AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He kisses me once, gently on the lips, and then he leaves.
* * *
My mom, dad and sister Natalie come over an hour later.
Natalie rushes over and gives me a big hug. I haven’t seen her all week because she’s been busy with work. My sister is a lawyer, and one of the most driven, ambitious people I know. With green eyes just like Dad’s and long dark hair, she is as beautiful as she is intelligent.
I’d already called her and updated her on everything that happened with Rhett. She was disappointed—Rhett was like a brother to her—but I told her that they never had to lose that bond just because we are unsure about us.
“What are you cooking tonight?” she asks. “You didn’t tell us.”
“Well, I didn’t have much time, so I ordered us some pizza and wings instead.”
“You look tired,” Mom says to me, frowning. “Is everything okay?”
“She’s probably still hungover,” Dad teases, kissing the top of my head. I rest my head on his chest for a moment, and sigh deeply. I’m hungover from life, if that’s a thing. I suppose it is, but they call it burnout.
We all sit down around my TV, feet up on the coffee table.
“So I have something to tell you all, which is why I called this family meeting,” I start, glancing around the room.
“We know you and Rhett are over, and we just want you to be happy,” Mom says, brown eyes worried. “It’s his loss, Cara.”
“Yes, Rhett and I are over, but that’s not what this is about,” I reply, shifting in my seat.
“We want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am okay, Mom,” I say, smiling. “I’m just going through a period of change right now.”
“Tia called me,” she says, referring to Rhett’s mom, whom I love and adore. “She’s worried about Rhett.”
“Rhett will be fine.”
“And you?”
“I will be more than fine.”
“Is it about the house?” Natalie asks. “Do you need money to buy him out?”
“Do I need to beef up the security now that you’re here by yourself?” my dad interjects.
Crap. Between my parents and sister, they worry about everything for me. I keep forgetting about this damn house.
Mom looks concerned but simply says, “I’m here if you want to talk to me about anything.”
“I know. But this isn’t about that. I’m aware everyone all met Decker the other night at the party.” I turn to Natalie. “Well, you didn’t because you were being responsible and not going out on a weeknight.”
Natalie smirks. “I heard all about him, though. Aunt Faye even showed me a photo. Tall, dark, handsome, delicious...and green eyes that would make saying no hard.”
Dad looks at her and frowns. “You know I’m sitting right here, right? I don’t really want to hear about you not saying no, Natty.”
She grins.
“So are you and Decker a thing now?” Mom asks, scrunching her nose. “He’s hot and seems nice enough, but don’t you think it’s a little too soon to get into a new relationship?”
“Not after what Rhett did to her,” Dad says. “She doesn’t owe him anything. He’s lucky I don’t wring his neck for doing my daughter wrong.”
I scrub my hand down my face. If only they’d let me speak, I’d be able to explain this to them faster.
