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Zoe shrugs. “Ooh, I love this song.” She grabs my hand and tries to pull me into a little dance, but I’m not in the mood.
“I think I need some water. I’m feeling a little…tipsy.”
“You haven’t had much to drink all night,” Aurora comments. “How can you feel tipsy from three sips?”
I smile. “I downed them when I first got here. You missed it.” I giggle, but it feels forced. I head to the kitchen and grab my water, avoiding Ethan who is talking to someone his age.
That’s when Aurora corners me when I’m standing infront of the fridge. “So, what’s up with you and my dad? Why are you avoiding each other?”
I nearly drop my glass of water. “No, just…hanging out with Zoe, and everyone.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Come on, Madison. Be honest. I know what happened between you two. If it’s really over, why are you avoiding him?”
“It was…awkward. I’m not going to talk to him now, after what…happened.” I’m lying, and my brain is screaming at me to stop. But I can’t. Not now.
I let out a breath as she walks away, my heart racing.
Aurora finally claps her hands and gets everyone’s attention, and we sit in the living room to play her silly Dirty Santa game. Ethan is two seats away from me which is perfect because I’m not forced to make a lot of eye contact.
“Aw, that’s cute!” Stella croons when I open a six-pack of novelty socks.
I smile, feeling a little glow of happiness. They are cute, and I’m just starting to get into the game now. But then, I look up and catch Ethan watching me. My happiness is yanked away just that quickly. I can’t be excited about socks. I have so much I need to deal with. It feels stupid.
When the game is over, I quickly make my excuses, talking about how the dogs need me at home.
“You haven’t even heard who won the most decorative Christmas outfit yet,” Aurora pouts.
“I’m sorry. The dogs need me.” I rush out of her party feeling like the worst best friend in the world.
I just reach my car when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn, sure it’s Zoe. She’s always the one who is looking out for each of us.
But it’s not. It’s Ethan.
“Madison.”
I shake my head, turn, and walk faster. But Ethan catches me when I open my driver’s side drawer. “Let’s talk. Can we?”
“Not here, Ethan. Anyone could come out. I don’t want them to see us.” I feel close to tears in my desperation to get rid of him. I’m not sure why I suddenly feel so emotional.
“At my house?”
I pause for a second, then nod. “I’ll see you there.”
41
ETHAN
I go backinside the party. I can’t disappear exactly when Madison does. It wouldn’t take a genius to put together the fact that we still have something going if I’m making moves like that.
So, I listen as my daughter announces that she received the most votes. Everyone claps politely, but her announcement is like permission for others to leave. Her closest friends stay, all except for Madison, but a couple of other people start to head out the door.
I find Aurora and hug her. She’s stiff in my arms, and I can tell all is not forgiven. “It was a great party. I enjoyed your punch.”
She smiles, but it’s hard to tell if she’s harboring resentment. We haven’t talked since she came into my house and started making accusations. I’ve texted her a few times, but she hasn’t responded. I did receive an invitation in the mail for the party though. Hence why I came.
“Merry Christmas. Will I see you on Christmas or Christmas Eve for a special dinner? One of those turkey dinners we used to?—”
“I don’t know, Dad. Maybe.”