and back on track, and it did help to have the support of my friends and now even my family here. I knew I would finally get through all of this, and each day, I felt stronger and happier for it.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Mickie
After all the hugs were given and introductions were made to people I hadn’t met yet—namely Nat’s husband, Spencer, and their friends, Alex and Breanne Grayson—the excitement died down into a more comfortable setting.
We’d all finished eating the most delicious lemon and whipped cream vanilla cake, and I was so stuffed I felt like I might throw up. The men had gathered in the corner, and I smiled at how my dad was schooling all these amazing doctors and CEO billionaires with his Tennessee football skills. Usually, Dad would pop off with one of his goofy slang terms or do something improper or embarrassing, but these guys were treating him like he was Vince Lombardi in the flesh.
“Your dad definitely has their attention,” Avery said while my mom and sister were listening to Natalia talk about her various celebrity real estate clients. “I’ve never seen the guys so engrossed in conversation before.”
I chuckled. “Well, my dad is an act, that’s for sure. He has no manners half the time, and that’s probably why they’re all so captivated by him. Usually, my mom ensures he’s behaving and not letting anything too nutty come out of his mouth.”
“Well, I think they’re all going back to their high school football days,” Breanne said, her adorable dimples lighting up the room every time she smiled.
“Cameron is going to hate himself for taking the family out of town this weekend,” Ashley said. “That boy and his boy are both huge football fans. Considering how mesmerized these guys are with your dad and telling them about his life in coaching college football, Cameron and Jacks would kneel before him.”
I smiled proudly. “Yeah, my dad’s an awesome coach,” I stated. “His players practically eat out of his hand like the guys are doing now. I wish I could hear what he’s saying because sometimes my dad has no shame at all.”
“You’ve met Collin, right?” Avery said with a laugh. “No one on this planet could beat that man when it comes to being shameless.”
“Yeah, well, when Collin does it, it’s funny. My dad?”
“He’s your dad,” Breanne laughed. “That’s why you think he’s a bit off when it comes to that.”
“You’ve not been in a discussion with him,” I laughed. “And God only knows what gets said when my mom isn’t there to police him,” I eyed my mom, who was still in a lively conversation with Nat and my sister.
“Oh, let the men talk,” Avery said. “Jim could use a little humor right now. He’s a bit irritated that?—”
She stopped, and I saw her glance at her friends briefly, suddenly making me feel like I was missing something.
“Irritated?” I questioned while my mother, Nat, and sister tuned into our conversation. “Is there something I should know?”
“You probably don’t want to know,” Avery said with annoyance. “And I’m sorry I said anything because you’ve been doing so well and seem so happy. I’m fucking sorry.”
“Oh,” my mother said. I hadn’t had a chance to introduce her to Avery myself and prepare her that fuck was Avery’s favorite word, and she could care less if anyone judged her for it. “Is everything okay?”
