Page 172 of Unhinged

Glaring at my oblivious sisters, I sit next to my dad at the other end of the table. I irritably ask, “Is Josie too good to be here? She goes to school in Raleigh. I mean, come on. She couldn’t meet her sister-in-law?”

Ashley says, “She has a big test on Monday.” Let’s hope it’s not a pregnancy test.

“Yeah. Sure. She has a party tonight.”

Sherry shakes her head. “Josie has really turned herself around. Her grades are excellent. College seems to agree with her.” I’m still doubtful. That girl was born with a bottle of booze in her hand and left the hospital nursery with every male baby’s phone number.

“Don’t drink this yet,” Sherry says, carrying in bottles of champagne and sparkling grape juice. She pours it into four flutes, handing one to Simone, Dad, and me, and then giving the girls juice.

I ask, “What’s this for?”

Sherry says, “Greg, you shocked us. Nobody knew you had a girlfriend. We worried maybe you jumped into something too fast.”

Tabby snorts. “Or knocked up some loser chick.”

Simone smirks at her, but I don’t exist without hummus, apparently.

I scowl at my sister as Sherry clears her throat. “Tabitha, shh. Don’t ruin my speech. You’re wearing a wedding ring, Greg. You’re a husband now. I wish we could’ve been there to see you get married.” She wipes her cheeks and fans her face. “I’m okay. I won’t dwell on it.”

I mutter, “Too late.”

Dad pushes my arm, and I laugh, but Simone doesn’t. Sherry says, “But meeting Simone,” she turns to her with a watery grin, “we are so, so happy for you. Simone, take super good care of our son. I’ve known him since he was a little boy, and I still see that sweet kid when I look at him. Please remember when you argue, and you will, that you love one another.” Simone glances at me, and we stare at each other. “You can’t give up on your love. I’m rambling now. We wish you a lifetime of happiness. To Greg and Simone. Congratulations, and we love you.” Sherry raises her glass but sniffs and sets down her drink to find a tissue. Take a damn sedative.

We all sip our drinks, and when Sherry returns, Simone says, “Thank you all for welcoming me into your family. I love getting to know the people who shaped my soulmate, so thank you for that too.”

Sherry sets down her champagne glass and outright bawls. Christ Almighty. She then hugs Simone, whispering things to her as they giggle. Anyway…

I say, “Uh, yeah. Thanks so much. I see you like her more than me.”

“You got that right, brother.” Tabby’s prissy smile brings her closer to me shoving her face into the garbage casserole.

When Sherry, Ashley, and Dad aren’t looking, I flip off Tabby, but she returns it. Simone glares at me, clearly screaming I’m acting worse than the seventeen-year-old across the table. I guess the hotel room is a bust since I’m not getting laid tonight.

Dad says, “So, Simone. Tell us about your family.”

As Sherry sits down, Simone sits straighter and appears flustered but still so sexy. “My mother is a dentist, and my dad is an architect.” I smile because of how she considers Jack her dad. I suppose he’d be my father-in-law. “I have two older sisters, an older brother, and an older stepbrother. My brother, Finn Wilder, is a sportscaster back in Richmond. He’s married to Greg’s best friend, Hadley.”

Dad raises his eyebrows while Sherry glances at him. Shit.

Tabby reaches for the bread pudding, which is worth my time here. “Where is Hadley, anyway? She hasn’t visited since Eden’s funeral. You were always together.”

“What was I supposed to do when she visited? Leave her with you freaks?”

Sherry asks, “How is she doing with her baby and being a new mom?”

I shrug. “Fine, I guess. I haven’t talked to her in a while, really.”

Simone says, “She’s doing great. Before coming here, I saw her every other day. She misses Greg, though.”

Ashley asks, “Weren’t you in love with Hadley?” Motherfucker.

I quickly answer, “No. We were just friends.”

“Were?”

“Are. Damn, Ash.” You’re next in the casserole.

“I thought you were too,” Tabby says, and I wish I had the power to snap necks from across the table. “I mean, when we were at your mom’s after the funeral, you took Hadley into your bedroom and didn’t come out for a while.”

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