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“You tell them, Beth,” Maureen says excitedly, looking over at my mother.
I can’t even begin to imagine what life would have been like if Tyler and Jared never joined each other playing outside that fateful day that’s talked about at every major holiday. How that day turned into my parents inviting the Mitchells over for dinner, new to the neighborhood and looking to make friends. While I wasn’t born for another twelve years, I’ve heard the story so many times, it’s like I was there.
“Well, as you guys know, it’s nearing time for our annual family trip,” my mom says conspiratorially.
Looking over at Jared, he seems just as zoned out as I feel at my parents’ words, every one of us seeming to have already known what this was about.
“And it’s our thirty-fifth one together,” my dad, Philip, chimes in, equally excited as my mom. Thirty-five years and never missed one. They started doing this not long after Jared and Tyler became friends. Even Tyler and Jared getting married and having their own kids hasn’t stopped it.
“Please tell us, I’m dying to know,” Tyler urges, exaggerating excitement for our parents’ benefit.
Jared snorts in amusement at my brother. I have always found it fascinating how those two haven’t faltered in their friendship for as long as I’ve known them. It would be almost admirable if they weren’t… them.
“Can we get a drumroll?” Jared’s dad, Doug, asks, prompting us all to beat on the table with our hands.
Jared, most definitely on purpose, makes sure to bring his hand down over mine a few times as he’s drumming on the table, even when I try to move it. It’s utterly childish and irritating, which are two words that I would use to describe Jared in general.
There’s a pause as my mom excitedly looks around the table.
“We’re going skiing,” she blurts out, earning stares from Jared, Tyler, Maria, and me.
CHAPTER2
JARED
"You couldn't have picked somewhere warm?" Tyler asks, causing Maria to slap him on the shoulder.
"Would you stop it?" Beth, huffs, shooting Tyler a glare that makes him put his hands up in surrender.
"Well, I'm excited," I happily announce, trying to hold in my laughter as I look at Tyler. Having known him my whole life, I could guess the next thing out of his mouth.
"You would," Tyler shoots back. "You'll want to show off."
This wouldn't be the first time we had gone skiing for our family vacation. A part of me agrees with Tyler. I will enjoy showing off.
"Where?" Monica asks from where she sits next to me, not seeming too disappointed about the trip either.
At twenty-five, Monica has grown into herself. She is surely not the smartass kid or unruly teenager that I was always reminded of when I talked to her. Not that I'd ever tell her that. The comment would probably go to her head.
Her wavy chestnut brown hair looks like she cares for it religiously. She has green eyes, a pair identical to her brother’s. They almost make you miss the small crook in her nose from the time she broke it during a high school volleyball game.
As unfortunate as that event had been, the sport did wonders for her body, keeping it tight and toned even years after she stopped playing. I need to keep this observation to myself though. Not just because I wouldn't want to psych her up too much, but because her brother would kill me if he found out I had such a thought. That is his baby sister, his much younger baby sister, and although they often bicker, it doesn't stop him from being protective.
Sassy, confident, sarcastic Monica. Despite her age telling me she is an adult, her smart-ass demeanor is exactly the same as it always has been, especially when she was a teenager.
While I admit I've probably exceeded the age to be picking on someone like this, when it comes to Monica, I don't think I can outgrow it. She's always been a little tyrant and growing older hasn't changed that.
While her comment about my recent divorce stung, I should have seen it coming. I’d set myself up for it. Although I was surprised she decided to go there, considering how recently my divorce was finalized. Just thinking about the fallout between Jessica and me makes my stomach turn.
Jessica never took to motherhood. After Archer was born, she was standoffish and restless. It had been uncomfortable noticing the way she failed to look at our son the way other mothers look at their children. I can't say I was too surprised when I found a note from Jessica saying she was leaving and asking me for a divorce.
While it hurt, I'm lucky that she left me with full custody of our son.
Hopefully, it will stay that way.
My skin crawls at the thought of the email from my lawyer that popped up in my inbox this morning. I need to push the scary thought out of my mind while I’m here. I’ll return his call later.
“Just in the Berkshires,” my mom says, seeming thrilled at the idea of the trip.
