Page 132 of Good For Me

“I think I want some privacy,” I whisper, voice thick. “You should really stay.”

He’s quiet for a moment and I don’t meet his eye. “If you want privacy, I’ll hang out upstairs and you can have the living room to yourself. Or vice versa. But I don’t want you to leave without me, Jas.”

I take in a deep, shuddering breath. He’s such a good man. How had I ever thought otherwise? If I was half as good as him, I would suck it up and go back to the party. I would tough it out so he could have this time with his family.

But I don’t think I’m capable of doing that right now, not even for River.

“Can you take me home?” I whisper. “I’d really like to lie down.”

He slips an arm around me. “Let’s go.”

I pause. I want nothing more than to escape to the safety and privacy of the Jeep, but I won’t be that rude. “We need to say goodbye.”

He leads me back over to his mother, who’s left the group to come check on us. Her expression is worried as she looks at me, so I avert my gaze, not wanting her to see more than she already has. “Jas isn’t feeling well,” I hear River murmur to her softly. “I’m going to take her home to lie down. Will you say goodbye to everyone for us?”

“Of course,” she says.

“Riv, you don’t have to do that,” I mutter. “At least talk to your aunt and uncle. They hosted us and—”

“Jas, it’s fine.” I feel Daisy’s soft hand on my arm and the urge to cry intensifies. “With this many people, it takes an hour to say goodbye to everyone.” I look up and force myself to meet her kind green eyes. She still looks worried, but there’s understanding there, too. “I hope you’re feeling better soon, sweetheart. Will you call me and let me know how you are tonight?”

I nod, sure that I won’t be able to talk if I try. She leans in and kisses my cheek and I have to dig my nails into my palms to keep it together. River does the same to her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Love you, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“You too, Riv. You guys take it easy tonight, okay?”

“Will do.”

I try to force a smile for her, but I’m sure it comes out more like a grimace. She pats my arm one more time and then, finally, River leads me away.