“I’m sorry for hanging up on you. But I still wish you would’ve come tomebefore Cody.”
I sigh. “I tried.”
“When?”
I guess I hadn’t really. I thought about it plenty though.
“I feel like I hinted at it few times.” I choose my words carefully. “That I didn’t think he was a great match for you.” I hold my breath.
She looks down at her hands. “Nobody’s perfect,” she mumbles, as if that’s the only reasoning she has.
“I know. I didn’t say he was supposed to be, but there are some things that I’d be concerned with if I were you.”
“Like what?”
“Like his relationship with God? Does he even believe in God, Addison?” I spit out, my voice cutting through the space between us like a blade.
She doesn’t look at me, and I watch her bite the inside of her cheek.
“That’s a big fatno.” I huff. “See, you won’t even look at me.” My voice is on the verge of breaking and I think she hears that, because she finally looks up. Her eyes are slightly red and glassy, full of something that knocks the wind out of me.
I swallow. “I don’t think you understand how much I care about you, and how much I just want what’s best for you.”
“He’s working on everything. He’s already come a long way.”Her voice is barely above a whisper. “He apologized, said certain things wouldn’t happen again, and they haven’t. He’s just…he’s learning.”
“Okay.” I bite back what I really wanna say and stand up. “I’m glad. I’m sorry I got involved then. I’m glad you figured it all out. Really.” I try to sound genuine but it’s a complete lie.
They’ve been together almost two years and the progress, in my opinion, is too slow. He’s not trying hard enough to meet her needs. If he cared enough and loved her enough, it wouldn’t be like pulling teeth.
She stands too. “So, we’re good?” she asks.
“Mm-hmm,” I hum. Thankfully, my fake smile is enough that she doesn’t see through it.
“Good. I should get back home then. I’ll see you around.” She heads towards the door and leaves.
I stand there, waiting for some sort of relief to hit me, but it doesn’t.
* * *
When I sit down on the church pew beside my family, my eyes catch on Addison’s wavy hair a few rows up, the lineup of her family different than usual. Brantley is sitting shoulder to shoulder with her.
The irony. Is she doing this to prove a point?
He’s never come with her before and part of me is annoyed that he’s here. I know that’s not the right way to think, being annoyed someone’s at church. I force myself to turn it around… Good for him, I’m happy for her.
If you think I’m not watching them together the entire time you’re wrong. I can’t help but notice the way his shoulders are slumped while he stands during worship. It doesn’t take an idiot to see he doesn’t care to be here.
Afterwards, Addison doesn’t even come into Sunday school. I saw her leave with Brantley right before it started. That’s not her. She never leaves early. We’ve been in this class together since we were three years old. And unless we’re sick…our butts are in this building.
Chapter 11
Addison
Ella clears her throat as she hands out cupcakes to everyone around the table. Hidden inside each one is the baby’s gender in pink or blue icing. I can hardly wait. Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter to me. But if I had to guess, something in my gut says it’s a girl.
Brantley is sitting beside me. He came to church with us this morning. He’s been over for lunch or dinner before, but today was the first time he came to church. Although I didn’t knowwhatto expect, it wasn’t really what I was hoping for.
He didn’t hold my hand when we prayed, like Jesse and Ella do. He didn’t put his arm around me while Pastor Charlie spoke, like Dad does to Mom. He just sorta sat there. And I’m really trying not to compare. Itwashis first time there, and my family always sits towards the front. That can be intimidating, I guess…maybe. I think I’m just going to have to give him some time to adjust, to get used to the dynamic, but I really hope that he’ll get to that point sooner rather than later.
