Grant didn’t have the full details as to why I was experiencing such strong negative emotions, but he still noticed and took care of me. Why couldn’t my mom understand and do the same? She was the one who was supposed to take care of me, and she failed. When she came around, she acted as if their actions didn’t completely ruin my life. I fell into toxic relationships, I was used for sex by every man I’d been intimate with, and I could barely make friends because I couldn’t trust anyone.
“Finally, I’m starving,” Grant said as the waiter set down our food.
I’d lost my appetite, so I moved the food on my plate to give the impression I was eating. Unfortunately, Grant had a keen awareness and noticed right away that I hadn’t taken a bite of my food when he was practically done.
He nudged my shoulder and gave me a knowing expression. “I’m not feeling very hungry suddenly. I think I’ll take mine home and eat later tonight.”
He leaned close to me. “What’s really going on?” he whispered. “Is it your mom?”
I quickly looked over at my mom and Andrés, who were deep in conversation.
“I…”
“Let’s all sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl,” Emma shouted across the table, interrupting my conversation with Grant.
“I’ll tell you later,” I quickly said before everyone broke out into song. I smiled and laughed as best I could, but everyone’s eyes on me made me sweat. I could keep it together until I got home; I had to.
Grant cut the cake while Emma handed out slices to everyone. “I brought you a centerpiece with barely any frosting.” Grant handed me the perfect slice of strawberry cake.
“Has anyone told you lately that you’re the best?” I winked at him.
“Has anyone told you lately that you have a cute nose?” He proceeded to dip his finger in the frosting of his slice of cake and poke it onto my nose.
I gasped. “How dare you. I spent at least ten minutes doing my nose makeup.”
We both burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” My mom approached us, hand in hand with Andrés.
I turned to look at her with the frosting still on my nose. “Look what Grant did.” I continued laughing until I saw the disapproving look on her face. I relaxed my expression and grabbed a napkin off the table to wipe my nose.
She scrunched her face in disapproval. “That’s a little childish, don’t you think?”
I clenched my jaw, avoiding her glare.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Grant chimed in.
We all looked up at him in surprise. “It’s okay,” I reassured him.
He put his arm around me before turning his attention to my mom. “Today is Serenity’s birthday, and she has been on edge and unhappy since the second you walked through the door. Instead of being happy that she’s having a little fun onherbirthday, you chastise her like she’s a child. She’s not a child, and she’s fully capable of doing whatever the hell she wants. She has been too nice to say it, but I think it’s time for you to leave.”
My mom’s face was bright red with anger. Andrés stepped in front of her before she had a chance to fight back.
“We’re sorry for intruding. We’ll be heading out,” Andrés said, leading my mom toward the door.
I couldn’t believe he stuck up for me like that. I watched them walk out the door. My mom didn’t even give me a hug or saygoodbye. Luckily, no one else seemed to notice the commotion, so I fell into Grant’s arms to compose myself before going back to the rest of the group.
“Did your mom leave?” Aunt Benita asked.
“Yes, I think she was in a hurry for something,” I lied.
Aunt Benita sighed. “Just like her to leave without saying goodbye. Did you have a good time at least?”
“It’s always a great time when you’re here.” I lay my head on her shoulder; she kissed the top of my head.
“I should get going myself—let you youngins finish off the party.”
I walked Aunt Benita out, and soon Allie, Sasha, and Mikey were saying goodbyes as well.
