I carefully and quietly cut through the package tape. Inside the box, on a cushion of bubble wrap, was an envelope. I opened it. It was a Christmas card addressed to Nick and me, and signed by so many of the people we’d met in the small town that every inch of blank space had been covered in ink. I laughed and wiped away tears, wishing Nick were here to see it, too.
When I tried to put away the card, I realized there were two photos in the envelope. The first was of Buddy and Sue, each standing on a side ofMother Treeand smiling. The second was the same shot but without them in it. From the lighting and bookcases behind the piece, I realized they’d taken the pictures in one location I hadn’t, in the large library of their inn.
I flipped over the picture. They’d writtenMother Tree at TheClaus Towne Inn,and under that had printed, “She’s so beautiful. We hope whoever is getting her loves her as much as we do.”
Tears ran down my face. I wiped them away before someone in my family found me crying. I touched the bubble wrap without moving it, then closed the box. I wouldn’t unpack her. She didn’t belong here.
“Cara, is that you, honey?” my mom called from the family room.
“It is. Be there in a minute.”
My brother came to the front hall to greet me. He wrapped me in a hug. “You’ve spurred quite the family discussion.”
I glanced down at the big box and thought about the viral video. “Did you hear aboutMother Tree?”
He gave me a blank look.
“My sculpture?”
“Sorry. I haven’t heard anything about that. This isn’t about your art. It’s about your breakup.”
My stomach dropped. My first thought was to wonder how they knew about Nick. Then I realized that wasn’t the breakup in question. Things with Riley seemed so long ago and were so insignificant, I didn’t want to spend my energy discussing it, but I supposed I didn’t have a choice.
“I’m going to need some fortification before I explain it to the parents,”I said. “Tell me there’s coffee. Or maybe spiked Nog.”
“Care Bear,” Jake touched my elbow to stop me. “They already know what happened.”
My mouth went dry. “What do you mean they know? How do they know?”
Jake sighed. “This is supposed to be a surprise for when you get in there, but he’s here.”
“Nick’s here?” My stomach did the weird, fluttery thing it had done every time I’d thought about him during my two-hour drive. Not that I’d spent a minute of that timenotthinking about him.
Jake shook his head. “No. Riley’s here. Who the hell is Nick?” His face darkened. “Is he the affair guy?”
“The what?”
“Cara, stop shouting at your brother and come say hello,” Dad called.
I glared at Jake.
“They’re excited to see your face when Riley surprises you by announcing he’s forgiven you for cheating and he’s taking you back.”
“What the…?” Rage poured through me and I could barely form words. “Lies. Every word he said, lies!”
I started toward the family room, then whirled back around to Jake. “And even if you believe him, believe I left him for someone else—which is complete bullshit, by the way—why would you be rooting for Riley? I’m your sister. I’m family. Why aren’t you more worried about my happiness?”
“I... We...” Jake shrugged. “He’s Riley. I guess we thought you’d want him back. I’m sorry.” Jake tried to touch my shoulder, but I backed away.
“No. I’m too furious. You’re on his side because you think he’s the prize in our relationship. In ourformerrelationship. He is not the prize. I am the prize. I AM THE FUCKING PRIZE!”
Jake held up his hands. “I’m sorry. Let’s just?—”
“Cara,” my mom and dad said in unison.
They’d emerged from the hallway beside the stairs. Behind them stood the liar of the hour. More like the century.
My rage changed from red-hot to ice-cold as I stared down the man I’d once wanted to marry. What the hell had I been thinking? “I cannot believe you have the gall to show up here and lie to my parents after all the things you’ve done to me.”
