Page 67 of The One I Want
Oliver’s face is pale white. “Yes, sir. He is.” He sends me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Wes. You know I’m not good under pressure.”
I let out a sigh, rubbing my hand over my face. “Fine. Yes, Betsy and I are trying this out. It’s new. Very new. And we didn’t tell you because we haven’t told the kids yet. We wanted to get through the holidays.”
“Well you’re doing a shit job,” Dad says. “Listen, I don’t care who you two date. All I’ve ever wanted is for my sons to be happy. But you can’t hide or spring this stuff on us. Because what you two don’t realize is that when you leave, I have to hear about it from your mother. And I love the woman, but when she’s the last to find something out, she’s damn hard to live with. So please, just remember that for next time.”
We nod. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” Dad says as he stands. “I need more taco dip. Luke, I like her. She seems good for you. And Wes?”
I look up at him. “Yeah?”
“This is what I’ve always wanted for you. That’s how you look at the woman you’re supposed to be with.”
Neither of us says anything as Dad walks away.
“Fuck,” Luke lets out as he exhales. “I thought we seriously did something.”
“I did too,” I say. “So Olivia? Were you not going to tell me that you were dating a Fury cheerleader?”
He shrugs. “Like I said, it’s new.”
“Is this the same woman I called you out for last month when you were helping me move?”
“Possibly,” he says. “But enough about me. Betsy? Seriously?”
“Quiet!” I whisper yell. “The kids don’t know. I don’t want them finding out about it this way.”
“Emerson knows,” Oliver says.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because the girl has a shitty poker face, and she saw you two sneak a hand hold tonight. It was the best smile I’ve seen from her in ages.”
While that makes me feel good, I don’t want her to think we’re hiding. Tomorrow. We have to tell them tomorrow.
“Daddy!” Magnolia comes running into the room. “It’s about to be midnight!”
We stand up and make our way to the living room. My three kids are in front of the television, noise makers in hand. My mom, Olivia, and Betsy come out of the kitchen, each holding flutes of champagne that they pass around to us. Luke takes his from Olivia and brings her into his side, giving her a kiss on the temple. Betsy hands one flute to Oliver, then the other to me, as she stands between us.
“My dad knows,” I whisper to her. “I just got an earful.”
“I think your mom does too. I kept getting veiled comments,” Betsy says. “The only thing that saved me was Olivia. We need to take her and Luke out sometime. I owe her at least dinner.”
“Noted,” I say.
We’re standing in the back of the room, which is what I planned. If I can’t kiss Betsy the way I want to at midnight, I need to at least have a moment with her. I reach down for her hand, which she immediately grabs on to and laces our fingers as the countdown begins.
“Ten! Nine! Eight!”
This year is about to be over. The worst year of my life is officially in the past…
“Seven! Six! Five!”
On to new beginnings. Back in the town that I love. With the people I love.
“Four! Three!”
And to new beginnings. The planned ones, as well as the unplanned ones…
