Page 72 of The Drop

"Never B, you're our family." Cami strokes my hair as I silently cry.

"Why doesn't she care about me?" I cry, unable to catch my breath. "I thought she might apologise or admit she was wrong, but she still thinks what she did was best."

Cami hugs me harder, and I feel the boys stand up and let us sit with my dad for a while.

"We can stay as long as you need, but have you eaten yet?" Cami whispers into my ear, and that's when I remember it's Thanksgiving.

"Oh my God, guys, go enjoy the rest of the day." I wipe my nose, moving to stand up. "You didn't have to come and sit with me; I'm just going to head back to the apartment."

"Uh, no way," Cami scoffs. "Mom has already added a place for you; we came to make sure you joined us."

"No, I can't just show up," I say as she loops her arm with mine and pulls me towards the path down to the car park.

"Shh, you were supposed to come, anyway; you know she overcooks on a normal day." She brushes me off, and I smile tearily.

We get to the cars, and I notice Adam's car wheels have grass wedged all around them and mud all over the bumper. I look towards him.

"I may have mounted the grass in the rush to the apartment." He scratches his neck awkwardly.

I burst out laughing, giving him a side hug as he chuckles.

"If Grant hadn't already been halfway up the stairs as soon as the car stopped, I think he would have gone to town on him." Bear nudges me, smiling, and I smile back, hugging him before moving to Gunnar and giving him one; he picks me up, and I laugh.

"Thank you for coming," I say as he puts me down. I feel a rush of guilt. "I'm sorry if Sasha and your parents are upset."

"My mom and dad get it, and Sasha will just have to understand." He shrugs, moving towards his car with Bear following him. "We will see you guys when you get back."

They wave as Cami and Adam get into Adam's car, and Grant pushes me towards the Jeep.

"I'll ride with you," Grant says, moving toward the passenger door.

"I mean, it's your car; you can drive." I shrug, walking around him and pushing him towards the driver's door.

“Ask me nicely?” he teases, and I scoff

“Never”

“That's my girl”, he chuckles as we get in the car, and I don't correct him because it makes me feel warm and wanted by someone.

I need that more than ever today.

Chapter Thirty Two

Brooke

We arrived at Cami’s house just in time for dinner. I absolutely love this place. It’s everything my own home wasn’t warm and full of life. Cami's family is large, with her three brothers, parents, grandparents on both sides, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The pictures on the walls and shelves capture all the memories they've created together. I’m actually in a lot of them, and it makes my heart clench as I walk past my graduation photo, which is displayed next to Cami’s and her brothers’ in the dining room where we sit down.

As we eat Thanksgiving dinner with Cami’s family, sharing stories and laughter, I can’t help but think that this is exactly what I wanted when I woke up this morning.

Later, after dinner, while everyone plays games inside, I’ve nestled myself on the porch swing with a blanket, enjoying thecool air before we head to the rink. I promised Grant and Cami that I was fine and just needed some time to myself.

I keep replaying the day in my mind and kicking myself for thinking my mom would have changed. It's something I’ll wonder about for the rest of my life why can’t she just want a normal relationship with me instead of treating me like a trophy? I’ve realised that I haven't opened up enough about my relationship with her, which is why I often overlook the destructive signs.

I guess I’m mostly just embarrassed that everyone else has loving families while I feel like I’m drowning in grief and sadness.

I’m scared. I’m always going to feel this way if I cut her out. It’s like if she’s not completely gone, then I’m not faced with being stuck like this for the rest of my life.

Hearing the door creak open behind me, I turn to see who is checking on me, surprised to find Cami’s dad with two mugs of what smells like hot cider.

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