Page 114 of The Invitation
“You did the right thing,” Jeremiah says. “Tensions were high. The right thing was to leave and let Georgia handle it. She was safe, and if she needed you, she would’ve called.”
And she didn’t call.
Fuck.I hang my head.
“She’s really embarrassed about the things her mother said to you,” Sutton says. “I know she feels awful.”
“It’s not her fault. I’m sure her piece of work mother will blame her for it, considering it seems like she blames her for everything.”
“You have no idea,” Sutton says, groaning.
Her mother’s words echo through my head.
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me, especially when you know what a rotten week this has been for me!”
“You’re betraying me just like your father.”
Georgia said she was selfish, butholy shit.
If this is the only family Georgia has, then I understand why she’s reluctant to terminate their relationship no matter how terrible it might be. But this isn’t healthy. This isn’t good.
Who does Georgia go to when she’s sick? Hurt? When she needs support?
Who takes care of her? Protects her? Is her shield from the world?
It doesn’t look like she has one. It appears she’s out there, fending for herself, andI can’t handle that.
“Dammit,” I groan into the air, pounding my fist against the countertop. “I can’t take this shit. What should I do? Do I call her? Go over there? Text her? What?”
“Why don’t you give her some space tonight?” Sutton suggests. “She’s trying to do what’s right for everyone involved. Let’s give her a bit of time to get her head together.”
“I don’t like that plan.”
Jeremiah chuckles. “I bet you don’t, man, but Sutton’s going over there in a little bit.”
“And I’ll tell her I talked to you,” she says.
“And if you need anything—if she needs me—you’ll call me, right?” I ask.
“You’re my first call,” Sutton says. “This is going to be all right. I promise.”
I look down at Waffles, his little chin resting on my foot, and smile weakly.
Just last night Georgia and I were outside, taking Waffles for a walk. Throwing him the ball. Ordering him jackets online for the upcoming fall—something that was a little extra for even me—but Georgia insisted.
And now, we’re here.
It was so much easier when she hated me for something I’d done instead of possibly seeing me in the same way they do.
“Keep me updated,” I say.
“Call me if you need me,” Jeremiah says. “I’ll be home all night. Keep away from the tequila tonight, just in case. ”
I push the bottle away from me. “Okay. Talk to you later.”
“Bye,” they say and hang up.
I hold my head in my hands and replay every conversation I’ve ever had with Georgia—until one conversation sticks out.
