Page 49

Chapter Forty-Seven

Theodore

I let out a heavy sigh, squeezing Marianne’s hand. We’ve been sitting in the car for nearly ten minutes, trying to get ourselves together to go into the house and break the news to our parents.

It’s been a month since Tobias left. The longest month of my life that has been absolute hell.

The only thing that has made it tolerable is having Marianne’s full support.

We’ve busied ourselves with perfecting our plan, going over every possible scenario and how we will manage it.

It’s also helped having Biscuit with me.

She’s an emotional support dog I didn’t know I’d need.

“We’ve got this, Theo,” Marianne says. “We’re going to be okay.”

“Are we?”

“Yes. And if all goes to hell, we have a back-up plan.”

I groan, my head hitting the seat. “I really don’t want to live with Asher and Morgan. ”

“Better than the street.”

I suppose it is. I’d live in a trash can if it meant getting Tobias back.

Move over, Oscar.

I say, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they were just like, ‘Oh, Marianne and Theo, it’s okay. We love you no matter what. Your happiness is so much more important than business.’”

Sneaking a glance at Marianne, I see her holding in laughter, but that doesn’t last long. It bursts out of her, and I can’t help but join. The impression of my mother was a little ridiculous.

Marianne shifts in her seat, turning to face me, and takes both of my hands.

“Remember why we’re doing this,” she says firmly. “Once this is done, you can get Tobias back.”

“You don’t know that.”

I wish it were so simple, but I know that it won't be. And I don't deserve easy. The least I can do is fight for him after what I did. Even fighting for the rest of my life wouldn't equate to what I deserve.

“I’m choosing to believe that true love trumps everything, because life wouldn’t be worth it otherwise.”

“I hope you’re right,” I mutter.

She leans in to kiss me on the cheek and then hugs me.

“Love you, Theo. You’re still my best friend.”

“Love you too, Marianne.”

We’ve all finished dinner and dessert, and we’re moving into the living room to have coffee.

Everyone has had their time gushing over baby Leslie, who looks so different from the photos I first saw of her.

She’s an adorable little baby with chubby cheeks and wild blonde hair.

Our families having dinner together isn’t an uncommon thing, and I think if Marianne and Betty had younger sisters, my brothers would have been forced to marry them.

Betty and Lawrence are aware of what’s going on tonight.

Marianne let them know well ahead of time, and they support us fully.

Marianne’s parents do seem to be the more reasonable ones, so I guess it’s easy for her sister to understand the situation.

My brothers are going to think I’m a fool but will be grateful that I fucked up so badly so they can take over the family business.

Honestly? They can have it. I don’t care about it.

I never have. I just want a loving family who accepts me for who I am.

I don’t care about the money. At least, not all of it.

Maybe 100k a year so I can live comfortably…

Everyone is chatting quietly while Gerta pours coffee and gets cream or milk or whatever it is they’re asking for. I decline, not needing caffeine that’ll put me more on edge. I keep shooting Marianne glances, and I can’t believe she’s as calm as she is. How isn’t she freaking out? I’m sweating .

After a few moments, once Gerta is gone, Marianne gives me the signal that she’s ready. She wipes her nose, but I shake my head and get up to go to the bathroom. I think I’m going to pass out. I can’t do this. Why did I think I could do this?

I splash water on my face and on the back of my neck, then stare at myself in the mirror. The bags under my eyes are huge, and I need some sun.

“You got this, Theo. You’ve got this. You’re doing it for Tobias.”

For Tobias. I’m doing it for him. For us. For the life that we are going to have together. Once this is done, I can move forward. One thing at a time.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

It’s now or never. With my chin held high, I go back into the living room.

Marianne and Betty are both watching me.

Betty looks slightly concerned while Marianne looks…

nervous. Great . She was the rock here. She was the one holding me down and stopping me from freaking out.

Now I have nothing. I give a small tilt of my head, letting her know I’m ready.

She gets up, smoothing down her pretty blue dress and taking my hand. We stand in the center of where the couches are placed, so we can see everyone and they can see us.

I clear my throat. “Everyone,” I say, waving my free hand. “Hey, hi.” I smile as everyone starts looking at me, the room getting quiet. “Hi,” I repeat. “Uh, Marianne and I have an announcement.” I try and fail at keeping my voice chipper. I sound like a boy going through puberty .

“Is everyone okay?” my mother asks, her hand on her chest, concern in her eyes.

“Oh yes,” Marianne says with a nod. She looks at me. “Everything is perfect.”

I stare at the crowd of people, sweat dripping down my neck.

Speaking in front of a crowd is something I’ve done plenty of times.

I’ve taken charge of meetings for our entire company.

I’ve given lectures, trainings, all sorts of things.

Public speaking isn’t the issue. Yet, standing here in this room full of ten people and a baby feels like the end of the world.

