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“Between you, Cassidy, and Cash, I’m surprised Mom doesn’t know yet. No matter how absorbed with other things she is right now,” I muttered and he chuckled again.
“I’m happy for you.” He slapped my back.
I shoved off of the fence, elated, but ready to not be so pressed about the situation. The more it was talked about, the more likely someone would overhear who shouldn’t. Which would inevitably lead to a major mess. “I’ll go get more tinsel and lights for the trees.”
Remington jumped over the rail and walked toward the pine that I’d only halfway finished. “Bout time you got back to work,” He teased.
Shaking my head, I tucked my smile beneath my hat once more and shoved my hands into my pockets. Walking quietly across the snowy path, I grinned wider, winking as I passed by Tenley. Her cheeks turned bright red, and she sheepishly looked away.
Man, I loved that woman.
That felt strangely comfortable. “I love her,” I whispered under my breath, running a gloved hand across the top of the handrail leading up the steps to my parents’ house. I was in love with that girl. That was that unusual, warm feeling I’d had in my bones lately. The drive to find her, be with her, do everything I could for her, finally made sense.
And I laughed.
Opening the door grinning, I walked inside and froze.
All euphoric excitement rushed from my body as I stepped into a scene I’d never expected.
Butch was staring at my sister and my mom, his face contorted in disbelief. Pain and grief etched heavily upon it. “But Mom…,” he whined.
“No ‘buts’!” she shouted in response, shoving her hands on her hips. “I seriously can’t believe you right now!”
“You knew better. We don’t put too many rules on you kids, and you still thought that was appropriate?” my mom coldly added. Her eyes were icy, matching the berating glare that was coming from Pearl. Both fixated on Butch, even as the door swung shut behind me.
“How is this even fair?” he screamed, throwing his hands in the air. “I came and asked to bring her, telling you about her. Except she still can’t come?”
“Because you lied to us about her to begin with!” Pearl pointed between my mom and herself. “You lied to your dad!”
“I never lied!” He crossed his arms and pouted. “I just didn’t say anything!” he added with a grumble, tears filling his eyes.
I took a slow step backwards toward the door, and the floorboard creaked beneath my foot. I grimaced as all three faces swung to mine. Butch’s face twisted in frustration, matching the red painted across the two women, and pointed a finger.
“So he gets to bring his girlfriend, but I can’t bring mine?!” Butch cried out, and my heart sank. “How is it fair that he can go around hiding his girlfriend, criticize me about my choices to sneak around with mine, and yet you’re okay with him doing it?”
He swung his face to his mom.
“What girlfriend?” my mom gasped, her face paling as anguish filled her eyes.
“Wait, he knew?” Pearl snarled, snapping her attention to me. “Did you know this entire time and not say anything about Charlotte?”
I quickly walked into the room, ready to explain. “Let me—” I began, but the front door opened, and in came a chuckling Rosemary and her mother-in-law.
“Nancy! What else can we do?” Tenley’s mom asked, and then her eyes left my mom’s and landed on mine, joyfully and painfully unaware of the current argument that was ensuing. “Oh, hi Weston! It’s so nice to see you. Tenley better be well-rested despite last night.” She lifted her brow, winking in a teasing but accusatory manner.
I opened my mouth to try and stop her from saying anything more. But my voice was drowned out by my mom.
She spoke loudly, hissing over my words as politely as she could. “Last night? What are you talking about?” she coldly asked, confused, and Rosemary swung her attention back to my mom, not having heard a thing I’d tried to say.
“You know, how she stayed at Weston’s house. Isn’t it just great seeing those two together? They make the cutest couple.” Rosemary smiled sweetly as the air chilled.
“Couple? Dating?” My mom stiffened, swinging her gaze to me. Her eyes widened and filled with grief. She wasn’t angry, but she was hurt. Hurt enough that I knew whatever she was going to say next would not be good.
Rosemary’s face paled, her gaze glancing in confusion between my mom and me. “Did you… Did you not know?” she cautiously asked.
“See. Why can’t Charlotte come? He was sneaking around too, but I chose to tell you about my girl!” Butch interjected, whining once more. He desperately wanted to get his way.
“How…,” my mom paused, clenching her jaw, and took a sharp inhale. “How could you?!” She pointed at me, and shook her head. Disappointed. The room stilled, silencing the light breeze and tension that was swirling around us. Everything and everyone felt the pain that rushed across her words. “What example are you setting for your nephew? What were you thinking?” I watched as the calmness was slowly pushed away by a storm of anguish. “No wonder he is so irate! And you told Tenley’s parents but not me? Why would you choose to hide something as important as this?” She closed her hands into fists and took a shaky breath. “What stunt are you trying to pull?”
