Audra sighs softly. “The honeymoon was at a resort, and it’s pretty secluded. We went to a little town about an hour away last night for dinner, and I guess the people who work there recognized us from all the social media stuff.”
“Oh.”
I could apologize, but I’m not going to. My terrible toast at the reception was the first time I called them both out about what happened. Maybe it wasn’t the best time to do it, but if they had both handled things better before—or maybe, I don’t know, not cheated—it never would have come to that. I didn’t know how much I needed to say what I did until I had time to think about it.
“We couldn’t figure out what was going on,” she says. “One lady was yelling at us, and two other ladies were laughing and pointing. So I turned on Google Translate and it didn’t get everything, but when I saw ‘bad sister’ and ‘you spank him,’ I knew.”
It’s all I can do not to laugh, but I keep it in. “I don’t know what to say, Audra. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
She sighs, not saying anything for a few seconds. I hear a dinging sound in the background.
“I don’t know why I had to travel across the world and have it yelled at me in Thai, but I know why she said it and I needed to tell you ... I am the bad sister. I deserved what you said. And more, really.”
The genuine remorse in her tone softens something inside me. “I shouldn’t have said it like that, though. Not at your wedding reception.”
“You had some liquid courage. And that’s on us for the open bar.”
I laugh, and it gives me a pang, because I haven’t laughed with my sister over anything in a long time.
“Well, we went viral, and not everyone can say that,” I say.
“I can’t even follow it anymore. People want me dead. Strangers behind keyboards are the cruelest people in the world.”
“Stay away from it. I haven’t looked at any of it since the day after it happened.”
“It did lead to an interesting convo for me and Kyle.” There’s a smile in her voice. “He’s never asked me to spank him.”
I cringe. “I don’t know what to say here.”
“It’s okay. I just ... I was wrong. I wanted you back in my life so much that I pushed Mom and Dad to get you to the wedding, and then I pushed you over the dress and the photos. I should have let you do what was right for you, even if it meant you didn’t come.”
I’m too stunned to respond, but after a long pause, I say, “I appreciate that.”
“I know too much has happened for me to even hope things could be like they used to. But I miss you, Talia. If you ever feel like we could talk again, even if it means we only talk on the phone and only about certain subjects, I’ll take it.”
I never imagined Audra saying anything like this. Especially now, when I embarrassed her and Kyle on a pretty much global scale.
“I’ll think about it. And no matter what happens, I do still love you. If you truly needed something, I’d be there.”
“I know.” Her voice is choked with tears. “You’re a better person than I am. You never would have done to me what I did to you.”
“If I truly needed something, you’d be there.”
“I would.”
“Are you guys okay?” I ask. “Like, do you feel safe? Because it really worries me that you said people want you dead.”
“We’re flying home now, and there are security people meeting us at the airport.”
“That’s ...” I sigh softly. “It’s scary. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you guys. I’d offer to help pay for the security, but I’m broke.”
“Don’t worry about it. Kyle’s team is taking care of the cost of security for him, so we aren’t paying for all of it.”
“Be safe, okay?”
“I will. And before you go, I want you to know I’m so happy for you and Lucien. I know we’ll never double date or anything, but ... maybe someday I could see the two of you by myself. Dinner or something. I can tell it’s the real thing with you guys. He seems like a really good guy who has your back.”
“He is and he does.”
