Page 78 of The Jellybean Dilemma

I took advantage of the distraction to perch on the arm of the chair next to Avery. I kept my voice low while Gina and Liam continued to bicker, at each other’s throats as usual. “So, the picture Kevin sent on New Year’s Eve…” I sighed. “Avery, it was of him and your mom. I wanted to be the one to tell you. I’m so sorry! He’s such an asshole.”

To my surprise, she burst out laughing.

“What?”

“Oh, Rhonda, no, it’s just—” She laughed again, flopping back in the chair. “That’s too funny.” Sitting up straight, she grinned at me. “I got word this morning that Mother is finally divorcing my dad. I’ll have full medical power of attorney over him, and I can get him the care he deserves, all because she met some young hotshot. She wouldn’t tell me his name, though.” She sobered. “I’m sorry he sent you that picture, but it’s the best possible thing that could’ve happened for my dad.”

I blinked in stunned silence.

She nodded. “Funny how it all works out, isn’t it? Actually, Derek’s family lawyers have been checking into it. Derek convinced me to take her to court for misuse of my dad’s funds, and they think I’ve got a pretty good case. The hearing will be in a couple weeks.”

“Wow, good luck with that.” I glanced at Derek, my heart squeezing at his protective expression, focused solely on Avery. I’d been so jealous of the two of them just a week ago. But now, I didn’t have to be. Warmth seeped through me as I settled once more next to Greg, who tucked his arm around me again.

“You know, Rhonda made me leave my sister’s wedding just to come tell you about that picture.” Greg arched an eyebrow at me, as if daring me to argue. Avery gasped, and Greg chuckled. “Yep, there was a raging blizzard outside, and she’d had several glasses of champagne, or she’d have driven herself. Right, Jellybean?”

I ducked my head, focusing on my wine. This was not the kind of attention I was used to, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it.

Greg’s voice went soft, tender. “You should have seen her, telling me off. She demanded I drive her down here, so she could tell you in person, Avery, or else she’d find someone who would. It didn’t matter that it was New Year’s Eve. It didn’t matter that my sister’s reception was still going on. It didn’t matter that there was a blizzard in full force.” His finger brushed my cheek.

I finally looked up at him, and I was glad I did or I’d have missed the way his eyes brimmed with love and admiration. For me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Greg’s phone rang, breaking the tender moment. He glanced at the screen, then at me. “It’s Joe. I should answer this.” He looked to Derek, asking permission to take it down the hallway, wandering that way when Derek nodded. Then he disappeared with a, “Hey, Joe, whaddya know?”

While he was gone, Derek turned back to me with a frown. “So, what gives, sis? You’ve been keeping secrets from us?”

I didn’t answer right away, studying my lap instead. I hated appearing weak, and admitting what I’d been going through would be doing just that.

“I was really worried about you.” Derek paused, then added, “We all were. You haven’t been you for a while now.”

Everyone nodded. I remembered what had prompted me to go on this trip, the wanting to belong, the void in my life. Maybe I wasn’t best friends with Gina, but she’d given me solid advice before leaving with Greg. And I’d grown up with Liam.

Derek trusted these people, so did Greg. I’d watched them rally together for Avery and Derek. If I’d learned nothing else the last week, it was that I didn’t want to fight alone anymore. And I had a whole group of people here, ready to be my support, if I’d just let them in. What better way to start than by being honest?

A long sigh left my lips. “I know. Greg told me how concerned you all were about me, and I appreciate it.” I stood up, putting my hands behind my back as I started pacing. “I wasn’t happy here. Breaking up with Kevin was only a small part of it.”

I kept my gaze on the floor, not wanting to see the pity I knew I’d find in their expressions. “I wasn’t upset over the breakup. It was more because of what I’d allowed my life to become.” A shell. A game. I stopped to cross my arms over my chest, looking at the dining room table. It reminded me of mine, where I’d hosted endless parties for my fake friends. “Nothing was real, except you guys. You’re my first true friends, and it made me realize how empty the rest of my life was.”

Footsteps padded around the corner, and Greg reappeared.

I smiled, feeling the light come back on in my soul. “Greg’s helping with that, too.”

He frowned, crossing the room to loop an arm around my waist and kiss the top of my head.

“I know he won’t fix everything. I’m the only one who can figure out what I want to do with my life, who I want to be. But I’ve wanted Greg for a long time.” I felt more at peace with him there, feeling whole. “We’re in this together. I hope you all can accept that.” I finally surveyed my friends to find that they were smiling. Every single one of them.

Derek shook his head, a wide grin on his face. “How can I not after watching the light show you just put on? You’re like a damn Christmas tree the moment he walks in the room.”

I ducked my head, unable to stop my smile. I could live with that.

“But no more secrets, okay?” my brother pleaded earnestly.

It was a promise I intended to keep. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good.” Derek cocked his head. “So, what’s next in the life of Rhonda Elgin?”

I glanced at everyone’s eager expressions, buoyed by the hope they all had for me. “Well, I get to tell our parents that I’m dating our chauffeur. They’re on vacation till next month, but I want to have a plan in place for when they get back in February. Any ideas on that one?”

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