AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wow, I’m shocked. I never knew.”
“Why do you think they’re never at any functions? They never come to my games. Christmas. Birthdays. My mom goes over to their house. I love them but they’re bitter old people who need to get over what happened when my mom was eighteen. My dad is forever paying for his mistakes. Honestly, it’s not fair.”
“Noah, that’s really sad,” I tell him. “They’re missing out on so much.”
He nods. “Mom invites them to everything. They chose to go on cruises and vacations with their friends. You can’t force people to like you,” he says.
“Wow, all this talking sucks.”
“What sucks?” Quinn comes into view and my smile widens. I stand and go to him. I haven’t seen him in weeks. Not my choice. His manager is a royal pain in the ass who makes him and his band practice.
“Hugs,” I say when I reach him. He hugs me tightly. “We really need to find you a new manager. One that lets you come up for air every now and again.”
“Hey, I resemble that statement,” Elle says, much to everyone’s chagrin.
I push Quinn out of the way and hug Nola, working hard to put what Ben said out of my mind. I don’t believe it for one second. I refuse to.
“If Ben had told us he invited you over, I would’ve had some food ready or something,” I say as I sit back down.
“You didn’t have any for us,” Elle points out.
“I didn’t invite you over,” I retort.
“Touché,” she says.
“Done.”
All eyes are on Ben, again.
“Context Benjamin!” Elle throws her hands in the air.
“Sorry. I ordered food.”
“Thank you, Ben,” I say to him. Elle leans into him and kisses him. She mouths “I love you” and it brings a smile to my face.
We chat for a bit about nothing of importance. Quinn knows what tomorrow brings for me, and maybe Elle if I can convince her to change her mind. I pray my egg retrieval is a success, that Noah’s sperm does its job, and in two weeks the doctor is putting an embryo where it needs to go. Those are my thoughts though and I don’t want to share them with anyone but my husband.
Noah’s phone chimes, letting us know there’s someone at our front door. He, Ben, and Quinn run off to get the food and bring back drinks for everyone. What a perfect way to spend the evening before my stress levels increase. Before the paranoia sets in.
“How are things?” Elle asks Nola.
What Ben said weighs heavily on my mind. I’m tempted to ask Nola, but it’s not my place.
“They’re good. Did you make it up to the winery yet?”
Elle shakes her head. “Liam was here last week. We’ll go this week. Want to come?” Elle asks. “Maybe that spot will work for you and Quinn.”
Subtle, sister. Very subtle.
“Yeah, sure. Although I’m pretty set on getting married at my parents.”
“Do two weddings,” I suggest. “Elle is. It’s totally the thing right now too. A lot of people are doing a destination wedding and then one in their hometown.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Nola says. “I’ll talk to Quinn.”
“Talk to Quinn about what?” he says as he comes back with his arms full. He sits next to Nola, and I notice that when Noah returns, he kisses me, and Ben kisses Elle. Although she demanded it.
Now I can’t stop thinking about Nola’s family and how they may or may not like my brother. This is going to bug the shit out of me.
