“Just try to calm down Benji..” I whispered, knowing he had a very bad temper once he reached this point..he kind of had a few instances after Dad died..he had just turned twenty-one and began drinking very heavily..I found him in my room passed out on the foot of my bed on more than one occasion.
Ben turned to look me, the anger clearly visible as he slowly began to relax.
“Do Alder and Caspian know?” Ben asked more calmly now as my mom and Dave shared a look before nodding.
“They are okay with it and will be attending the wedding.” Dave informed, making me let out a shuddering breath..did Caspian know earlier? And he didn’t even say anything? Maybe that was why he was so mad.
Caspian and his mom were close..really close..and it’s hard to believe he would be okay with this.
“I can’t believe this.” Ben sighed, making my mom step towards us.
“I know this is hard to accept..but Dave and I..we love one another, and since your dad..” My mom choked out, making my heart ache as Dave went to comfort her.
“I just..I never thought I would find love again.” She confessed..and I can’t lie..I felt conflicted. They are two consenting adults and both single..but still..he was her best friend’s husband.
How could Mom do this to Viva?
“Baby..just give it a chance..you can clearly see how happy he makes your mom.” Robin suddenly butt in, making Ben look towards her like he just realized she was still here.
“Wait..did you..did you know about this?” Ben suddenly asked, causing Robin to open and close her mouth a few times.
“Unbelievable..I can’t deal with this right now..come on Jo, let’s go.” Ben suddenly snapped, making me swallow hard before nodding my head and turning towards him.
That’s when my mom reached out and gripped my hand.
“Sweetheart..you..you will come to the wedding right? I need you there..I want you to be my maid of honor.” She rushed out but before I could answer Ben took my other hand and started pulling.
“Just give us a few hours to think..please mom..” He snapped and then we left the house, the sound of my mom crying playing over and over in my mind as I couldn’t get what Robin said out of my head.
My mom has been happier lately..a lot happier..and I just thought she was finally coming out of the lowest point of her life..was that all thanks to Dave?
“Jo..what the hell are we going to do?” My brother rushed out.
“Funny..I was just going to ask you that..” I laughed..feeling like our lives had just been flipped upside down once again.
(Johnnie)
“Can I get two number ones with cheese and strawberry milkshakes?” My brother asked the guy at the counter before paying and turning back towards me.
We had driven for about an hour and ended up at Dad’s favorite burger place, Dick’s. The burgers here were greasy and delicious..I swear every bite brings me back to my childhood.
“Here…you can wear my hoodie.” My brother suddenly grumbled while glancing towards a group of guys who seemed to be looking our way.
“But then you are going to get cold.” I stated, making my brother shove the hoodie over my head quickly before I could protest further. Why the heck was he doing that?
“I’ll be fine..” He mumbled while stepping closer to me.
Our food came out pretty quickly and we decided to sit at a small picnic table off to the side.
“What are you thinking?” Ben asked just as I took a bite. I swear it took everything in me not to moan from the taste of this burger dancing on my tongue.
I had been eating pretty clean lately and I swear I had starvation dreams about this place.
“I don’t really know..I’m just shocked to be honest..like..how could mom not tell us? Or how the hell did we not even see it coming?” I scoffed, truly baffled by this whole situation.
“I have no fucking clue..Alder was acting a little odd today and didn’t come into the office..was Caspian acting weird?” Ben asked, making me pause mid-chew from Caspian being brought up.
“Umm..not that I know of..we don’t really see each other very often.” I said while looking down at my burger. It wasn’t a total lie..I don’t see him that much..just when I do he is a total jerk face.
“I honestly can’t believe Viva would be okay with this… Mom was her best friend! what the hell is she thinking..” Ben began to get angry before crumbling up his burger wrapper and placing it on the table.
“Here, you can finish mine too.” I said, offering the rest of my burger to him as he gladly took it.
“Should we call her? Maybe after speaking to Viva, we will know what to do.” I whispered, making Ben nod in agreement before pulling out his phone…to be honest, if she isn’t okay with this..I don’t think I can support the wedding. Viva has always been like family and in this case, my mom is definitely in the wrong.
Ben pressed her number and put it on speakerphone as we huddled closer together.
“Benji, I had a feeling you would call.” Viva answered, her voice sounding somewhat sad.
“Viva..we just heard..are you seriously okay with this?!” Ben asked, coming in hot as I heard Viva sigh.
“Would Dave be my first choice for your mom? No..but if this is what makes them happy, then who am I to come between them?” She asked softly, and I couldn’t help but feel my stomach tie into knots..I felt so bad for her.
“We only get one life..and I’m not going to waste mine being petty and living in anger..Dave and I separated for many reasons and he is still the father of my kids. I don’t wish him any ill intent.” Viva continued and I quickly swiped a tear away that had fallen down my cheek.
“Vivi..we are on your side with this… You don’t have to hold it together for our sakes..we won’t attend the wedding if you..” I tried to rush out before she quickly interrupted me.
“Sweetheart..you have to be there for your mom..you know it will hurt her if you guys boycott this..Caspian and Alder will be going and they need your support..please. They need you two more than ever right now.” Viva said calmly, making me chew my lip as I glanced up at Ben who looked like he could cry at any moment. It broke my heart…He and Viva became really close after Dad died..she was a huge reason he got over the alcohol abuse while my mom tried to cope with everything.
“Fine..but if you at any point aren’t okay with this..we aren’t going..we support you one hundred percent.” Ben concluded, and I nodded my head in agreement even though she couldn’t see it.
“So you won’t be going to Florida at all?” I asked…I know it was selfish of me to want her to go with all of this stuff going on..but it just didn’t feel right. She had always been there every summer.
“Not this time, but Jo..promise me you will let Caspian teach you how to surf this trip..you said you would the last three years.” She reminded me, making me frown as Ben raised his eyebrow in amusement. Yeah..I pushed it off the last three years because Caspian wanted nothing to do with me and no way was I going to force him to hang out with me.
“Do I have to?” I groaned, realizing I let that slip out as Viva laughed over the phone.
“Yes..and I need pictures too, lots of them.” She added and I reluctantly agreed..how could I not?
After saying our goodbyes and hanging up, Ben and I shared a collective sigh before looking at one another.
“I guess we are going then..” He spoke first, making me nod as I looked down at my hands.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.