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“Lottie, I love you but I ain’t tryna hear that right now.”

My sister looked sad and it tugged at my heart. Just not enough to make me disrespect myself and give in. I was over being my father’s verbal punching bag.

And now he had my mother blowing up my phone in his defense, pleading me to have a conversation that never led anywhere but hell.

From the way they acted, I was the prodigal son when the only thing I’d done was live life on my terms.

“Listen, unless one of them is on their deathbed, I’ll see them at your vow renewal next month.”

Lottie looked like she wanted to say more but nodded instead, finally sliding the bag across the counter to me. “That’s fair.”

“Before I forget, I need to change my RSVP for your reception. I’m bringing someone.”

“Who? The neighbor?”

“Her name is True. And yea.”If she says yes, I didn’t add. It was bold to ask for a plus one when I hadn’t confirmed anything, but the cut off for RSVPs was tomorrow.

Her eyes showed me every question her mouth wasn’t asking and I was happy when all she said was, “I can’t wait to meet her.”

Four hours later, I stood on the sidewalk watching True walk toward me with an easy smile and her laptop clutched to her chest.

Opening the door for her, I helped her climb in and asked, “You had a good day, Red?”

She let out a sigh and reached for her seatbelt once all her stuff was on the floor in front of her. “The best I’ve had in a while.”

Pride tried to take root in the center of my chest knowing I’d introduced her to something that put that pep in her step.

True took the aux and put on Joe while my mind replayed everything I talked about with my sister.

She wanted me to be cautious when everything in me told me to trust my gut for once and not overthink this.

I watched her from the corner of my eye, smirking at the way she mouthed the lyrics and got lost in her own world.

God, she was pretty.

Ask her to the reception and get your answer.

I ran through that mental pep talk twice before I made up my mind to just do it. I went to lower the stereo’s volume, but before I could say anything, True got a message on CarPlay and my heart sank to my fucking ass.

Greyson:

Noah’s sister is having a reception for her vow renewal next month, you want to go with me?

She grabbed her phone and read over the message again before looking at me.

“Your sister is renewing her vows?”

“Uh, yea.” I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my hand so tense it sent pain up my forearm.

“Is it weird if I say yes?”

My ears were ringing. Or I was going deaf. Why else did it sound like she was talking to me through a funnel with alarm bells ringing in the distance?

Swallowing hard, I tried to force out a casual tone. “Why would it be weird?”

“I don’t know.”

I could feel her eyes on the side of my face again and I still wasn’t looking in her direction. I couldn’t.