AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Warmth spreads through my stomach, and I sigh. I don’t know if I can survive the rest of my life off of only two of Ryan’s kisses.
Chapter 28
Trapped
Ryan
“HappyBirthday,Dad!”Livviesays as she carries out an ice cream cake from our kitchen. Everyone’s here for my birthday barbeque. Hutch and Stella–though they're sporting a brand new baby now. She paces the backyard, bouncing the fussy baby. Hutch follows her around, offering her bottles and binkies and burp clothes.
Hugh and Cori are paired off to the side whispering and giggling to each other, and Cimmeron and his date haven’t even acknowledged the rest of us since they got here. Even Hugh's little sister, Lucy, brought a guy to the party tonight. All around me, there are couples madly in love with each other. Then there’s me, and Livvie.
Livvie places the cake on the picnic table in front of me and lets Cimmeron light the candles before everyone sings Happy Birthday to me. Then we eat the cake and I open presents–mainly consisting of gift cards to my favorite restaurant or stuff for my Mustang. I do my best to look enthused and to be thankful for everything I have.
I should be happy, right? I have exactly what I wanted when I left Sammamish, and Babs, behind. I have my daughter, my friends, and my life. No regrets. Everything’s on my terms. No looking back.
Except all I do is look back. I’m continually reliving that time Babs was back in my life, dissecting every moment we were together, and then beating myself up for things I should have done, or shouldn't have done differently. I envision the way she smelled of vanilla, and tasted of marshmallows and chocolate. How soft she felt in my arms, and how everything felt…perfect when she was around
“Aren’t you going to make a wish?” Livvie says, breaking into my thoughts.
I blink and look up. Everyone’s watching me. How long was I sitting here lost in thought?
I clear my throat and force a smile. “Sorry. Reliving the good ol' days, I guess.”
“Uh huh,” Hutch says, rolling his eyes. “Keep on lying. The only person you’re fooling is yourself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say.
“It means, you haven’t been the same since Carrie left,” Cimmeron says, arching a brow. “We all see it. Even Livvie sees it. We’re not stupid.”
I run a hand through my hair and shake my head. “I’m not talking about this right now. It’s my birthday and I want to celebrate.”
Hugh and his girlfriend Cori exchange looks before Hugh folds his arms over his chest. “Okay. How about we start with a party game.”
The knot in my stomach uncoils and I agree. Anything to get off this topic. “What are we playing?”
A smile lights up Livvie’s face. “I’ve got one!”
“We’re not playing Would You Rather,” I say, shaking my head.
Livvie wrinkles her nose. “I’ve outgrown that. I have a new one.”
“Okay. What would you like to play, Livvie dear?” I ask with a smirk.
She smirks back. “Truth or Dare.”
Everyone laughs, whoops, and hollers.
I still, remembering the last time I played this game. Swallowing, I look Livvie in the eye. “I'm not sure if I'm up for a game of Truth or Dare right now.”
She clasps her hands in front of her chest and gives me her best impression of puppy dog eyes. "Puhleeze! Just a couple rounds?"
Sighing, I nod. "Two rounds. Then the adults get to choose the game."
I catch Livvie darting a look at Cimmeron, and I narrow my eyes. Is this planned?
“I’ll go first,” Livvie says, raising her hand. She turns and points to Hugh. “Truth or Dare?”
Hugh presses his eyes closed and gives a pained look. “Do we have to play? I thought I outgrew truth or dare in elementary school?”
