Page 117 of Ruin The Friendship
“I have a long-sleeved red dress to match the theme.”
Mom sighs through the phone. “I cannot believe it’s a ladybug theme. You don’t expect me to wear something red, do you? Red washes me out.”
“No, you can do whatever you want.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Well, clearly I can’t do whatever I want.” She scoffs. “If I could have whatever I wanted, we would be having a dignified event at Le Château Arnaud. Not at a local ice rink’s party room with dollar store decorations.”
I withhold the groan rising in my chest. “We are doing it at the rink because my boss offered to waive the event fee, and it has the most room. Besides, it’s where I wanted it to be. Doesn’t what I want matter?”
“Of course it matters. I simply thought that after how I raised you, you would have more taste. Ladybugs are better for a toddler’s birthday party. We should be decorating in gold and pearl luster.”
“The ladybugs have meaning.” I stop myself from saying more.
She probably wouldn’t care that Ladybug is the nickname Fletcher has given the baby, or that he’s called me Lydi-bug for years. This isn’t worth the fight.
“Did you call me to shit on my baby shower?” I ask. “Because if that’s the case, I’m going to hang up now.”
Mom huffs. “Watch your tone, young lady. No. I will try to find something to wear. My flight lands at four on Friday, so I will see you then.”
I mutter a response, hanging up the phone with a quick goodbye.
Hattie eyes me carefully as I slump against the brick wall of the tunnel.
“Everything okay?” she asks cautiously.
I shrug. “My mom. Has Grace told you about her?”
She winces. “Yeah. I hope that’s okay. She gave me a heads-up about her when I came along.”
“It’s totally fine. I’m glad you know, honestly. Especially before the shower.”
“Hopefully I’m not overstepping by saying this, but… it kind of sounds like you’d be better off without her.”
I sigh, resting a hand over my bump. “Yeah, I agree. It’s hard. She has such a narcissistic personality, but I keep giving her second chances because she’s my mom. Now that I’m becoming a mom, I feel like I should give my parents a chance to know their granddaughter. But at the same time, I want to protect her from the pain I experienced as a kid.”
“It’s tough,” Hattie laments, rubbing my shoulder. “Whatever happens, I already know you’re going to be an amazing mom. You’re already protecting her.”
I nod as tears spring to my eyes. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. You guys are amazing. I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough that you’re helping me the way you are.”
“You’re such a hard worker, and you deserve every bit of happiness, and so does he.” I point to where Dylan is standing, waiting for the team to exit the locker room.
There’s a look of pure awe written over his young face, and it’s so fun to watch his dreams come true.
“He’s had a hard life,” Hattie says, “but he deserves the world.”
A minute later, all the guys start exiting the locker room, and when Fletcher arrives, he pulls me into his tight embrace, giving me a kiss and a tight hug before resting his palm flat over my rounded stomach. “Hey, Lydi-bug.”
“Hey, you. You had a great game.”
“It was a blast out there. They’re not all like that, but man, was it fun.”
“Is Adam settling in?”
“Think so. We need more than one quick practice and game to know for sure, but the odds are good for this to be a good fit.”
“Awesome.”
