Page 61 of Last Minute Fiancé

“Their cars are out front. Good job with the situational awareness. And I don’t know why you think I’m the more rational one that’s going to help with whatever the hell is going on between the two of you.”

They finally noticed the bag in my hand.

“I didn’t realize you were heading out,” Mom said. “We’ll be quick.”

“Don’t bother,” August growled. “Just go.”

“Don’t talk to your mother with that tone,” Dad snapped.

“Don’t defend me,” Mom reacted.

This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

But as they bickered on my front porch, I realized of course it was happening again. These were the parents that had raised us, albeit reluctantly and not consistently.

“So, are you splitting up or getting divorced? Or are you trying an open marriage this time?” I asked.

“What?” my mom asked.

“If you’re here to tell me that you guys are getting a divorce—one, I’m not surprised; two, I don’t care. I have things to do.”

“Please just let us come in, we have a lot to talk about.”

“I can’t. I have to go help the future mother of my child. Oh yes, you’re going to be grandparents. I’m going to be a dad. Shocking I know. I know I’m not going to screw up my kid’s life like you continually try to ours. And you are not going to even come near my kid when you’re acting like this. You don’t get to be those kind of grandparents.”

I pushed through them and August began a slow clap, while I could hear Heath grumble under his breath.

“Grandparents!” my mom called out.

“We’re too young for that. Who’s the girl that you got in trouble?” my dad asked, and I whirled.

“You just assume I got a girl in trouble. Are you serious right now?”

“I’m just, I always thought it would be you and Ashleigh,” my mom said, her eyes filling with tears.

I ignored the blow, because my parents were so selfish that nothing they said mattered. “Ashleigh’s been gone a long time, Mom. You would know that if you had any concept of time when it has to do with human beings other than yourself.”

“Why are you so mean to me?” Mom asked, honestly confused.

“I’m not being mean, I just don’t want you here. Good luck on your divorce or whatever the hell is going on between the two of you. I don’t care anymore. You’ve ruined my relationship with my sister and my brothers. You forced me into the position I was in when I was younger when it came to school, and I fought my way out of that. You’re not ruining the rest of my future.”

“But we need you,” Mom said, and I just turned and walked to my car, knowing my brothers would lock up.

I did not want to leave my brothers to deal with all of that, and I knew we’d have to talk to Greer soon, as our sister needed to know as well.

Why couldn’t they make it work? I knew they loved each other, but they fought so often that it didn’t make sense why they even tried to be together.

They just needed to make a final decision.

And as I pulled away and drove towards Addison’s house, I wondered why I was putting myself into this situation.

I was nothing like my parents. I knew that. My relationship with Addison was nothing like theirs.

And yet for some reason all I could think about was the fact that if this didn’t work out, if Addison and I couldn’t figure our relationship out, I could hurt my kid just like my parents had hurt us.

And I didn’t want that.

I pulled into her driveway slightly calmer to see the family text chat blowing up.

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