Page 89 of Fractured Frets

“What?” My heart lurched against my ribs. I spun to face her and spoke low so only she could hear. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

My friends, sitting opposite us, shot me concerned looks.

She shrugged like the news was no big deal, but it was. My head was exploding. Not because she was still doing her show, but because she hadn’t mentioned the show’s renewal or talked about re-signing in weeks. This was no deal-breaker. But why hadn’t she told me the news?

“We haven’t had a chance to talk,” she whispered. “You were busy with the show. Tired. I didn’t want to bring it up during the drive. I’d planned to tell you tomorrow.”

My neck pinched as I nodded. I closed my eyes and hid my anguish behind a soft smile. “It’s okay. We’ll talk later.” Fuuuuck!

“How are you going to build a life together while you’re in a different country?” Mom jabbed her finger against the table. “When are you going to have children?”

My leg jiggled. Sweat broke out on my neck. I grimaced and rubbed my brow. We’d had this conversation many times over the years. I wasn’t like my brothers. Never would be. “Mom, we don’t want kids.” I made no apology for not being paternal. I had no desire to have children. Nor did Maddy. I had too many other things that filled me with satisfaction and contentment. My friends, music, and Maddy were all I needed.

“We’ll have some for you,” Tia piped up from beside me. “Lewis and I are baby-ready. You can dote on them any time you like.”

“I knew I liked you for a reason.” Mom’s eyes sparkled at Tia and Lewis. Growing up across the street from each other, Tia, Cole, Flint, Phil, and I had been inseparable, always hanging out and playing music, and often having dinners together. Mom always loved feeding everyone. “You’re going to have beautiful bambini.”

“We can’t wait to have a family.” Lewis swooped in and gave Tia a quick kiss on the lips.

“You be a good man, Lewis.” Mom wagged her finger at him. “Marry Tia first.”

“Now that might not be for us.” Tia giggled as she swiped her drink off the table. “We’re happy as is.”

Mom threw her hands into the air. “What is with young people these days?”

“Mrs. L, we go after what we want and don’t need to follow any traditions.” Cole waved his wine at her. “I’d move in with you just for your cooking.”

“Oh, you’re a troublemaker, you are.” Mom blushed, pink as a peach. Cole always flirted with Mom, and she fucking loved it. I was sure she was the reason Cole fell in love with Italian food. She loved looking after me and my friends when we were younger. But Mom drew in a deep breath and wrapped her cardigan around her middle. “Sebastian, marriage is about family. Why get married if you have no intention of having one?”

Maddy dug her fingers into my thigh, harder and harder. “Marriage is about love. Family is not just about children. These people are my family.” She circled her finger through the air, taking in our friends. “We love, support, and respect one another. We are always there for each other. We never judge and are grateful to be in each other’s lives.” She took my hand in hers and clutched it hard, turning her attention back to my parents. “Not once have they ridiculed us for what we did. They questioned it, absolutely. But everyone supported us once they knew we were serious. You don’t have to like how we got married, but you have to accept it. What we want out of life may differ from what you want, and there is nothing wrong with that. We have a lot of things to work out. It would be nice if you could respect and support us. If not, I won’t lose sleep over it. But Slip will. He loves all of you. Does a lot for you. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.”

I just fell even more in love with my wife. I loved her fire. That she was in this with me. But I wasn’t in the mood to battle my parents .“Mads?” My voice hovered just above a whisper. “It’s okay.”

“No. It’s not,” Maddy shot back at my parents. “They haven’t said one nice thing to us all evening. Can’t they be happy for us?”

“Not their style.” I shrugged.

Mom shook her head. “It’s hard to be happy when you’re continually in the headlines. All this speculation surrounding Sebastian’s involvement with Harper is embarrassing. I don’t know what to believe. It’s shameful, Sebastian. Shameful.”

Clenching my jaw, I summoned a level tone. “I’m not with Harper. It’s just gossip.”

“Trust me.” Maddy smirked. “I wish that would die too.”

Luca cut in and laughed. “I like your spirit, Maddy. But we’ve all got bets on how long you two stay married.”

The strings holding my heart together snapped. “Fuck you, Luca.” I’d had enough. My family could sling shit at me—they always did. But not at Maddy. I wiped my hand down my face and then rubbed the back of my neck. I was so tired. Tired of the continual crap Maddy and I had to face. Tired of being apart. Tired of gossip and bullshit. My shoulders slumped, weighed down with tons of marble. My body ached with too much tension. I hauled in a long breath and glared at my parents. “I’ve always had to prove to you I’m good at what I do. That my friends are decent people. That they are my family too. I don’t need to do that anymore. I’m a grown man. I didn’t need your approval to get married, or on who I’ve chosen to spend my life with, or on how I go about doing that. I love everyone here—especially Maddy. We didn’t come for this bullshit.” I tugged on the skirt of Maddy’s dress. “Let’s get out of here.” I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet.

“Sure, babe.” She put down her napkin and stood.

“Guys.” I jutted my chin toward my friends. “We’ll see you back at the villa.”

“’Kay. We’ll come too.” Cole grabbed a fresh glass of wine and guzzled it as if aiming to down the whole thing.

But I held up my hand. “Cole, it’s fine. Stay. Enjoy yourselves.”

Cole stopped drinking. Concern drifted across his eyes as he nodded. “We won’t be long.”

After grabbing her clutch off the back of the chair, Maddy stepped toward my parents. Her expression softened and a warm smile lit her face. “Mrs. Lipfield, I hope you’ve had a fabulous birthday. It was nice to see you again and I look forward to getting to know you. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. I’ll see you back in LA.”

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