Page 46 of The Plus One
The group continued their dipping and chatting, Jeremy making sure no one’s wineglass got too low on rosé. For the sake of catalyzing creativity, of course.
“It’s keeping me up at night,” Indira heard Collin saying to Lizzie and Rake. “But we can’t decide.”
“Decide what?” Indira asked, shifting a bit on Jude’s lap to face her brother.
“What color to make Dad’s boutonnière,” Collin said, holding up a richly purple flower in one hand and a burnt-orange bud in the other. “I was originally going to give him the same as the wedding party, but I’m wondering if it would be cute to have him and Mom stand out with a pop of different color. I think it would look nice in wedding photos to have variety.”
Indira’s heart plummeted down to her gut, sharp pangs dancing across the chambers.
“You know what would make the photos look really good?” Indira said, focusing on dipping a flower into the wax while the sound of her boiling blood rushed through her ears.
“What?” Collin asked.
“Not having that deadbeat in them at all,” she said, giving him a fake smile, her lips curling.
Collin set down his flowers, the room hushing to an awkward quiet. “Wow,” Collin said, shaking his head at her. “Real nice, Dira. That’s our dad you’re being so rude about.”
“Sperm donoris a more apt title thandadfor how involved he’s been over the past few years, don’t you think?”
“Dira,” Harper whispered softly, reaching out a hand when Indira’s voice rose.
“Why are you being like this?” Collin said, mouth twisting.
“I just don’t understand why you even invited him.”
“Because it’s my wedding and I want him there,” Collin shot back.
“Butwhywould you want him there?” Indira said, disentangling herself from Jude as she stood, getting eye-level with her brother. “He left us, Collin. You saw how Mom struggled. It’s such a slap in the face to then be like,Oh, here, Father that abandoned us, have this starring role in my big day and stand next to the person that actually raised us.”
“Believe it or not, Dira, I don’t have to justify my choices to you.”
Indira opened her mouth to say something, but Collin cut her off.
“And you’re the only one who hasn’t grown up enough to get over it. Mom and I talked about it, and agreed it’s fine. Everyone’s moved on except for you.”
The silence in the room was sharp. Startling. And it pricked at Indira’s skin, opening her to a rush of embarrassment as she felt so many eyes on her.
“I think we’ve done enough for tonight,” Jeremy said gently, placing his hands on Collin’s shoulders and giving Indira a soft look. “All this pollen has gone to our heads. Why don’t we call it quits and walk to the brewery down the hill? First round on me.”
Collin’s mask of anger slowly fell away, but his eyes remained cold as he looked at Indira. “That’s a good idea.”
“We’re down,” Chris said after a beat, clearing his throat and holding up his clasped hand with Lauren. Jeremy smiled.
“And you all?” Jeremy asked, looking at the remaining people circled around the table.
Thu, Harper, and Lizzie shot Indira questioning glances. She gave them a tense smile and an encouraging nod. “You should go,” she said softly.
They stared at her for a moment longer, but she nodded more encouragingly this time, and they agreed.
“I’m gonna stay back,” Indira said. “I have an awful headache and probably should head to bed.”
Collin opened his mouth, his eyes no longer cold, but Indira held up her hand.
“Seriously,” she said. “Go have fun. I need to pop some ibuprofen and crash.” They looked at each other, a silent understanding that the argument would be let go and the harsh words left behind passing between them.
Collin nodded. “All right,” he said, glancing around. “Let’s get our coats and head out?”
Everyone moved to get organized.
