Page 190 of Dear #47, You're the Worst
Her mother reaches us first, all fake smiles and calculated charm.
“Juliet.” She air-kisses her daughter’s cheek. “So lovely to see you, darling. And Hunter, right?”
The way she says it makes it sound like a disease.
I extend my hand. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Monroe.”
She ignores my outstretched hand completely, looking me up and down like I’m a stain on an otherwise pristine carpet.
“You can call her Melissa.” Her dad steps in and shakes my hand. “Tom Monroe. Good game last week.”
“Thanks. The team worked really hard.”
Juliet’s mother examines the engagement ring on Juliet’s finger with clinical detachment.
“What a wild choice of ring.” She sighs, as if I’m not standing right here. “At least he plays the doting fiancé well.”
Juliet stiffens beside me. I can practically feel her retreating into herself.
I can’t help it. The words come out before I can stop them.
“I love your daughter,” I say evenly, looking directly at her mother.
Both parents blink in surprise. Her mother’s smile goes brittle at the edges.
“How sweet,” she says, like I just told her the weather forecast.
When her mother moves, I move with her, sidestepping. “No, I think we should talk. I’ve watched Juliet tiptoe around and try to pacify you for months now. God knows what a lifetime of being told that you’re not good enough has been like. Hellish, probably.”
“Hux.” Juliet tugs on my arm. She hisses, “This is not the time or the place.”
“I’m sorry, Juliet. But we need to hash this out here and now.”
Melissa’s gaze darts around. She’s very aware of the gala attendees swirling around us. “Can we go somewhere more private?”
“No. What I have to say to you won’t take long.” Juliet has stopped tugging at my hand. Now her gaze is just downcast, which makes my heart twist in my chest.
Her mother huffs. “Well? Go on, then.”
“You raised a daughter who is strong. Rigid, but I can see now that she got that from you. She’s principled, fast on her feet, and smart as a whip. She’s in PR, which I get that you don’t love. And she chose me as a partner. I agree with you. I’m not nearly good enough for her.”
Her mom, her dad, and Juliet all look at me with surprise. I guess that’s not what they expected a 6’6” hockey player with anger issues to say. I press on.
“But I’m devoted to her. I’ll do anything for her. Juliet’s living her life, maybe not exactly the way you had planned. But she’s found something that she’s good at. I mean, reallyfantastic. And she’s got me for whenever life throws her curveballs. I’ll always have her back.”
Melissa’s eyes soften. She looks at Tom, her lips pursing. He clears his throat.
“I’m glad that you two found each other. You seem well suited,” he acknowledges.
“We are,” Juliet agrees, finding her voice. She looks up at me. “We’re very much in love. We’re going to get married and have children and live a blessed life. I want you both to be a part of that. I want you to walk me down the aisle, Dad. Mom, I want you to be a grandmother.”
She gets emotional, clinging to my side. And I love that I get to be the one that stands up for her. All of my life, I’ve been a chainsaw, a battle axe, a grenade. But now I get to be her place of shelter. I’ve never been so fucking ready to go to battle for anyone.
“She won’t get to see either of those things happen unless you give her your blessing. I think you love your daughter in your own way. But you’re hurting her. I won’t stand around and watch her lie down and take it.”
“I never meant to hurt you, darling.” Her mom presses her knuckles against her lips, distressed. “You’re my only daughter. My pride and joy. I’m sorry if I made you feel… less.”
Her dad chimes in. “We love you, Juliet. I hope we’ve never made you doubt that.”
