Page 66 of Husband to Go

“I went to go see my mom because I wanted to see how she was doing after the breakup, and our conversation devolved into her yelling at me about how I steal the attention of all the men in her life. Or something like that,” I add morosely.

“Oh, baby,” Jane sympathizes. “I was hoping you’d never have to hear your mom talking like that.”

I stare at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve always been someone your mom likes to come to with her insane problems, and she would tell me things like that all the time. She’d suspect co-workers or even the lunch lady of stealing attention from her. It was crazy. I did my best to keep you shielded from all of that, and I really hoped Veronica would come to her senses, but it sounds like she hasn’t.”

My head drops in my hands.

“The problem, Aunt Jane, is that Veronica was right about some of it.”

My aunt pats my back.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” she says comfortingly. “My sister is off her rocker most days.”

“But it’s true,” I tell her with more emphasis to my voice. “I slept with Tanner,” I say through my fingers. “And I didn’t just sleep with him. I fell in love with him, like a total dummy.”

Jane doesn’t say anything; her hand just continues to rub the back of my shoulder. I pick up my head and look at my aunt.

“Did you hear me?”

“I heard you. I’m just not surprised, not really.”

I jerk back with shock. What? How can that be possible? Did everyone think Tanner and I were sleeping together? I mean, we were, but I thought the two of us were doing a better job of hiding it.

Jane heaves a sigh.

“Kylie, it wasn’t totally obvious,” she reassures me. “I could just tell that you were different. You seemed sunnier at times, but also sadder. And Tanner, oh my goodness, the change in him was palpable. He’d always been very closed off and kind of surly, but then he became different. Happier, maybe?”

I stunned. Somehow, I was so wrapped up in my own world that I didn’t notice the others around me. Evidently, people were watching.

Jane sighs again, looking at my face.

“I’m guessing Veronica found out?”

I nod. Jane picks up my chin, inspecting my face. “Did she hurt you?”

“It was just a slap. No biggie.”

“Still, she shouldn’t have done that,” my aunt says in a low tone. “That’s no way to treat your only child.”

Frankly, the slap doesn’t mean anything to me anymore because it’s Tanner that I care about. Veronica is a lost cause because she’s warped inside, and nothing will ever change her.

“What do I do Auntie Jane? I broke up with Tanner because I felt so guilty about the whole affair, but then after talking to my mom, I’m starting to think I made the wrong choice.”

Jane looks at me thoughtfully.

“Do you want to be with him, sweetheart?”

I gulp.

“I don’t know. There are so many things that could go wrong. We’re such different people, and the way we met is so weird, and it’s all a big mess. Could a relationship like ours even survive?”

Jane looks thoughtful.

“Let me re-frame my question. Do you love Tanner?”