Page 58 of Broken Butterfly
“You know that stuff ain’t gluten-free, kitten,” Fallon remarks about the fries.
“I’m not allergic to gluten like I am dairy. I just prefer to eat GF. And nothing beats Ruby’s steak fries.”
I lean closer to Liz so that only she can hear me. “Mom and Dad would really like to see you. Do you think you have time to stop by today? I also think it’s time to tell them about Elizabeth Ann.”
“It’s okay to talk about it in front of Fallon. He knows.” Why the fuck does that not surprise me?
“I know what?”
“About our daughter,” she replies, then asks Ryder, “Do you mind if I take a couple of hours after lunch and go back with Jayson? It’s time we tell his parents about their granddaughter.”
“Why don’t we come with you?” Fallon interjects.
“Why don’t you not,” I tell him. “This is a personal matter between me and Liz.”
“I have to agree, Fallon. Would you mind?” she asks Ryder again.
“Of course not, sweetheart,” Ryder tells her.
Fallon wiggles his phone. “Got a text from a friend. They’re doing a race tonight at the Fields. We’re going.”
Liz bounces in her seat. “That would be awesome! How about we all go? Except it won’t be the same without you racing,” Liz says to Ry, reaching across the table and linking her hand with his. Luck is on my side; the waiter comes back with our food meaning Liz has to let go of Ryder’s hand.
“Is that good?” Fallon asks her as Liz eagerly dips a fry in her spicy mustard.
“Here,” she offers, holding a fry across the table and dripping mustard all over the Formica. Fallon leans over and bites it from her fingertips.
“Not too bad,” he munches. “Now mayo, that’s the thing.”
That surprises me. “You like mayo on your fries?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Jayson does too,” Liz answers.
“Huh,” is all Fallon says and digs into his burger.
“Do you think Julien would be willing to come with us tonight to the Fields?”
“I don’t know, Liz. We can ask him when we get home. He should be there.”
“He’s really upset at me.”
“You know he loves you, Liz.”
“I know. It’s just that this is the first time Julien has ever been this angry with me. It makes my universe feel off-kilter.”
“Once you talk to him, babe, everything will work out.” This time Ryder reaches over and takes Liz’s hand. Lunch can’t be over soon enough for me. At least afterward, I’ll have Liz for a few hours without Ry and Fallon hovering.
Chapter 18
Liz’s voice filters upstairs to where I’m resting on my bed reading a magazine on my tablet. I want so badly to go downstairs and see her, to be in her presence. But I’m still too goddamn mad.
“Jules, get your ass down here. Family meeting,” Jay calls up to me. If it turns out he’s trying to do an intervention to make me talk to her, I’ll turn around and leave.
“Jules!”
“Coming!” Shithead, I mentally add. I toss my tablet on the bed and stomp downstairs. Liz is standing at the bottom and she looks up at me. Christ, why does she have to look so fucking innocent? And beautiful?
