Page 141 of You and Me, For Real
“Perfect. We’d love to have you.” She gives Scarlet a side-hug before waving me over. “Isn’t that right, Griffin?”
I nod like the dumb, proud idiot I am.
And the three of us slip our arms through each other’s, standing side by side, taking about a hundred pictures together.
Never in my life would I have pictured this night going this way.
From the corner of my eye, I see Luke giving me two thumbs up. A gesture I will definitely be giving him crap for later. The dork.
Once again, pictures are halted as the cameras shift their attention to more incoming guests. And in walks my dad. With Edith Blake on his arm.
I’m going to kill him.
42
ASHTON
“What are you doing here?” Griffin growls.
I grasp his arm, holding him back. “I invited them.”
His head whips to me. “Youwhat?”
I keep a smile plastered to my face for the constant flashes in our direction. “I invited them.”
“They don’t have tickets.”
“I may have made a few phone calls and made some special arrangements.”
His jaw slacks.
I push it up with my fingers and trace his chin with my thumb. His expression softens slightly under my gaze.
I face our parents. “Under one condition. That your father attendsonlyas your dad tonight. No business talk. He was invited to support one of the biggest roles of your career. One you deserve to be recognized for.”
Thomas looks chagrined at my scolding for the years he’s neglected Griffin and treated him so poorly.
Serves him right.
Thomas holds up his hands. “I’m only here to support you, Son. And I hope you’ll forgive me for controlling your personal life too much over the years. I’m just sorry it took this young lady here to point it out to me. I’d like us to have the chance to start over.” He holds out his hand toward Griffin to shake.
Griffin works his jaw back and forth, and I’m starting to wonder if I made a huge mistake inviting Thomas here. After an eternity, yet only a momentary pause, Griffin thrusts his hand outward and shakes his father’s hand.
I release a breath, my dress fitting more comfortably.
“But only because she invited you here and I respect her attempt to make peace.” He leans toward Thomas and whispers, “But you’re on probation.”
Thomas nods. “Understood.”
Griffin releases his hand and wraps his arm around my shoulder, leaning to my ear. “But why isshehere?” he whispers, as though our parents can’t clearly hear his question.
“She is here because I’m extending a similar olive branch.”
Mom straightens, and her lips twitch. “I do appreciate that, dear.”
I called her after Griffin’s interview aired. Cecily and I both did, together. I didn’t have any expectations for the conversation outside of explaining how detrimental being raised on TV was to our mental health. And going forward, if we’re to have any kind of relationship, there would be boundaries. To my shock, she actually apologized. She conceded that growing up on screen was more difficult than she had anticipated and promised not to include us in her future reality show ventures. I doubt we’ll ever have a close relationship, but expressing my feelings alleviated some of the pain I’ve been holding onto for years.
I’m done closing myself off from people, including my mom. We may never be theGilmore Girls,at least, not Lorelai and Rory—Emily and Lorelai maybe. Regardless, I’m tired ofrunning. Tired of hiding from her. If I’m ever going to truly move forward, I need to forgive her.
