Page 110 of New Growth
“No!” She held up a hand. “Shut up and listen. We came all this way, and Ryan has something to tell you.”
I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into fists under the table. I didn’t want to hear it. But fine—might as well let her say what she came to say and get it over with. The sooner it was out, the sooner I could walk away.
“Well?” I pushed with attitude.
Ryan drew in a breath, steadying herself like she already knew this wouldn’t go over well. “Johnny and I are getting married.”
My stomach turned.
No.
“And we would like to have you there.”
No, no, no.
“As my maid of honor.”
No, no, no, no.
Fuck no.
I couldn’t take it. “Girl, fuck you!”
“Elliot!” Ma hissed, eyes darting around the restaurant.
“No! Y’all are playing in my face!” My voice shook, but I didn’t care who heard. Let them listen.
“Calm down, yelling in these people’s place like that—you gon’ get us put out! What the hell is wrong with you?”
Was she not just yelling?
“YOU, Ma! You! You’re what’s wrong with me! You and the damn demon you birthed after me!”
I whipped around to face Ryan, breath ragged, rage burning at the back of my throat. This crash-out had been marinating for years.
“What the hell made you think I’d ever go to a wedding involving you and my ex? Are you crazy?”
She didn’t flinch. Calm as ever, like she was bulletproof.
“I want you there.”
“Why?” I snapped, my voice sharp and accusing.
“Because you’re my sister.”
I laughed. “Where was this consideration when you fucked my fiancé? Or when you blamed me for Daddy’s death?”
Ma hung her head.
Ryan’s voice softened. “You don’t even feel slightly responsible?”
I stilled. “What?”
“Drop this,” Ma warned but Ryan didn’t.
“I mean, you were in charge of his care. You knew all about his health conditions, and his eating restrictions, but you still let him eat whatever he wanted. You enabled his bad habits. You let him eat all that bullshit and then couldn’t be bothered to make sure he took his meds. What do you call that?”
I blinked.
