AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It felt good to be with them and not argue. All my life, it feels like that’s all we’ve done. At least privately. In public, we’ve always put on a good show. Behind closed doors, though, it was a different story. They dictated everything about my life because they wanted to make sure I was representing the family in a certain way. I tried so hard for too many years to be what they wanted me to be and when I finally stopped, all we did was argue and fight. We never laughed or had inside jokes as a family. My memories aren’t warm and cozy, if that makes sense. But now, even if it’s because I had to pick them up from jail so we had some real-life funny stuff to start us off on a different path, it feels like we finally have something to talk about. ”
She goes on to tell me about their Uber driver and how her parents were in awe of the fact that both he and his wife worked two jobs and they took care of his mother-in-law.
“It probably seems so normal to you, but to my parents it isn’t. They were really impressed. Well, Dad was, anyway. I think Mom was, too, but she didn’t show it as much as Dad did.”
“You realize that you’re changing them, right?”
She gives me a confused look. “Me?”
“You’re introducing them to new things, even if you don’t realize it. You didn’t see what I saw at the diner. Your dad was proud of you but didn’t know how to say it. Your mom is a tougher cookie to crack, but when she stormed out I don’t think it was because you weren’t falling to her demands. I think it was because she was seeing and hearing things that made her uncomfortable. It was hard for her to take in, so rather than let those hits come at her, she bolted. Just wait. I bet you’ll continue to see changes in both of them.”
She thinks about what I said, turning her head to look out the window. “I don’t know if I want them to change so much as open their minds.”
“Change will come with that, though.”
“True,” she murmurs. “I guesssomechange would be nice.” She smirks and I laugh.
“Your parents are lucky to have you. They’d be stuck in their bubble forever if you didn’t care enough to help them see the outside world and how big it is.”
“Cash…” she whispers. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Come here.” I pull her close and hug her from the side. “You’re a good person, Hadley. Your parents see that now. Maybe it was the Uber driver’s words that clicked, but you’ve been doing the groundwork for it. My guess is what happened here in Nashville with them drinking their weight in booze was a direct result of their eyes being opened and hearts shattering a bit because they knew you were right when you stood up for yourself at the diner.”
She nods and sighs. “Maybe.”
“No maybe. I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you. Not just for bringing our stuff and coming to pick us up, but for helping at the diner and being here for me. It means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.”
We stare at one another and I lean in, wanting to kiss her more than ever before. The pull between us is strong. We’re a breath apart, our lips so close to touching.
We’re interrupted by the door unlocking. We jerk apart, Hadley jumping off the bed and straightening her shirt just before Brooklyn walks in, carrying a bag full of drinks.
“I got snacks, too! Candy and chips. Sorry, Mom. I couldn’t help myself. I needed a Snickers.”
“Snickers? I could go for a Snickers,” Hadley replies.
“Good thing I got three then, huh? I figured if he eats anything like Cody does, we’d have to wrestle him for it if he got it first.”
I grin. “My nephew takes after the coolest uncle. He likes his food.”
“He also has a hefty ego on him. Does that come from you, too?”
“Guilty.” I smile shamelessly. “Mom’s fault. She talked us up too much.”
“Does she know you blame it on her?”
“Of course,” I tell them.
“Oh, boy,” Brooklyn mumbles.
The rest of the night is nothing short of perfect. The only thing that would be better is if I was the one curled up on the other bed with Hadley rather than Brooklyn. But Hadley and I laughing at Brooklyn’s commentary while we watch an old Adam Sandler movie before moving on to an old Jim Carrey movie makes up for it.
I see why Brooklyn and Cody get along so well. She gives as good as she gets, has a quick wit, and has a wicked sense of humor.
At eleven o’clock, I realize no one else is talking so I turn off the TV and lights and sneak out of the room.
