“Well, the first date must have gone really well if you both wanted to see each other again,” I say diplomatically, tossing my towel into the hamper.
Blakely holds onto hers, twisting it between her hands. “I was a little surprised when he picked me up tonight and his mother was in the car. He made me sit in the back while his mom sat up front.” She unwinds the hand towel and then coils it in the other direction as she dips her chin and peers up at me. “Is that… is that normal, or do you think him bringing his mother was a one-time thing?”
I can’t help my bark of laughter, and I quickly cover my mouthwith my hand. “I’m so sorry, Blakely. I promise I’m not laughing at you.”
She releases a long breath and gives me a hint of a smile. “I’m guessing by your response that it’s a common occurrence with Roger. He hasn’t even held my hand all night because he said it would be improper to do so in front of his mother.” Her nose scrunches up. “I don’t know, I just get a vibe from him when he talks about his mom.”
“You would be right to trust your gut,” I say, again keeping it vague.
Blakely’s nose crinkles. “Rose seems really nice.” She sort of leaves that sentence open-ended.
“She is,” I agree before massaging the spot between my eyebrows with my fingertips. “Look, Blakely, I’m just going to be honest with you. I’m not trying to be vindictive here, but you seem like a really lovely person.”
“I won’t say a word to Roger,” she promises. “I just need to know what I’m getting into. I got out of a bad relationship last year, and I don’t think my heart could handle going through any more shit.”
Sympathy wins out over my resolve, and I spell it out for her. “First of all, Roger invited his mother to go on our honeymoon with us.” Blakely gasps, and I hold up a hand so I can finish. “Then he moved Rose into our home a few months later.”
She winces. “While you were newlyweds? And you agreed to that?”
“I did not agree to either of those things,” I assure her. “I wasn’t consulted or asked, and the rest of our marriage continued in the same vein. Any time I voiced a protest, I was gaslighted and guilt-tripped until I felt about this small.” I hold my finger and thumb about an inch apart.
“God, Mindy. I’m so sorry.”
“Like I said, I’m not trying to sabotage your relationship. I honestly couldn’t give two shits whether or not Roger is happy, but I’m a girls’ girl, and I think you deserve to know.” I offer her a sad smile. “I wish someone had told me before my wedding what my life would look like in three years.”
“I really appreciate your honesty. I was scared to approach you because I’m not a confrontational person, but I’m glad I took thechance.” Blakely throws her white towel into the basket and straightens her shoulders. “I don’t think there will be a third date.”
I flash her a soft smile and reach out to squeeze her hand. “Then you’re just as smart as you are beautiful.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
The reckoning
Mindy
“This is soooo much fun,”Aubrey slurs from her position on the floor.
“Best tradition ever,” Caroline agrees, trying to stand up from the couch. She stumbles, flops back down, and apparently gives up. “Can someone go pee for me? My legs aren’t legging.”
I giggle drunkenly and stand. The room spins a little, and I hold out both arms. “Look, I’m Simone Biles on the balance beam.” I take a few steps, putting one foot in front of the other.
“That’s so good,” Aubrey says, wide-eyed and serious. “You’re really talented, Mindy.”
Then I promptly bang my leg on the coffee table and let out enough curses to make a sailor blush.
“The table moved,” I proclaim, pointing at the offending furniture. “It must be possessed.”
“We should hold an exorcism,” Caroline suggests.
“I think you have to be a priest or something to do that,” I tell her, reaching down to haul her up and wrap an arm around her waist. “Come on. Let’s get you to the bathroom before you pee on the couch. I’m sure the owners of this Airbnb wouldn’t appreciate that.”
We’ve rented a small cabin on the outskirts of Houston, somethingwe do every year in April since we all have birthdays around the same time. We drink Fireball, watch dopey movies, and eat all the junk food we can for one fun girls’ weekend.
I manage to get Caroline to the bathroom and back to the cozy living room without either of us running into a wall or falling down. Curling into the corner of the couch, my friend asks, “What did Remi get you for your birthday?”
Tears well in my eyes, and she jerks upright. “Did that asshole forget your birthday? Because I will karate chop him right in the nuts.”
“Me too. Huuu-yah!” Aubrey yells from the floor, slicing a hand through the air above her.