The awkwardness followed us out the door, and Dylan, of course, made it worse.“Here you go, darling,” he said grandly, opening the passenger door for me with a bow.
Amanda stood behind us, arms crossed, eyebrows raised so high they nearly touched her hairline.
I threw her an apologetic smile and sat in the passenger seat of Dylan’s car.If I had known Amanda would arrive earlier than expected, we wouldn’t have gotten caught.I had given her a key to my house, though she rarely used it and?—
I stopped overthinking when Dylan whistled like it was just another day, sliding into the driver’s seat while Amanda climbed into the back.
“I’m wondering if this is a dream or a nightmare,” she muttered, throwing daggers at both of us.
I cleared my throat, looking out of the window.It would be my fault if she broke up our friendship, but I would talk to her before that could happen.
The car ride to Coral Springs felt long.Toolong.Even Dylan remained quiet, his shades on as he drove with both hands on the wheel, his knuckles white.I knew he was itching to hold my hand or my thigh.
The silence was heavy until Amanda broke it.“So, tell me.How exactly did this happen?”
Dylan shot me a smirk before lying smoothly.“Well, you know.We have similar goals in life.Same values.And since you’re my sister and she’s your best friend… it just felt natural.”
“You’re stupid.”Amanda snorted.“Katie, we need to talk later.”
I nodded quickly.“Of course.I’m sorry, Amanda.I should’ve?—”
“It’s fine,” she said, staring out the window.I couldn’t read her expression.
I slumped in the seat and blinked at my lap when Dylan’s hand covered mine, squeezing it.
By the time we pulled into Anna’s driveway, my nerves were all over the place.But the sight of my sister glowing with happiness as she greeted everyone melted my tension.She was glowing, her pregnancy bump on full display, Caleb on one side of her and Kyle on the other.The two husbands fussed over her like loyal guard dogs, and Anna beamed, soaking it all up.
After her past, she deserved it and more.
The backyard was decorated with pastel balloons, with a giant cake sitting on the picnic table.Everyone wore either pink or blue.Dylan and I both wore pink because we were team girl.She had a son and a younger daughter, but I believed she was going to have a girl.
I was also surprised to see Summer Hayes and her fiancé Damon in the backyard.She grinned, waving at me.I smiled, greeting her back.
“Katie,” my mom appeared beside me, and I felt Dylan’s gaze on my neck.He was talking to others, but I could see he was worried about me.
“Mother,” I said.
“I’m sorry.”
My head snapped to her, the same eyes as mine, glancing at me.“What?”I asked, wondering if I had misheard.
She swallowed and said, her tone sincere, “I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have… done that on your birthday.”
“Yes, you shouldn’t have,” I said sharply.Closing my eyes, I sighed, “It’s fine.You’ve always done that.”
“I just wanted you to taste—never mind that.I’m sorry I never knew how to be your mother,” she said it so quietly I barely heard it.
My hand tightened on my purse when she continued, “Anna and others were fine.Anna… she’s so kind and gentle.She practically parented all of you.”
“Yeah, she did.”
Without Anna, I don’t know what I would have done with my life.Mom hadn’t supported her when she got pregnant in high school, throwing her out, and I had gone with Anna, supporting her.They made up after Dad died, but I couldn’t forgive Mom.
“If only I was a better mother, your childhood would have been different,” she said, staring at Alice, Anna’s daughter, laughing and playing around.
“It’s in the past now,” I said, not knowing what else to say.I sometimes wish there were a manual on how to act like a human being in certain situations.
Her warm, withered hand touched mine, and I glanced at her glassy eyes.“I know I can’t make up for the lost time, but I hope I can be better.”
