Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“Oh, God. Quinn, why?” My mom asks, covering her face. “What is wrong with my family?”
“You love it when we bang.”
“Ewe, Dad!” The twins yell at the same time.
I’m trying not to cackle, but this shit is funny. My dad finds this hilarious while my mom is mortified.
“I’m afraid to open mine,” Liam says.
“I’m not,” JD adds and then looks at me. “I have one, right?”
I nod.
“Oh, God,” Jenna says.
“You can call me God later, sweet lips.”
“Again, why is this my family?” Mom asks as she throws her arms up in the air.
Liam and JD race to see who can open their gift first.
“Yes!” Liam fist pumps and turns his T-shirt around for everyone to see. “Sexy Rock Gramps. I love it, Quinn. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
JD holds his up. “Tweeting Uncle,” he says and then frowns. “It’s called X now and because I don’t pay for the stupid check mark no one pays attention to me.”
“That’s okay, Daddy. Everyone is on TikTok now.”
“I’ll get on there,” he says as if resigned. We get it. No one wants another social media app.
“These presents are great,” Noah says as he looks at the matte border. “I’ll do their footprints when we get home.”
I clear my throat, so all eyes are on me. “I know everyone’s wondering about Nola’s absence and I want to thank you for not peppering me with questions about her whereabouts.” I pause and gather myself. “We broke up and it’s permanent. I ask that if she reaches out to you, you ignore her. She’s made some choices that I’m not happy with, but it’s her life.”
“Oh, Quinn,” my mom says softly.
I hold my hand up. “I’m okay. Believe me, everything is fine.”
Elle eyes me. “About time.”
“Wh-what?”
“I’ve never liked her. I thought she was a stage five clinger and only with you for the benefits. I know you paid for her schooling, put her name on the house, and bought her a car, so I’ll have our attorney reach out about a separation agreement.”
“Elle!” Mom is surprised by her outburst.
“I’m looking out for my brother, his investment, and his band,” Elle says matter-of-factly. “He’s my priority. Not Nola’s feelings.”
“Thanks,” I say, hoping to assuage the situation. “The tuition was a gift, but I want her off the house for sure. I plan to sell it, and she won’t get any of the proceeds.”
“I’m on it,” Elle says.
“Great, now that the drama is over, let’s get back to the pressies!” JD exclaims.
And just like that, my family knows I’m single.
There isn’t a doubt in my mind that once everyone leaves and we’re sitting by the fire, my parents will ask me more questions. I’ll tell them what she did, how I found out, and what I did with her ring. I start preparing myself for my mom’s inevitable reaction of “Oh, Quinn!” when she finds out.
TWENTY-FOUR
My phone buzzes with a text.
Justine Floyd
Hope your Christmas was amazing. Free to video chat?
I slip away from the chaos of Christmas cheer and head downstairs to the studio where I know no one will bother me. My body feels the weight of the surprising revelation that apparently none of my family liked Nola, and I’m worried they won’t like Justine. As soon as I have the thought, I know it’s bullshit. Everyone already loves Justine.
It’s hard not to.
But they may not love it if I’m with her.
After a few rings, Justine’s face fills my screen, her hair falling loose. When the tour started, her hair was short, maybe below her chin, and now it’s almost to her shoulders. Wherever she is—either her apartment or Keane’s house—there’s a soft glow of Christmas lights twinkling behind her, making it look like she sparkles.
“Merry Christmas,” she says, smiling. “You look exhausted.”
I laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Family will do that to you. Especially when there are five babies involved.”
“Five incredibly cute babies,” Justine corrects. “That picture you sent of you holding Juniper—I might have saved it.”
“You did not,” I tease, but I feel a warmth spread through my chest.
“I did. It was sweet.” She adjusts her position, pulling a blanket around her shoulders. “So, how was the big James-Westbury Christmas extravaganza?”
“Chaos. Absolute chaos,” I say, but I’m smiling. “JD nearly woke all the babies when he arrived, Elle showed up with the twins when no one expected them, and Paige got a car for Christmas.”
“A car? Nice.”
“With conditions,” I add, mimicking Liam’s serious tone.
Justine laughs, the sound filling my quiet room. “Of course. How are you doing with . . . everything else?”
I know exactly what she’s asking. “I told them about Nola.”
“How’d that go?”
“Turns out, my family is full of actors. Apparently, no one liked her.” I shake my head. “Elle practically high-fived me.”
“Yikes,” Justine says, but there’s a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.