Page 42 of Perfectly Grumpy

“Maybe I do. Because what Mom and Dad had was special. He sat by her hospital bed for months, never complaining or leaving her side.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “That kind of love isn’t something you just find again at the gym.”

Olivia looks at me with understanding. “I know. But that doesn’t mean Dad has to spend the rest of his life alone.”

“It’s been ten months, Liv.Ten. He couldn’t wait until the next reunion to bring her?”

“I don’t think it’s about waiting or not waiting,” she says carefully. “I think it’s about him trying to figure out how to live without Mom. And for some reason, Patty makes that easier for him.”

I shake my head. “That woman looks nothing like Mom.”

“Maybe that’s exactly what he needs—someone completely different.”

“What about me? How am I supposed to share a room with a complete stranger?”

“I’d put you somewhere else, but all the rooms are full, Lauren.” She takes a breath. “At least you won’t be facing this alone. You’ve got Tate.”

I look away, unable to meet her eyes.

“Lauren?” she says. “You are bringing Tate, right? Like we talked about?”

“Liv, don’t be mad,” I say, putting my hands up in defense. “I told him not to come.”

“Are you serious?” Olivia begins to get louder. “You need him here this week! Especially now.”

“I don’t need anyone,” I say. “I’ll manage just fine on my own. LikeI always do.”

Olivia opens her mouth to respond, but her gaze suddenly fixes on something over my shoulder as a breeze rolls through the front door.

“Well, well, well,” a voice that makes my skin crawl rumbles behind me.

I spin around, ready to face the man I haven’t seen since he broke up with me.

Bart smirks as he laces his fingers through Abby’s, looking way too pleased with himself. He fills the room with his six-four frame and his blond hair is slicked back with enough gel to survive a hurricane. Abby glances at me nervously. She’s the cousin who’s closest to my age, and we’ve always gotten along, but seeing her with Bart makes everything awkward now.

“If it isn’t little Lauren,” he says with a lazy tilt of his head.

Little.Of course. He knows I hate that nickname.

“Bart,” I say with a smile so frosty it could freeze the pond outside. I snatch up my bag and turn to my sister, handing her back the key to my room. “Sorry, I need to go.”

Olivia’s face falls. “Wait, go where?”

“Don’t tell me you’re bailing on the Family Olympics,” Bart says. “Afraid of a little competition?”

I pause with my back to him. “No, Bart. I just don’t need to win anymore to feel good about myself.”

He lets out a tiny laugh. “Guess people change.”

I don’t respond. I just keep walking—until his next words land like a brick to the chest. “Especially now that your dad’s got a new woman.”

I stop cold and turn slowly to my sister. “What is he talking about?”

Olivia winces, her voice low. “Lauren…”

I scan her face, then Abby’s, and notice the way no one’s meeting my eyes.

“You all knew,” I say quietly, the words catching in my throat. “Everyoneknewbefore me.”

“Granny said you’d take it the hardest,” Olivia offers, like that makes it better.

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