But my friendship with Nate would've lasted if I hadn't screwed it up. I know Nate and I haven't been getting along well this summer, but we could've fixed it. We've always been able to get past our disagreements. But not this time. This time is different. I think my friendship with Nate is over.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nate
Brad's parents are coming to town today. After what happened yesterday, I'm not in the mood to socialize, especially with Brad's parents. I get along fine with my aunt and uncle, except when they act like they're better than us. I know my aunt will say something rude about our house. My mom's expecting that too and has already told me to just ignore whatever Aunt Sheryl says about it. I'm not sure I can do that, given my anger toward her son. A day has gone by and I'm still furious. I can't get that image of Riley and Brad on the couch out of my head.
Brad told my mom what happened. I didn't want her to know, but she sensed something was up and asked him about it, so he told her. Apparently he can be honest with my mom, but not me.
Bastard. I trusted him. He's my cousin. And a friend. But he betrayed me. He used my trust to go behind my back and steal Riley from me. He stole my best friend, and the worst part is, he still doesn't see why dating her is wrong. He keeps saying he loves her and that I could still be friends with her. But how can I be friends with someone who lied to my face for two months, and dated my cousin after I made it clear he was off limits?
I don't want to talk to either one of them anymore, or even be around them. Unfortunately, they'll be at this dinner my mom's making me go to with my aunt and uncle. I told my mom to tell Riley she was no longer invited, but she wouldn't do it. I'm hoping Riley will just decide not to come, knowing how awkward it'll be for us.
"Nate, they're here," my mom yells from the living room.
She and Brad just got home from picking his parents up from the airport.
I leave my room and go to the living room. Aunt Sheryl is standing next to my mom and Brad is next to his dad.
"Nate, it's good to see you again," Aunt Sheryl says, coming over to give me a hug. She's really skinny. I can feel her bones when I hug her. She's always been thin, but not this thin. She's probably too stressed to eat, given their financial problems.
"Good to see you too," I tell her.
Uncle John comes up beside her. "Nate." He shakes my hand. He's always been really formal. "How's the job search going?"
"Okay. I had an interview last Friday. It didn't work out, but I have another one next week in Denver."
"You do?" Brad asks.
I ignore him. He doesn't need to know what I'm doing. If he gets to keep secrets, so do I.
"I'm hoping he finds something closer," my mom says, "like maybe something in Oklahoma?" She winks at me.
The doorbell rings.
"Nate, would you get that?" my mom says, knowing it's Riley. She wants us to be friends again, but I doubt that'll happen. I don't think it's even possible after what she did.
"Brad can get it," I say.
"Nate," my mom says in her warning voice.
I reluctantly walk to the door and open it. Riley is there, wearing a sleeveless cotton dress that's white with little pink flowers on it. She's going for the sweet and demure look for Brad's parents, but it won't win them over. They'll still think she's trash when they find out she lives in a trailer and didn't go to college.
"Hi, Nate," she says, glancing at me.
"Hey." I'm trying not to look at her, but I keep doing it. She looks beautiful. If I wasn't so mad at her, I'd tell her that, and then give her a hug like I used to when we were friends. It's hard not to do that when I'm around her, which is why I can't be around her.
"Riley, come on in," my mom says. "I want you to meet Brad's parents."
She walks over to them.
"This is Brad's mom, Sheryl, and her husband, John."
"Hi, I'm Riley."
They all shake hands.
"You're Nate's friend?" Aunt Sheryl asks. "The one he talks about all the time?"
"Yes." Riley looks over at me. "We've been friends forever."
"It's nice when a boy and girl can be friends without it becoming more." Aunt Sheryl looks at me, smiling. "Or IS it more?"
"They're just friends," my mom rushes to say.
I narrow my eyes at Brad. "Riley already has a boyfriend."
His eyes lock on mine. "Nate, why don't we—"
"She's dating Brad," I say.
Aunt Sheryl laughs. "Oh, Nate, you're such a kidder. Why don't we all get going? We don't want to miss our reservation."
"I wasn't kidding, Aunt Sheryl. Brad's dating Riley. They've been dating all summer."
"Is this true?" Uncle John says to Brad. He'll be even more upset than my aunt that they're dating. He's a total snob. He keeps trying to set Brad up with the daughters of his rich snobby friends.
"Yeah," Brad says, his eyes going to Riley.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Aunt Sheryl asks.
"I never tell you who I'm dating."
"Sheryl, you were right," my mom says. "We should get going."
My mom walks to the door while my aunt and uncle give Brad a look that says they'll be talking about this later. Brad pretends not to notice and follows my mom to the door. His parents go next.
Riley and I are last to leave, and as I'm locking up, she whispers, "You really had to tell them?"
"Why wouldn't I? I'm not a liar. I believe in telling people the truth."
"That's why you waited years to tell me you love me? I thought we were just friends, but the whole time you were planning a future with me. You don't consider that lying?"
"I was figuring out my feelings. I didn't know for sure how I felt until just a few months ago." I walk off.
"Liar," I hear her say.
