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I stood, pulling a towel from the rack and mopping my face with it.
“I came here to thank you for the party,” Vicki said.
“You’re welcome,” I mumbled.
“It was perfect. I had a great time.”
I sniffed and looked at her. “I didn’t organize very much. The boat was Nicole’s idea. The music, the flowers, and the food were all Finn. My idea didn’t work.” I was out the money for the pizzas that never showed up, and I hoped the police wouldn’t come calling, asking about a boat that had been used without permission.
“They did those things for you, though. Not for me.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
Vicki sighed out a breath, her gaze moving past me to the wall. “I’m sorry I pressured you into all this. I’m sorry I pushed you into organizing a bachelorette. I know it isn’t something you find fun. I just—I don’t know, I wanted this wedding to be special, and not just for me and Alistair. For us.”
I stared at my hands, unseeing. “I’m sorry, too, that I’ve been such a shit about it. I feel like I’m letting you down. Like you see me as Dad, and no matter what I do, you always will.”
It was Vicki’s turn to blink hard, trying not to cry. “You’re not Dad, Jules,” she said. “I got so lucky with Alistair. He showed me what it’s like to be treated right by a man who sticks by you, a man who wants to be your partner. Because Dad sure as hell didn’t show us that. But even though I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, part of me is jealous that you get to be so free. I think you’re cooler than me.”
“Obviously,” I said, trying for a joke. I was rewarded when her shoulders shook in a quiet laugh. “Look, I’m cooler, and you’re a great mom who’s got her shit together. Can we agree on that and move on?”
Vicki nodded, wiping her eyes.
“Dad screwed both of us over,” I said. “Three of us, including Mom.”
She took the towel from me and wiped her eyes. “Did he ask you for money?”
“Yes. I left him on read.”
“I blocked him.”
I widened my eyes and gestured dramatically. “Ooh, look at Miss I Have a Spine over here. Nicely done.”
She laughed again. “That asshole.”
“Let’s put that on his headstone.”
“Let’s.” She reached for me, and I let her. We hugged for a long minute, and I tried to remember the last time I’d hugged my sister. I couldn’t think of when it was.
I was going to hug my sister more, I decided. I was going to call Nicole and visit her regularly, too. I was going to visit my niece and nephew. I was going to make it easier on myself, because shit didn’t have to be so hard. You didn’t get any awards for being sadder and lonelier than everyone else.
“I’m going on tour with the Road Kings,” I said into Vicki’s shoulder.
“That’s awesome,” she said into mine. “I think Mom’s in love with Tina.”
I shoved her out to arm’s length and stared at her. “Excuse me? Mom is what?”
“She’s in love with Tina. I think they’re in love with each other, actually.” Vicki shook her head. “I didn’t notice it until the party tonight. Didn’t you pick up vibes?”
When I thought back on it, I sort of did. It was in the way Mom had brought Tina’s drink to her as if they had done it a hundred times, the way Tina knew Mom so well. The way Mom had said I worry, and Tina had said Yes, you do.
“They’ve worked together a long time,” I said. “They could just be good friends.”
“They left the party together to come back to the hotel,” Vicki said. “And I got nosey, so I checked with the front desk. Tina doesn’t have her own room. She’s staying with Mom.”
I gripped Vicki harder, but still. “That could be a budget thing.” When I’d toured with The Muffins, I’d bunked with my girlfriends all the time.
Vicki shook her head. “It’s a room with a king size bed.”
