“You want an autobiographical piece from me?” Shock rings in my words, lacing them, holding them hostage. Clarissa nods, a smile that’s been absent in her expression since I first walked into her office for my interview appears. “Thank you. Yes, I can do it.” I don’t know how, but I’ll figure out a way. Nothing is going to stand in my way of finally having the career I’ve worked so hard for.
“Good. Then let me know when you’re leaving on your mini vacation and when you’re likely to return, and I’ll make plans for when you’re back.” She turns to her laptop, indicating my time in her office is over, and for the first time, I don’t feel as if she’s being rude or dismissive. I feel like I’ve just been given a gift.
An opportunity to have my dream come true.
As soon as I step into my childhood home, the pain that forced me to leave seems to swirl around me from every corner of the house. The living room and kitchen are separated by a thick wall, and the upstairs leads to three bedrooms and a family bathroom. It’s not big; it’s what real estate agents would call cozy.
“Mom? Dad?” The moment I call out to them, I want to cringe. For some reason, I’ve always felt like nothing more than a hindrance to them. Their focus had always been on Victoria.
“Vi?” Mom’s voice filters through the kitchen, so I make my way toward it. I find her at the stove. It’s early, and I realize Dad must still be upstairs getting ready for work. His car is probably parked in the garage.
“Hi, Mom,” I greet when she turns to look at me, her eyes wide with surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she gasps, leaving the pan of fried eggs on the stovetop to hug me. The action jars me. She’s never been an affectionate woman, and this is completely new territory for us. Yes, she was attentive, making sure I was properly dressed, that my hair had been styled, and I didn’t make a spectacle of myself with dirty shoes, but hugs weren’t something she ever gave.
“I wanted to see Vicki,” I reply, and she stiffens, stepping back to regard me. Her eyes narrow as she takes me in.
“Why? You’re not canceling on her wedding? Are you?” The accusation in her tone is cold, biting, and I can’t help but shiver. The emotion from seconds ago is gone. The reason? Because I might upset my sister.
“No, Mom,” I answer. “I’m just here to talk to her. I’m planning on attending her wedding, and the reception, and I’ll be the dutiful sister.”
“There’s no need for sarcasm, Vi,” my mother chastises as usual. I’m always in trouble with the way I word things. Apparently, I have a natural flair for being a sarcastic bitch, but that’s okay. I no longer allow it to bother me.
“There’s my little girl.” Dad’s voice is filled with happiness when he enters the kitchen, pulling me in for a bear hug, and I’m confused at who these people are suddenly hugging.
“Hi, Dad.” Even though I’m an adult, he still calls me his little girl. When my mother calls to talk to me, he’ll always shout in the background, "Say hello to my little girl." “I’ve come to see Vickie,” I inform him, knowing he won’t have as much issue with it as my mother.
“That’s good you’re seeing her. She’s at the apartment. Do you have the address?” He pulls out his phone when I shake my head and taps something into the screen. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I find my father has sent me the details.
“Thanks, Dad. I wanted to see you both before heading to her.” I want to run out of the house and make a beeline for Victoria’s place, but I would feel bad just racing in and out without sitting down with my parents.
“Why don’t you have breakfast and a coffee before bothering her?” Mom asks, so I nod. Instead of fighting this, I should just play the good daughter before they both disown me for telling my sister what a bitch she’s been all our lives.
27
Colton
Providence. Not a bad place. My best friend, Simon, struck it lucky. With his wife, Bridget, and the loving home they have, he’s definitely settled into the suburban life with the twins and Bridget’s son.
“So, are you going to tell me what you did to the woman who has thrown you out on your arse?” he questions, watching me over the rim of the beer bottle he’s holding. We’re sitting on the porch looking out over the garden where the kids are playing under the cover of a large tent. Even though it’s freezing, they love being outdoors.
“My job got in the way of things. She wanted us to put space between us because she’s scared of falling for someone who has to live a fake life,” I respond, but my focus is on the kids instead of Simon’s questioning gaze. I knew coming here would clear my head. He’s my best friend, the only person I can trust with the bollocks going on in my life.
“And you walked out?”
“She told me to leave,” I retort, gritting my teeth in frustration, but it’s not at him. It’s at myself. I should’ve fought harder, but the resolute look in Violet’s eyes confirmed she wasn’t going to let me stay. She’s stubborn.
“Fair enough,” Simon mumbles. “But you have to remember, if you were in the same position, you’d be going mental,” he counsels, which is true. I would’ve definitely lost my shit with the fact that she would have to play happy homes with someone else.
“Fuck sake,” I grumble under my breath. “I don’t know what to do. If I go back to see her, she’s only going to send me packing again.”
“You have to find a way to prove to her that she’s the only one for you. How much do you need this show?” Simon asks the question I’ve been pondering since I walked out of Violet’s apartment. Since she told me to leave, to finish the show and then maybe she’ll think about giving me a second chance, I’ve been in two minds, struggling with the decision I should’ve made easily.
“I don’t necessarily need it,” I remark. “It’s some extra money, but I have savings, and my shoots are skyrocketing. I have three next week alone.”
“Then you need to decide if this girl is worth it. If she is, step away from the show, let them sign on someone new, someone else, and you focus on your relationship. If you don’t, you could lose her for good, mate.”
“When did you get so fucking wise?” I chuckle, looking over at Simon, who has grown up over the years we haven’t seen each other.
Simon shakes his head. “When I met Bridget, and those little ones came along,” he explains. “I didn’t think I’d be great at being a dad.” There’s a faraway look in his eyes, and I’m sure there are memories of his past that linger. “But they taught me how to love unconditionally, and also, they showed me just how important family is. If you find something good in your life, don’t let it go.”
“God, you sound just like my ma,” I jest. “She used to say the exact same thing.” I swig my beer, the bubbles bursting on my tongue as I watch the kids squealing as they play. “It must be nice not having a care in the world. No fucking responsibilities, no heartache,” I mumble, but I can feel Simon’s stare on me.