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Another shared look, Dad talking first.
“We know our news last night upset you,” he says.
I study his familiar, beloved face. My father is the greatest dad, and I mean that. He’s shown us nothing but unconditional love our entire lives. Retired from the NFL a couple of seasons early so he could be there for us, and for Mom. I’ve heard the story before, where he said he had enough money, and he didn’t need to make anymore. We’ve always lived comfortably, nothing too outrageous. Eventually Dad became a coach at one of the local middle schools, and he even got a degree and became a counselor.
Meaning he’s really good at the counseling talk. Which is what I’m bracing myself for.
“It did upset me,” I say, keeping my voice calm. “It’s just hard, to hear your parents are selling your house.”
“We probably should’ve told you in a different way,” Dad says. “And I understand why you might feel like that. It’s really the only home you remember, and there are a lot of fond memories we created there. But we can create new ones somewhere else. You’ll end up moving out on your own when you graduate college, living your own life.”
I nod, forcing myself not to think about the future. Only a few days ago I firmly believed Cam would be in it, but now?
I don’t know what’s going to happen. Or if I even want to keep him around.
That thought makes my stomach feel hollow and I push aside the menu, unsure of what to order. Nothing sounds good. I haven’t eaten much in the last few days and I was nauseous when I first woke up this morning. Not that we have anything to worry about. Cam and I have been practicing safe sex since we first started this…whatever you want to call it. I think it’s more that I feel sick over the way everything has played out the last few days.
It's been nothing but pure misery.
“There’s been a lot on my mind lately and I overreacted last night. When my response really had nothing to do with what you told me.” I glance over at my mom, who’s frowning at me. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. It’s been…a rough few months since I got here.”
“Oh, Blair, why?” Mom reaches out, settling her hand on top of mine, and I give it a squeeze. “Is it your classes? Are they giving you trouble?”
“They’re not so bad.” They’re actually pretty easy.
“Is it your brother? You two were arguing quite a bit last night,” Dad says with a frown.
No, it’s definitely not Knox’s fault. He may be overprotective, but he would do anything for me. Despite the argument we had last evening. I deserved the name-calling because he was right.
I was acting like a brat.
“What is it then?” Mom asks.
“It’s just an adjustment, living here.” Dealing with my roommates, who I adore, but wow, they’re a lot. And then there’s dealing with Cam. Hating how everything feels so uncertain all the time. I like to stay in control of all aspects of my life, but since Cam has come into it, I can throw all that control I thought I had right out the window.
“Your sister is having a difficult time too,” Mom murmurs, her gaze filling with worry. “I don’t know what Ruby is going to do.”
“I just spoke with her earlier, right before we entered the restaurant, when you were on the phone with Fable. She’s going to finish out the school year where she’s at, and then transfer here in the fall.” Dad smiles. “She’s already filled out her admission application. She submitted it last night.”
“Oh, thank goodness. We’ve all been telling her to do exactly that. Glad she agreed.” Mom turns to me. “Isn’t that wonderful? Maybe you two can get an apartment together.”
I paste on a wan smile, trying to find some enthusiasm. “Sounds great.”
Look, I adore my sister. We fought a lot growing up, but we’ve become closer over the years. In the family lineup, I am the classic middle child. Always fading into the background, while Knox as the oldest got all the attention, or Ruby, the baby, stole the show.
Me? I’m the independent one. Doing her own thing, who can’t be bothered by anyone else.
Giving up on trying to make conversation with my parents when all I really want to do is cry in my mother’s arms and confess my feelings for and issues with Cam, I let them do most of the talking. I nod and interject my opinion in all of the right places, laughing when necessary, though it feels forced. They tell me how they met with Knox and Joanna earlier for breakfast, and Mom can’t stop talking about how great she is, which I readily agree with. Joanna is pretty great and she seems so good for my brother.
“She mentioned you two are becoming fast friends,” Dad adds after Mom waxed on about Jo.
“We are. We’ve spent some time together here and there, mostly during the games. Sometimes out at the bars.”
“Ah, the bars.” Mom smiles fondly. “We used to do that, huh, Owen? Go out all the time?”
“Uh, not really, babe. Though we did spend a lot of time chasing each other.” Dad laughs when Mom nudges him in the side with her elbow.
Ugh, they’re still so cute together, even after all these years.
