Page 80 of Love Me

Bear: Me and you

It doesn’t go unnoticed that this hurts more than anything Levi has ever done to me. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does.

Harlow: Are we going to talk about this ticking time bomb?

Deciding to leave her on read for a moment, I bite the metaphorical bullet and call my mother before Harlow’s big-ass mouth can, if she hasn’t already.

“Hannah, what a nice surprise. How is Charlotte today? Liam?”

Because why the hell would she ask how I am? I drop the phone to my side and sigh before bringing it back to my ear.

“Hi, Mom. That’s actually what I was calling you about, I have good news,” I try to say with as much cheer as I can muster.

“Oh? I’m listening.”

“Liam and I eloped.”

The silence stretches long enough that I look at the screen of my phone to make sure the call hasn’t disconnected.

“Mom? Did you hear me?”

“Yes, sorry. A bit stunned. Didn’t you just start dating?”

“Not really, like I said the last time we spoke—we’ve been seeing each other, we were keeping it to ourselves while we made sure this is what worked for us. Trying to keep things as normal as possible for Charlotte since he’s been such a constant in her life since she was born.”

The words feel like ash on my tongue. I’m such a fucking idiot. That man is hurting so much right now because I was a blind asshole. An image of Liam’s tear-stained face flashes across my eyes and I wince, my heart aching in my chest.

“Yes, he has. You both have been lucky to have him around. I don’t know what you would have done without him.”

Well, I would have fucking figured it out! Because that’s what people do! But she couldn’t relate to any of this.

“We’re lucky to have him. I just wanted to let you know our good news.”

“Well, it sounds like a celebration is in order. Your dad and I will push up our trip back to Aspen Ridge and plan something for all of us together. While I shouldn’t be surprised you eloped since you can’t seem to do anything the correct way, we still need to have a party.”

Mother above, give me strength. I am going to lose my shit on this woman.

“Mom, there’s a reason we eloped. We don’t want a big celebration. It’s just between Liam and I, and we want to keep it that way.”

“Nonsense. I’m having your dad change our flights to return next weekend. I’ll start working on everything now.”

“Mom. Do you even hear me? Thank you, but no thank you.”

“Hannah, you don’t know what you want. You never have. I will take care of this for you, though. Give them my love. See you soon.”

She disconnects the call with my mouth hanging open. She’s un-fucking-believable. I toss my phone onto the counter and lean forward, dropping my head into my hands. Why does everything have to be such a mess? Why can’t she just see what a hard worker I am? That I’m happy . . . most of the time anyway. There is nothing wrong with being tired. She equates it with being stressed, but being tired just means you put in the work, that you’re hustling to reach your goals.

“Ugh! Why are you so judgmental, Mom? Why can’t you just love me for me?”

“She’s always been that way. Not sure what your father saw in that one.” I nearly jump out of my skin as my grandma walks into the kitchen.

“Shit, Grandma. Make yourself known. I think my heart stopped.”

“I talked, didn’t I? That’s making myself known. What else do you need? Want me to walk around with a bell around my neck?” I can’t help but relax in her presence as I smile at her. To be her when I get old is ultimate life goals.

“What’d she do this time?”

Maybe now is as good of a time as any to bring up the plans for Bean Haven.

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