We get to the restaurant, and as we're eating dinner, Brad's parents start questioning Riley, which I knew they would after I told them she's dating their son. They already know a little about Riley from what I've told them over the years. They know she's poor, didn't go to college, and has a crazy mom. That alone is enough for them to not approve of her, and their disapproval might be enough for Brad to break up with her.
"Where do you work?" Aunt Sheryl asks Riley.
"At the pool." Riley chews on her lip, which she does when she's nervous. "I'm a lifeguard with Nate and Brad."
"And where else?" Aunt Sheryl asks. "I assume you have another job?"
"I used to. I worked at a hair salon, but it didn't work out so I'm looking for other jobs."
"Do you plan to stay here in town?" Uncle John asks.
"I don't think so." She looks at Brad, who's beside her.
"You're moving?" I ask from across the table.
Brad puts his arm around her. "She's moving to New York with me."
"She's WHAT?" I shove my chair back to stand up, but my mom grabs my arm, stopping me.
"Nate," she says under her breath.
I remain seated and push my chair back in, the whole time glaring at Brad. He stole Riley from me and now he's taking her away? To New York? That was supposed to be ME. I was the one who was going to get her out of this stupid town. Get her away from her mom. But she refused. She said she had to stay here. What she really meant is that she didn't want to go with me.
"That's quite a surprise," my mom says.
"It certainly is," Uncle John says. "Brad, I think we need to discuss this before you make any plans."
"The plans are already being made," he says. "Instead of living in the dorms, Riley and I are getting an apartment. We've already started looking."
Uncle John clears his throat. "Brad, you're aware of our financial constraints. Apartments in New York are—"
"Expensive. I know. Which is why I'll be using some of my college money to pay for it. Riley will get a job to help out, and if I'm able to, I'll get a job too."
Aunt Sheryl looks at Uncle John, then back at Brad. "We'll discuss this later. When we get home."
<
br /> "Mom, there's nothing to discuss. We've made our decision. Riley and I are moving to New York. I don't know why this is an issue. I'm still going to medical school. The only thing changing is I won't be living in the dorms."
"Honey, this isn't the time," his mom says. "We'll talk when we get home."
"About what? What else is there to say?"
Uncle John sighs and sets his fork down. "We have some things to tell you. That's why we're here. We didn't want to tell you over the phone."
"What do you need to tell me?" Brad asks, pushing his plate aside. He barely touched his meal, and neither did his parents.
"Wait until we get back to your aunt's house," Uncle John says.
Brad tosses his napkin on the table and leans back in his chair. "Just tell me now."
Uncle John looks across the table at Aunt Sheryl, who's sitting next to Brad and Riley. I'm sitting next to Uncle John with my mom on my other side. Up until now, I hadn't even noticed Brad's parents aren't sitting together.
I think I just figured out why they're here.
"Your father and I have separated," my aunt says to Brad. "He's already moved out. This week we'll be filing the paperwork for the divorce."
Brad folds his arms over his chest. "That's it?"
Riley looks at him, along with the rest of us.
"What?" he says. "I knew this was coming. It's not like it was a surprise."
"Honey, things will be changing," his mom says. "I'll be selling the house."
"I figured you would." Brad takes a breath. "Anything else?"
My aunt and uncle exchange glances.
My mom clears her throat. "Maybe we should get the check. Unless anyone would like dessert?"
"No, thanks," Riley mutters, chewing on her lip.
Brad looks at his dad. "What else? I know there's more. Just tell me."
"Go ahead, John," my aunt says in an angry tone. "Tell him."
Uncle John leans back in his chair, his eyes meeting up with Brad's. "I had to use some money to pay off our debts."
"You mean YOUR debts," Brad says, his jaw tightening.
Uncle John sighs. "Brad, we all know who's at fault here. We can't change the past. What's done is done."
"Yeah. Got it." Brad rolls his eyes. "Continue."
"Selling the house will help pay off some of it, but not all. We also had to sell the boat, some of your mother's jewelry, and the cars."
"You don't have cars anymore?"
"We traded them in for something cheaper. We'll be taking your SUV back as well and seeing what we can get for it."
"When is that happening? When I go to school?"
"That's the other issue. You'll need to delay med school for a year or two."
"Wait—what?" Brad lurches forward, bumping the table and causing his water to splash out of the glass. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm afraid not," Uncle John says. "I had to use your college account to pay off what I owed."
"I can't fucking believe this." Brad rubs his hand over his jaw. "This can't be happening."
"Honey, it'll all work out," his mom says. "It won't be on your timeline, but you will be going to medical school."
"With what money?" he shoots back.
"Your father will be going back to work. And we might cash out some of our retirement."
"So that Dad can gamble it all away?" Brad gets up. "I'm going outside. I need some air."
"Brad, wait!" Riley follows him and they make their way to the door.
"I suppose we should go," Aunt Sheryl says, getting up from her chair.
"I'm so sorry about this." My mom takes her wallet out. "I didn't know it had come to this. Obviously I knew about the divorce but—"
"You knew about the divorce?" I ask her.
"Nate, not now." She drops some money on the table for the check.
Uncle John is already heading outside. My mom goes around the table to whisper something to my aunt.
