Page 73 of Her Three Tech Bros

Ethan’s mom starts crying again, and he reaches for her.

“Mom, I’m happy, okay? Isn’t that all that matters? Why don’t you just get to know Jade? I know you’ll love her if you do.”

His mom wipes her tears and looks at him, swallowing.

“I’m just worried about you. I don’t see how this can work.”

“You don’t have to be worried. Jade is amazing, and even if it somehow didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be because of her.”

His mom appears to think for a moment. “You really are happy?”

“Yes, mom. Happier than I’ve ever been. And it’s because of this girl right here,” he says, looking at Jade. “She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

His mom looks at Jade and smiles. It’s obvious that she wants to be open about this, but something is stopping her from completely giving up her prejudice. She nods her head.

“I’ll try. I will.”

Ethan looks relieved. Even I feel relieved, despite my own family remaining silent. I look them in the eye, first my mom, then my dad, then my brother.

“I agree with Logan. If you can’t accept this, then that’s fine with me. But I won’t feel inclined to accept you, either.”

“Accept us?” Chris says. “We haven’t done anything wrong, unlike you.”

“You have, though. You’ve judged your own flesh and blood and treated his girlfriend like garbage. Do you think I want someone like that in my life?”

My mom clears her throat, shocking me. She’s barely said two words this whole time.

“Chris, enough. Your brother is right. The least we can do is try to understand,” she says, before pausing to look at me. “I don’t want to lose my son.”

I smile at her, before eyeing my father. All he does is nod. Good enough. For now.

“Whatever,” mutters.

“Dad, come on,” Penny says to her father. “You’re the only one here who won’t budge. Well, besides him.” She shoots a dirty look at Chris.

A pained expression takes over her dad’s face. He looks at Logan, pursing his lips.

“Come on,” she continues. “It doesn’t have to be like this. Nothing has actually changed. Logan hasn’t changed.”

His dad doesn’t say anything. He just picks up his fork and takes a bite of his pasta.

Logan’s eyes drift to mine, and I give him a shrug. He looks conflicted but turns to Jade and places a hand on her shoulder. She smiles at him, and his face lights up.

Maybe we’ll all be okay after all. I pick up my fork and knife, cut a piece of steak, and eat it. As I chew, I glance around the table. Everyone seems invested in their food, and no one is glaring anymore. Well, except for Chris.

“So Jade, I know you said you were from Colorado,” Logan’s mom speaks for the first time tonight. “Have you been to the Great Sand Dunes National Park?”

“I have! Twice, actually. It’s so beautiful there. Have you been?” Jade asks.

“Once. I went on a vacation there when I was young. I remember thinking it looked like a scene in a movie.”

“I agree. It almost doesn’t look real there. Are you big on traveling?”

“I am, though more when I was younger. I haven’t had much time recently.”

Jade is beaming, and I finally feel like I can relax. She looks so happy, though only moments ago, she was crying from something my brother said. Progress.

I just hope the rest of this dinner can continue like this.

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