Maybe I was a little harsh. Maybe I wish I’d explained it all a little more calmly. But do I think anything I said was false? Hell no, not a single word.
However, I just thought these last few days were long. No, it was the six hours of being stuck with them in the car that has sucked. At least while we were at the house, I could keep myself secluded to my room, but in the car, there’s no escaping the tension. Oh, sure, they’re speaking to me today, but it’s only out of necessity. Like when we went to a drive-thru to order lunch, Shane actually had to ask me what I wanted to eat. And Makenna actually had to ask me to hold the stall door shut at that gas station.
I get why they’re pissed at me. Well, kinda. Yeah, I let Makenna have it, but she deserved it. And I did say some pretty mean things about Shane’s brother, but I didn’t lie about anything I said. So, you know what? They can bite me. I know they’re waiting on me to apologize, but that’s just not going to happen. Ever.
There’s a tap on my knee, so I yank my earbuds out and open my eyes. “What?”
“We’re on your street.” Makenna points out the window.
Shane flips on the blinker and slows before pulling into my driveway. “Do you need help getting your suitcase in the house?” Not let me help you. He’s basically telling me to drag it in myself. His mom sure would be proud.
“Nope. I’m good.” I push the door open. “It’s been real fun. Thanks for driving me all the way home instead of kicking me out at the edge of town. Real kind of you.” Okay, so I didn’t have to say all that, but whatever. It is what it is. And they clearly didn’t appreciate it because I manage to wrestle my suitcase only halfway up the sidewalk before they’re speeding away.
My mom flings the front door open. “Hey, birthday girl. Makenna didn’t want to stay and hang out for a bit? Or did you two get enough of each other this week?”
I kiss her on the cheek. “That’s the understatement of the century.”
“Ouch. That doesn’t sound good. You want to talk about it?”
“Oh, it’s not really a big deal.” I shrug. “She asked for the truth, but she didn’t like hearing it. I might’ve been a little too harsh, but Makenna never holds a grudge long. I’m not too worried about it. You know how it is when you spend way too much time with someone. It can’t be puppies and rainbows all the time.”
Mom helps me get my suitcase in the door and drapes an arm over the top of my shoulders. “Honey, you’re not telling me anything I don’t know. Don’t forget I shared a room with my two sisters.”
That’s the truth. I’ve heard some pretty wild stories. My grandma got pregnant twice—the first produced a set of triplet girls and the second produced twin boys. From what I’ve heard, their house was a three ring circus. No one can blame my grandma for being a little nutty these days.
“Thank God I’m an only child.” I look around the living room. “Is Dad still not home?”
“He came in yesterday, but he took my car to get new tires. It’s good to have him home, so some of the manly stuff can finally get done. We didn’t think you’d get home until later this afternoon, so he was trying to get everything done before you got here. What do you want to do for your birthday dinner . . . go out or stay in?”
“Definitely in. Lots of pasta and cake. And we’ll finish off the evening curled up on the couch with a movie.”
Mom laughs, the slightest hint of crow’s feet crinkle at her eyes. “That’s my kind of party. Carbs, carbs topped with sugar, and then followed by an activity to ensure it goes straight to my thighs. It’ll be a sacrifice, but it’s the least I can do for my sweet girl.” She usually eats healthy, but she hops off the wagon every now and then. “Now, on to more important things. You don’t look like you got much sun, but let me see your shoulders.”
I roll my eyes. Why did my mom have to be a dermatologist? “I didn’t get any sun, Mom. I didn’t go out all that much, but when I did, I wore sunscreen and stayed under the umbrella.”
She peeks under my sleeves. “Good girl. Why don’t you get unpacked and rest a while? I’ll even start your laundry for you. Then, when your dad gets home, we’ll hang out and you can tell us what all you did in Gulf Shores.”
Umm, let’s see. This last week, I pretended to read a book while staring at a half-naked man. I went to a club, drank way too much wine, and ground my ass on the same guy. Also, he licked frosting off my finger and mouth before I straddled him and made out with him. Then, he proceeded to tell me he didn’t want to see me anymore and that he didn’t trust me. When my best friend asked me about it, I chewed her out, and she didn’t talk to me for the rest of the week. I don’t there’s anything that happened this last week that my parents would really appreciate hearing.