Page 109 of Bragg's Love

Not a word when I had to skip Junior Prom at the last minute because Mom begged me to stay home.

Harmony shrugs. “It’s Winter Falls.”

My eyes widen. “Everyone knows?”

All this time, everyone has known? Is everyone making fun of me behind my back? Calling me names? Feeling pity for me?

Harmony grasps my free hand. “Not everyone knows but we grew up with you.”

“How often did you bail on plans we had because you had to take care of your mom?” Moon asks.

Okay. Wow. They really do know. Why didn’t they say anything? Probably the same reason we didn’t confront Moon about pushing our friendships away. They think I’m stubborn. No one’s as stubborn as Moon, but it’s neither here nor there. They know. End of story. Or, rather, a start of another one.

“Then, all of you understand.”

At least I don’t have to explain why I can’t be in a relationship tonight. Another small victory. I’m racking them up today. Never mind I’ve had the worst defeat in my life tonight as well. I’m only concerned with the bright side of things from now on.

“Understand what?” Soleil asks.

“Why I can’t have a relationship.”

“Are you saying I’m going to abandon my child?” Moon asks.

Ashlyn gasps. “You’re pregnant?”

“Calm down, Ashlyn Bashlyn, it’s a theoretical question.”

While Ashlyn huffs, Moon lifts an eyebrow in my direction, “Well? You think I’ll abandon my as yet not conceived child?”

“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”

“If I’m not going to end up like my mom, why would you?”

Moon’s parents abandoned her when she was sixteen. They took off on vacation and never came back.

Damn it. I don’t approve of the parallel she’s drawing between our situations. How can I claim I’m turning into my mother if she’s not turning into hers? Stupid freaking logic.

“Because …” I start but trail off when I realize I don’t have a good reason. Except fear. Maybe I am a coward sissy chicken after all.

Soleil pats my hand. “Good. Since you now know you won’t become your mom, let’s discuss how you’re going to get Miller back.”

I yank my hand away and cross my arms over my chest. “Maybe I don’t want him back.”

What does she think? She says I won’t end up like my mom and suddenly I’m all about rainbows and butterflies and unicorns farting skittles? I need time to digest the revelation of what a yellow-bellied chicken I am.

“And maybe I’m not willing to give up my husband for more of this cheese,” Ashlyn says. When everyone stares at her, she shrugs. “What? Have you tried it? It melts in your mouth. Literally.”

No one responds to her. What response is there?

Soleil pats my thigh. “Think on it.”

“If I promise to think about getting back with Miller, can we drop the subject?”

“Only if you also promise to come to us when it’s grand gesture time,” Ashlyn says around another bite of cheese.

“What if I don’t want to do a grand gesture?”

Harmony cracks up. “Oh, we’re doing a grand gesture.”

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