Page 89 of Fight For Us
Mia wrinkled her nose at me and I swear her skin took on a green tinge. “Do you mind eating those somewhere else? Sorry, I’ve just been a bit nauseated today.”
Crinkling the bag shut, I brought it back to the counter and grabbed her the box of crackers. “Do you want something else? Some ginger ale maybe? I can have Wes run to the store.”
“No, I’ll be okay.” She held up the box of crackers for emphasis. “Have you heard from Mom? She called me yesterday.”
Joy.Talking about our parents was my favorite. Sarcasm intended.
“Not since I updated her on Alex’s leg. She was busy, so we didn’t stay on the phone long. Why, what’s up?”
“Well… don’t hate me, but I kind of let it slip that you married Wes. Before you freak out, she took the news as well as expected.”
“You did what?” I asked. “I was purposely keeping her and Dad out of the loop. They’ll meddle now. I know it.”
“She promised me she wouldn’t, but she mentioned taking a trip down here soon. They’re in the final stages of the divorce, so once that’s done she’s free. Her words.” Mia opened the box and took out a few crackers, stacking them in front of her.
“Let’s hope something comes along to distract her before she plans a trip here,” I said. I needed a longer break before dealing with my mother in person again. As amazing as Wes and his family were, I knew she’d find a way to pick apart their flaws. That was her superpower. Which was the absolute last thingwe needed when our relationship was so fresh and in this weird limbo.
“She had a few things to say about not including her in your wedding plans. I told her it was a spontaneous thing, and I wasn’t involved either, but she still took on that tone. You know the one she uses when she’s hurt but pretending like she’s not.”
I winced. “I know the one. Have you talked to Dad too, or just Mom?”
“Just Mom. You know Dad and I don’t talk unless he needs something from me.” She nibbled the edge of a cracker. Our father was a real ass in general, but especially to Mia. That’s how it’s always been, and us growing up didn’t change much. He may have viewed me as the damaged one but he still loved to parade me around. When it came to Mia, nothing she did was ever good enough.
“Talking about them is bumming me out. God, I’m so happy I moved.” I stood up and stretched my tired arms over my head. Moving boxes and getting used to Krav classes again was kicking my ass. “Want to help me unpack the dishes? I’m good with doing most of the house little by little but leaving the kitchen in boxes will drive me bonkers.”
“Yeah, I think I can handle that. As long as I don’t have to bend or lift much.” I raised a brow her way and she quickly added, “I think I pulled a muscle.”
A few hours later, we all sat around on towels and camping chairs at the beach to watch the sunset. I tugged my wagonthrough the sand, stacked with boxes of pizza and drinks while Alex and Lilly ran beside me.
“Alex, please be careful! I don’t think you should run yet.” He rolled his eyes but they both slowed. It would take a long time before I got over the trauma of his injuries. If I was a nervous mom before, he was in for it now.
Once everyone settled into their spots with their plates of pizza, I leaned into Wes’s chest, watching the people I loved chatting happily. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
He kissed the top of my head. “For what?”
“Being a part of my life,” I said with a genuine smile. If I took a snapshot of my life a year ago, it looked nothing like this. I was lonely, estranged from my sister and wrapped up in my parent’s toxic lives. While I stayed busy enough taking care of Alex, I didn’t have anything that filled my cup as a woman outside of being a mother. It took stepping into this new life to see how much I’d needed that.
“I should be thanking you. You don’t know how much you’ve turned my life around.” He took a bite of his pizza, chewing slowly. “We have one more big obstacle with Regina, and then I hope things will settle down and we can enjoy each other without so much stress.”
We hadn’t had a conversation about the silent changes to our original plan since New Year’s Eve, but hearing him now, I had a feeling this was as real for him as it was for me. Those words felt like he was in it for the long haul.
My chest swelled with warmth, knowing I wasn’t alone in those feelings.
While I was in the middle of waiting on a particularly difficult table, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
“I want my eggs cooked for exactly three minutes. No more and no less,” the woman sitting at table five asked. She had her glasses perched at the tip of her nose while she scrutinized the menu. “And I’d like the whole wheat toast, dry. Lightly toasted. No burned bits or I’ll send it back.”
I forced a smile. “Of course. Can I get you both anything else?”
Her companion held out his empty mug to me without making eye contact and after getting distracted by my phone once again, I grabbed it from his outstretched hand. “Regular or decaf, sir?”
“Regular. Strong. Whole milk.” He closed the menu and thrusted it at me without tearing his gaze from his phone.
“Coming right up,” I said in the sweetest tone I could muster.
Kelly bumped into me on my way to place their order. “I’ve had that couple before. Good luck, Wifey.”
She hadn’t stopped teasing me since Caleb spread the word that we were married. We finally confirmed it to be true abouta week ago and were met with nothing but love from everyone. Teasing, too.
