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“Oh, that’s right!” Lauren says, her eyes widening. “Do you leave for New York tomorrow? Or is it Wednesday?”
Charlie shakes her head. “Thursday, actually.”
“Okay, so you have time,” I say with a nod. “Is Mike coming?”
Charlie scoffs. “Mike and I broke up.”
“Finally,” Seth groans, earning a dark glare from Charlie.
“Is it for good this time?” I ask.
Charlie is already nodding. Her hands go to her hips. She looks a bit sad, but mostly ready to take on the world. But that’s Charlie. She’s always been a strong, independent woman. “Yeah. We already have issues living in the same town. There’s no way we can do long distance.”
“And when do you leave for Chicago?” I ask Lauren.
Lauren smiles widely. “You have me for a couple more weeks. The gallery doesn’t need me until the end of September.”
“Wow,” I murmur. “I can’t believe we’re all going our separate ways. For some weird reason, I thought we’d always be together.”
Charlie takes my hand. “We’ll always be friends. You visit New York all the time. You can visit me,” she adds with a wink.
“And you’d better visit me,” Lauren says while poking my shoulder.
“All right, we’re going to head out,” I hear Mom say while shoving past the bros to make it to me. “We have a long day ahead of us traveling back to New York.”
I don’t think Mom has smiled once. Maybe she’s still mad at me about the wedding. I don’t know what to say or do about it. The only big problem was Bryan finding out about my relationship with the bros. It’s not like we wore white or smashed her wedding cake. I don’t really feel like apologizing for having a relationship with my boyfriends. She may hold this against me forever.
But I don’t think I care anymore.
“Well, thanks for coming,” I say, feeling awkward since I don’t know if I should give her a hug or not.
Mom takes my hand, giving it a firm shake, which feels too businesslike for being family. I guess this is the way things are going to be from now on. Fine.
“Congratulations,” Mom says. “I didn’t think you could do it.”
I smile, this one genuine as I say, “Good to know I proved you wrong.”
Mom’s eyes narrow, but she doesn’t say anything as she turns around and stalks past Bryan. Bryan looks between us, not knowing what to do. After a few seconds, he twiddles his fingers at me before running after Mom.
Seth wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “I’m never going to understand that woman,” he says.
I shake my head. “I don’t think I want to anymore.” And I genuinely mean it. I will never have the same relationship with my mother and that’s just fine. Relationships grow and break and change the older we get. That’s part of growing up. Maybe one day Mom and I will mend the rift between us, but now is not the time. I have my own family to care for, and that’s all that matters to me.
“Shall I order the pizza?” Dad says cheerfully while Seth turns me in the direction of the car.
“Yes!” I shout while bouncing Mara, who giggles in response. “I want pineapple.”
Seth rolls his eyes while Alex shouts, “Two pineapple!”
“I will need the spiciest pizza they have,” Hunter says.
“And don’t forget the breadsticks and the cheesy dip!” Charlie shouts.
I giggle with little Maria, so happy to have my family with me on one of the most important days of my life. And soon there will be more important days. I’m excited to spend them all with the people I love.