I knew this dinner would be awkward, but I thought it'd be because of the news of Riley dating Brad, not his parents' news. I figured they were here to tell him something, but I didn't know what.
Brad isn't going to med school. His parents are splitting up. He's losing his car. He'll have to find a job.
If he hadn't taken Riley from me, I might feel bad for him. But I don't, not even a little. His life may be going to hell, but he still has the girl I love.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Riley
"Brad, wait!" I race to catch up with him as he sprints through the parking lot.
"I knew they were here to give me bad news," he says, still walking so fast I can barely keep up. "I expected the divorce, but I didn't think they'd tell me they're broke. They took my fucking college fund. I can't go to med school. What the hell am I going to do?"
"Could you get a loan?"
"Not this late. School starts in a month."
"Then try to get a loan for later. Could you start halfway through the year?"
"I don't know. Maybe." He stops next to his SUV, leaning against it and shaking his head. "None of this would've happened if he'd just stopped gambling. How the hell did he lose that much money?"
"He can earn it back. Lawyers make a lot, right?"
"He was making a million a year, but he didn't save much. He was always buying expensive cars, suits, wine, jewelry for my mom. And then the country club memberships, which cost a ton. I bet he's still paying for those. My parents don't want their friends thinking they can't afford the membership anymore."
"They'd pay for that over your education?"
He huffs. "Hell yeah. They'll do whatever they have to to hide this from people."
"That's crazy! Who cares what people think?"
"They do. Couldn't you tell by the way they were shooting questions at you?"
I look down. "They don't think I'm good enough for you."
"It doesn't matter what they think. No one will ever be good enough."
"Brad!" his dad yells, waving at us from across the parking lot. "Pull the car up. We're leaving."
We get in the SUV and Brad pulls up to the entrance. Everyone gets in and nobody says a word the entire drive back.
We arrive at the house and as I'm getting out of the SUV, Nate comes up to me. "You should go. This is a family matter."
"You used to say I was family."
"Yeah, well, you're not anymore."
Brad comes up beside me, putting his arm around me. "She can stay if she wants."
"It's my house, and I didn't invite her. I'd kick you out too if I could."
"It's your mom's house, not yours. C'mon, Riley."
Brad and I go around Nate into the house.
"Would anyone like some coffee?" Kathy asks.
"Not now," Brad's mom says, sitting on one of the chairs by the couch. Her husband sits in the one next to it. "We need to speak with Brad."
"Maybe I should go," I tell Brad.
"No." He grips my hand. "I want you here."
"The girl should leave," Brad's dad says. "This is a family matter."
"The girl has a name." Brad walks us over to them. "Riley is my girlfriend, and she's staying."
Brad and I sit down on the couch. Kathy comes over and sits beside us while Nate stands off to the side.
"So what is?" Brad asks. "What other bad news could you possibly have? Did Paul knock up his girlfriend? That'd be just what we need. A baby to join this fucked-up family."
"Brad, stop it!" his mother scolds.
"Does he know?" Brad says. "Did you tell him?"
"Yes, we already spoke with your brother."
"Brad, we need you to come home," his dad says. "Your mother needs help getting the house ready to sell and I can't afford to hire anyone to do it."
"And you can't do it?" Brad asks, sounding annoyed.
"I'll be—" He glances at his wife. "I'm going away for a while."
"Where are you going?" Brad asks.
"He's going to a special program
to help him deal with his addiction," Brad's mom says.
"You're going to rehab?" Brad says to his dad. "And how much does that cost?"
"It doesn't matter," his mom says. "Your father needs help. We don't have a choice."
"Where are you going to live?" he asks his mom. "If the house sells."
"I've picked out a condo in Scottsdale. You know the one. It's close to the pool you used to work at."
"The one on the golf course? Mom, that place costs a fortune."
"It costs far less than it would cost for me to stay in the house."
"Yeah, but there's cheaper places than that. A LOT cheaper."
"Brad, you know how this works. I have an image to uphold. Even though your father and I are divorcing, I still need to appear as though he's supporting me in the way I'm accustomed. We can't have people thinking he's no longer successful. It could harm his career."
"And the gambling addiction hasn't already done that?"
"Very few people know about that. We've told everyone that the divorce, along with you and your brother leaving home, is the reason we're downsizing."
"So you're spending my college money to keep up appearances," Brad says, sounding annoyed and angry.
"And to support your father's career, when he's able to return to work."
"So it's about alimony. You want to make sure you get a big check every month."
John bursts up from his chair. "Brad, that's enough! Go to your room and pack your bags. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning. You and I will drive the car and your mother will be flying home."
Brad stands up to face his father. "I'm not going anywhere. I have a job here. And a girlfriend. I'm not leaving to go clean up your mess."
"This isn't about me. It's about your mother. You're all she has, and she needs you."
"Please, Brad," his mother says, sniffling. "Your father goes to the facility on Monday. The real estate agent is coming over in the afternoon. I can't do this on my own. I need you."
Brad looks back at me.
"You should go," Nate says to him. "Family first. Isn't that what you always say?"
"Stay out of this," Brad snaps.
Better If He Goes (Always You Book 1) Page 24
