“Good riddance,” Mom says, adding “cunt” under her breath.
Beck’s lips twitch, and Hudson is full-on grinning.
Ivy looks ready to go off again, but the security guards flank her on either side as they prepare to escort her out of the hospital.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Hugh,” she tosses over her shoulder as she walks away. Her eyes bore into mine. “I’ll enjoy evicting you permanently from my son’s life. He’ll thank me when he wakes.”
Silence ensues as we watch her being escorted off the floor.
“You should have pressed charges,” Hudson says when the elevator doors close taking the Wicked Witch away.
“The last thing I need is my personal business being splashed all over newspapers and society pages. Garrick is estranged from his mom, but I know he wouldn’t want me to have her arrested. Nothing good would come from it anyway. It’s not like she’d ever be punished. She’d use the governor to have the case thrown out before any report was written.”
“I want to know what she’s up to,” Nana says. “Those threats didn’t seem empty to me.”
“I agree.” Hugh rubs at his temples.
“There is no point worrying about it now,” Dawn says. “We’ll find out soon enough what she has up her sleeve. For now, I suggest we try to put this behind us and remember why we are here.”
“What do you want to do, honey?” Mom turns to me.
“I don’t much feel like celebrating,” I truthfully admit. “But it’s Garrick’s birthday, so I’ll put a smile on my face and give him his present. I’ll stay for the cake cutting, but I’d like to go home then.”
“Can I make a suggestion?” Hadley says as Dawn, Will, and Hudson enter Garrick’s room, giving us some privacy. Hugh is speaking in hushed tones with the hospital director.
“What suggestion?” I ask, watching Hugh’s frown deepen as he converses with the woman.
“Nana, Monica, and Beck should come back to our place after. We can grab takeout, open some wine, and discuss what we’re going to do about that bitch.”
“I’m in,” Beck readily agrees. “If that’s okay with you?” he asks, peering into my eyes. “I will visit with Brielle while you’re spending time with Garrick. You can text me when you’re ready to go.”
I don’t think about it for long. I was wrong earlier. I do need a distraction, and I need him. If I’m left to my own devices after the shit show this night has turned into, who knows what I might do. “Okay.”
Beck takes out his phone as Hugh ends his conversation with the director and slips into Garrick’s room. “Add your number,” Beck says, placing the phone in my palm.
“Close to You” by The Carpenters trickles through the momentary gap in the door, and my heart stutters in my chest. I don’t know if I have the mental fortitude to withstand tonight. Even if I only plan to stay for a little while. It was already going to be difficult enough before Ivy made it worse.
“Hey.” Beck’s voice softens, and his eyes flood with concern. “Talk to me.”
“I’m okay,” I lie, and I know he sees through it. “Thank you for what you said. I appreciate it so much.” I punch in my digits and hand the phone back to him.
“Yes, thank you.” Mom butts in. “You didn’t hesitate to defend my daughter, and I’m grateful. I was liable to stab that bitch, so I’m happy you intervened and spared me from spending the rest of my life in prison.”
Oh my god.
The Colson family circus is back in town.
“You’re welcome.” Beck smothers a grin. “I will always support Stevie, and no one deserves jail time over that woman. It would be a travesty.”
“Very true. I’m Monica Colson, by the way,” she adds, thrusting her arm out. “Stevie’s Mom, but you’ve probably already worked that out.”
“I did, and it’s nice to meet you, Monica.” Beck shakes her hand. “You too, Mrs. Colson,” he adds, smiling at Nana.
“Betsy, please.” Nana smooths a hand down the front of her wine-colored velvet dress. “I try to forget I was ever married.”
I haven’t had the chance to properly warn him about my family, but I have a feeling Beck would hold his own.
Hadley opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her dead with a warning look.