It also sounds like the start of a bad joke, which my life has turned into, so I guess it’s fitting.

I feel Marianne squeezing my hand, but it isn’t enough to ground me this time.

I’m panicking. My head is fuzzy, and my vision is going dark.

I feel like I can’t breathe. Maybe if I have a heart attack, my family will take pity on me and not flip out about the news.

The last time I felt this much panic was the night Tobias left.

You’re doing this for Tobias , I remind myself. For him.

“So, Theo and I have been thinking,” Marianne begins, giving me a wide-eyed look.

I blink a few times, meeting the gaze of my concerned parents and siblings.

“Yes,” I add. “We have been thinking. And have been discussing some things.”

“We have come to a decision. Together . ”

“Together,” I say with a firm head nod. “It’s a mutual decision. We both agreed on this.”

“It’s as much my idea as it is Theo’s, and it would mean more than anything to us if you all could give us your support.”

“We would,” I add, feeling a little better now that Marianne and I seem to be on the same page. Though, I do realize we are going around in circles.

Glancing at her, for the last bit of courage that I need, I turn to face everyone, seeing a supportive look from Betty. And with that, I say, “Marianne and I are calling off the wedding.”

That’s when all hell breaks loose.

My mother lets out a sound that could rival a dying cat while my father jumps to his feet. “You’re what ?” he bellows.

There’s so much chatter and crying that I can’t think straight. Marianne holds onto my hand for dear life. I don’t think the jaws of life could pull us apart. I can’t tell if she’s scared or just trying to keep me from falling apart.

“Did he put you up to this?” my father shouts at Marianne.

“Don’t yell at her,” I say, pulling her closer to me.

That’s when I notice her parents are at her side, her mother with tears in her eyes and her father furious.

“Marianne, what is the meaning of this?” Vern asks as her mother starts to sob. “What have you done, Channing?”

“Me?” my father shouts in response to Vern’s accusation.

My brothers are laughing, muttering to one another, and I think my head is going to explode. My mother is still wailing like someone died, and Vern and my father are redder than tomatoes.

“Can everyone just stop?” I say, and when the shouting and laughing and crying gets louder, I decide to scream. “Everyone, shut up!” I yell, and it works this time. The chatter stops. I put my arm around Marianne’s shoulders.

“This is ridiculous,” I spit out. “Do you see yourselves? You’re acting like the world is ending all because we’re calling off a wedding.

Our wedding, by the way. If we don’t want to get married, we shouldn’t have to.

” Every set of eyes in the room go wide.

Even Marianne’s. Hell, maybe mine are, too.

I don’t talk to my family like this. I’ve never even thought of speaking to them this way.

“We deserve to be happy and if that means it isn’t together, then that’s what we’re doing.

Now, we’re sorry if this upsets you, but the decision is final. ”

“We agreed together, Mom and Dad,” Marianne says in a tiny voice, and I don’t know if she’s talking to her parents or mine. Maybe both.

“This is an outrage!” my father shouts.

My mother found a tissue box somewhere and is patting at her nose as more tears pour down her face.

Marianne gives me a sad smile and I shake my head, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“It’ll be okay,” she says, just before her parents usher her away.

“Marianne,” I call, taking a step toward her .

“It’s okay! Promise, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow,” she calls out over her shoulder. Betty is packing her things, while Lawrence gets the baby in the carrier.

Fuck. This is crazy. It’s fucking ridiculous. Why are they all acting like this? It isn't the end of the world.

“How could you do this to us?” my father shouts in my face.

“I didn’t do anything,” I say, stepping back. I don’t think he’ll hit me, but he sure looks like he wants to.

“You’ve ruined everything!”

“I’ve ruined everything? Do you have any idea what it’s like to live with you as a father?” I growl.

I realize my mistake the moment the words leave my lips. His eyes go wide, mouth falling open.

“You ungrateful little shit,” he hisses. “I have given you everything!”

“I don’t care about that shit,” I respond. “I don’t care about your money, the house, the car, the business! None of it makes me happy.”

My mother sobs even louder, and Betty and Lawrence escape while they can.

“You are destroying your family!” my father screams.

“What about what I want?” I call back, huffing out a humorless laugh. “What about me? Don’t you care about me being happy?”

“Marianne is a good woman!” my mother cries. “She is good! ”

“I don’t even like women!” I bark.

That gets everyone to shut up. My heart is pounding, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

One second goes by.

Two. Three. Four.

No one says anything. I think it’s time to go.

I storm past my father, yank my coat from the rack and hurry out the door. It’s best I get out of here while I can. So I get into my car and go home, hoping I’ll be safe from them for at least the night. I’ll pack my things in the morning and let Asher know that I have to go there.

This is the right choice.

I’m doing this for him.