Page 58 of Feel It All

“Well, it’s the summer festival, why wouldn’t I be here?” Her tone has shifted from judgmental to “you idiot.” “Plus, when I saw how brazen you were acting, I had to say something.”

I’m taken back a little; surely this isn’t how she wants to act right now, it was just a kiss. “Mom—”

“You’re right, sorry, Ms. Taylor. I’m Winry, it’s nice to meet you,” Winry cuts me off and stands to shake her hand.

“Alice Taylor, but Ms. Taylor works fine.” Mom does accept her hand but barely spares Winry a glance. “Graham, are you going to stand to greet your mother?”

I’m tempted to tell her no until she changes her attitude, but I can see the pleading on Winry’s face. She wants this to go well, so I’d better not make it worse. I stand and give Mom a quick hug.

“Better. Are you having a nice time?” She directs the question to me.

“Yes, we are. Remember I told you it was Winry’s birthday today? We were about to head to the carnival to meet some friends.” I wrap my arm around Win’s shoulder, pulling her closer to me. I give mom my best ‘cut it out’ look.

“Well, I’d best leave y’all to it. I will see you tomorrow for brunch.” She finally turns to look at Winry, “Do try to keep the PDA to a minimum. Happy birthday.” Mom smiles like she wasn’t just extremely rude and walks away.

“Um, that didn’t go well,” Winry says flatly.

No, it sure didn’t. Why was my mom acting that way? I figured she would be over the moon that I finally found a girl that makes me happy.

“I’m sorry, Winry, I don’t know why she was being that way.” The smile that has been plastered to Win’s face all day is now gone. No, no. Not today. I place my hands on top of her shoulders. “Hey, please don’t let this ruin your day, buttercup. I don’t know what was wrong with her but I am not about to let this ruin your birthday.”

She gives me a lopsided smile, “You’re right, tomorrow will go better.”

“Yes, it will.” I will make fucking sure of it. “Come on, let’s walk over to the carnival. I’ll even let you win at some games,” I tease.

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, babe.” Winry playfully shoves me. There’s my girl.

I hold her hand in mine and study her as we walk. She is quiet but doesn’t seem outright upset. I wish I could read her mind. Or if I am wishing for things, I would wish my mother didn’t just act like she did.

“Win, you all right?”

“Hmm…” She jerks her head to me like I just pulled her out of a deep thought. “Yeah, I’m good. Sorry, I got pulled into a daze.” A fake smile crosses her face.

I stop on the sidewalk and other people move around us. I don’t know what to do next really. It doesn’t feel like telling her not to worry about it will work. I mean, it bothered me when her dad talked to me at the cookout, so I would imagine that how my mom acted will affect her too. Thankfully, my saving grace messages me that they are here. Nothing cheers Winry up like her sisters do.

“Hey, Wyla just messaged that they are parking. I told them we would meet them by the entrance.”

A real smile crosses her face this time. “Great, let’s go.”

I spot Owen and the girls at the entrance first, but when the girls spot us, it’s a mixture of girlie screams, jumping, and hugging.

“Happy birthday,” the girls chorus together.

“Thank you, I’m so glad you guys are here,” Winry says and goes in for another group hug. Owen and I just stand back and watch them.

“All right, don’t suffocate her.” I pull Winry out of their death grip hug. “What do you want to do first, Win? Play some games or ride some rides?”

“Rides first, then funnel cake, then I kick your ass in some games.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I kiss her nose. “Let’s go.”

We buy our wristbands and head for the first ride we see. There’s not a lot of them, just your usual teacups, Ferris wheel, and stuff. We ride rides for the next two hours. We did have to take a break halfway in because somehow Waverley and Owen got paired in the same teacup. Naturally, he spun theirs too fast, making her sick.

Next, we chow down some funnel cakes. Jace, Mary, and Sage catch up with us as we finish. Mary joins in their girl group immediately, like she has always been there. We start on the games next, and the girls kill all of us. It’s brutal. I don’t think Jace, Owen, or I won a single game.

I stand back watching Winry kick Owen’s ass at a ring toss game. Her smile is full, and her head falls back in laughter. It’s the best thing in the world. I am completely enthralled by her.

Winry makes the last ring and pumps her arms in the air in victory, while Owen hangs his head. Winry comes bouncing over to me. “Did you see me? I kicked his ass.”

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