Page 96 of Terms + Conditions
She stands there acting like she’s sorry for what she’s doing. What she’s done. When in reality, she couldn’t give two shits about anyone but herself and not how this affects me.Finn. I mean, how this affects Finn.
“You know, I thought Finn would be the one to hurt you, but turns out you’re the one who ended up breaking his heart.”
“Broke his—I broke his heart? Josh, do you hear yourself? A month ago, you were pissed at the thought of us dating! Now you’re defending him?”
“I’m tired of your shit. Don’t fucking bring David around because I don’t want anything to do with him or your ‘marriage.’”
"He's my husband, Josh! That has to count for something. If anyone should understand that, it’s you. You and Elizabeth—”
"What makes you think this time will be any different?"
I don’t need to ask the question because I already know the answer. It won’t be different. David is a controlling asshole, but no one ever wanted to talk about it before. Everyone was okay with sweeping the truth under the rug because Michaela pretended to be happy. She has always pretended not to notice what an asshole he is and how he hates our family. Not anymore.I’m done pretending not to notice the way he treats her like an accessory instead of a human being—instead of his wife.
“You’re choosinghimover me?” Michaela cries.
This isn’t me choosing Finn over her. This is me choosing my sister. Supporting her the best way I can because I refuse to watch as she hurts herself.
“I’m your sister! Does that mean nothing to you?” She scoffs when I don’t respond. “So, I’m back to the annoying kid sister you left behind, while youonce againchoose your friends over me. You don’t want to include me in your shit, but you feeljustguilty enough to let me stand on the sidelines and watch. Watch as you live your perfect life with your perfect friends, your perfect house, your perfect job, and your own perfect marriage.”
If she only knew.
“And I’m expected to be the good little girl who is seen and not heard—that’s what you want, right?”
Well, she is right, but I’m not the one who wants her to be that way. She’s having this conversation with thewrongperson. My sister needs to have this conversation with her husband.
“You didn’t answer the question, Michaela,” I say. “What’s going to be different?”
Michaela’s shoulders slump and she refuses to look at me, staring off into the distant mountains. She bites down on her bottom lip, eyes beginning to glaze over. “He's my husband."
“Y’know.” I scoff. “Finn was wrong when he said you wereactingstupid.”
“Fuck you, Josh. I’m not—”
"Hey, can you two wrap it up?” Elizabeth says, stepping out the door. “Nick and Nina just got here.”
"We're done,” I say. If my sister wants to run back to David with her tail between her legs that’s her problem, not mine. Nothing I say is going to change her mind. She has to figure this out on her own.
“You okay?” Elizabeth asks, touching my arm when I reach the door.
“She’s being fucking stupid,” I say, shaking my head.
Elizabeth motions inside. “I got this, okay? Just make sure they stay preoccupied and don’t let them know what’s going on.”
“I think you underestimate Nina’s spidey senses.”
Elizabeth rolls her eyes and leans in to place a soft peck on my cheek. “Just try to cool off a little. She needs her big brother, not another dad.”
“Thank you,” I say, keeping my eyes on the road. The car ride home hasn’t been as silent as the one to the wedding. That’s a good sign, right? We’ve at least had small conversations here and there, nothing groundbreaking, but that’s…progress. “For talking to Michaela earlier.”
“Josh.” Elizabeth sighs. “I know you’re just worried about her, but you realize you’re being a little hypocritical, right?”
“Hypocritical?” I scoff. “Elizabeth, she’s been lying to everyone!”
“So have we.” Elizabeth laughs. “Josh, we haven’t been the most honest with everyone either. Getting mad at her for not telling you what’s been going on, kind of makes you a—”
“Hypocrite.” I sigh.
“Look, I get it, but you have to look at it from her perspective. She sees everyone around her with these long-term relationships. You, your parents, Nick and Nina…I’m not surprised she tried to hide it.”
