Page 54 of Truth or More Truth
My lips twitch. “Well, you know what they say about time flying.”
Randall lets out a belly laugh. “Sure do.” He puts his arm around his wife and steers her back toward the main room. “Come on, babe, let’s leave them alone.”
“Were we really in there for seventeen minutes?” Melissa asks me once they’re gone.
“I guess so. That seems like a very specific number to make up.” And it doesn’t seem like nearly enough time.
As the women do the Electric Slide on the dance floor, my friends descend upon my table.
Diego speaks first. “So it’s official, then?”
“Is what official?” I ask casually before sipping my drink.
“You and Melissa, doofus,” Randall replies. “Don’t play dumb with us.”
I look at Ash, who has yet to speak, and he shrugs.
“Melissa and I are … actually, I don’t know what we are.” I know what I want us to be, but I have little faith that can actually happen. Once she knows the extent of my past and my family situation, she may well run, and rightfully so.
“But you want to be something with her?” Ash asks.
I nod. “Yeah, but I haven’t told her about Kelli and Nanette or much about my childhood yet.”
“I know you don’t like to talk about any of that stuff,” Randall says, “but you know you have to tell her, right? And sooner rather than later.”
“I know. And I will. I tried to earlier, but she wanted to wait until the drive tomorrow so we’ll have plenty of time to talk about it.” I pause. “Could make for an awkward twelve hours, though, if she decides she doesn’t want to deal with the craziness that is my life.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Randall says. “She’ll understand. I’m not saying I’m sure she’ll want to take it all on as part of her life, too, but she won’t hold it against you as a person. She won’t let it be awkward.”
“Melissa is good people,” Diego says. “And so are you. Lay it all out there.”
“I will.” I look between Randall and Ash. “Not to be a downerat a wedding, but you should know Nanette is having headaches again.”
“Oh, man, I’m sorry,” Randall says.
Ash simply claps a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“I’ve said it before and I will say it again as many times as I need to,” Diego says. “Not your fault.”
“But I was driving,” I say, knowing what the response will be. We’ve had this conversation too many times. I’m surprised he’s not tired of it. Maybe he is.
“You followed the rules of the road,” Randall says. “The other guy didn’t. There was nothing you could’ve done.”
“I could’ve been paying better attention.” I drop my head into my hands. “If I had, I might’ve seen that he wasn’t slowing down.”
“I know you feel responsible,” Ash says, “and that says a lot about your character. But you’re wrong. Nothing about what happened that night was your fault.”
“And what you’ve done for Nanette since then has gone waaaaay above and beyond,” Randall says. “That says even more about your character. No woman worth her salt is going to think any differently—especially Melissa.”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “Okay.” These guys always make me feel better, even if I don’t fully agree with their assessment of the situation.
“They’re playing another slow song,” Randall says as he stands. “Let’s go get our ladies.”
“Hey,” Diego says, “what about me? You can’t leave me here all alone!”
“Andrea’s mom looks a little lonely,” Randall tells him with a wink. “And we know how much you love older women.”
We all chuckle as we leave the table. Unsurprisingly, Diego makes a beeline for Andrea’s mom. The man could charm the pants off an octopus, so the lady isn’t going to know what hit her.
