Epilogue #2
Milo also changed into all black clothing, ready to help out at the cafe.
Mr. Nelson drives us over, and I feel the chaotic energy as soon as I enter.
Kylie and Laura are in charge of tables, while Aunt Maddy and Jake get the trays of food prepared.
We are to load them into the van and take them over to the garden party.
Before entering the kitchen, I see Parker and Lewis at a table and give them a happy wave. When I get to the kitchen, I almost collapse. Mr. Stuffy is wearing an apron and haphazardly dusted with flour.
“Oh my gosh, David,” I say with a giggle. “You’re helping?”
“I’m trying,” he jokes.
Aunt Maddy hugs him from behind. “Honey, you’re doing a fantastic job. I’d be lost without you.”
With a goofy grin, David picks up a tray and moves to the rear kitchen doors.
“Aunt Maddy, you look in better shape than this morning,” I say, linking an arm with me.
She blushes. “David talked me down. He reminded me I run a business every day, and that this should be no different just because the clientele has a larger net worth.”
“He looks so different out of a suit,” I say, smiling as David walks back into the kitchen.
“He’s really lightened up,” Maddy agrees.
“So, I should retire the nickname?” I tease.
Aunt Maddy’s eyes widen. “Immediately.”
I giggle and nod.
Milo asks Maddy how he can help, and she teams him up with Jake. My heart balloons, seeing him help in the kitchen. Mom did a good job of scaring us out of romanticizing bad boys. She wanted us to both find gentlemen, and oh my gosh, did we ever.
I didn’t give David credit when he started helping out at the cafe, even though Milo pointed it out.
Now I see it’s undeniable how much he loves and cares for Maddy.
I’m coming around on his personality and I’m trying to stop my eyes from rolling when he’s near.
My aunt is completely swooning over him, and that’s all that really matters.
With Aunt Maddy rallying the boys in the kitchen, I move to the counter to check on Laura and Kylie.
“Everything okay?” I ask, sidling up to Kylie.
She jolts, a guilty look crossing her face. “Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
She looks back at the tables. “Nothing.”
I spy where she’s looking, and it’s at the section that includes Parker and Lewis.
“Are they giving you a problem?” I ask. “Did they say something?”
Kylie cups a hand over her face, shying away. “What? No. Why would they? I mean, what would he even say to me?”
“He? Which he?” I look at the boys and then back to bashful Kylie. “Oh my gosh! You like one of them. Which one?”
Kylie squeals in embarrassment. She hides her face, leaving the counter. “What? Nothing. I gotta clear the tables.”
My mouth hangs ajar, and I shake my head with a giggle. She’s crushing so hard on one of my friends. This will be fun to watch.
After helping clear tables and taking payments, we’re ready to leave for the event. When we arrive, we unload the food into our serving station. Trestles of flowers frame the round tables, which are covered with pale pink cloths, and surrounded by white, cushioned chairs.
Mrs. Fisher stands with the best posture I’ve ever seen, liaising with Aunt Maddy. I link arms with Milo as we ogle the crowd. I spy Christie and Ash and can’t help remembering when Christie propositioned Milo to be her friend’s date.
“Do you regret not agreeing to be out there and mingling?” I ask.
Milo scoffs. “And give up the chance to be a kitchen hand? Never.”
I giggle, leaning into him. “You goof.”
“Oh lord. Look at Kai,” Milo says, pointing out his brother, who escorts his gorgeous girlfriend. “Who knew he could play a doting boyfriend so well?”
“Oh my gosh,” I murmur. “He totally looks like rom-com material.”
Milo smirks. “I’ve now watched enough of them to know exactly what you mean.”
I elbow him playfully. “Admit it. You love them.”
He kisses my cheek. “Sure, sure.”
Before the teasing can continue, Aunt Maddy breaks us up to start serving. Jake pulls the tray of mini milkshakes out of the van. I pick up a serving tray and fill it with as many as I can carry. As Aunt Maddy and I begin with serving drinks, Milo and David ready the food trays to follow.
It doesn’t take long for the serving to run its course. Once we’ve made our rounds with the food, it’s time to hang back and wait until it’s time to clear. Aunt Maddy stays wandering around tables, soaking up the compliments on the food and handing out business cards where appropriate.
I can’t help watching people from school.
Christie and Ash are so loved up, they’ve barely noticed my existence.
Kai and Tabitha continue to be cute, but take any chance they get to wave at me and ask me to join their table.
Instead, I introduce them to Christie and Ash.
It simultaneously makes both of their days.
Then there’s Yvette. She sits at the table with the new Mrs. Garcia and their families.
Yvette looks beyond bored. My mind flicks back to all the times she encouraged Camila to harass me or anyone else in their line of sight.
She fed off a tarnished memory of my mother.
I want the news about my dad to come out, but I want some control over it.
I’m not ashamed or scared of everyone knowing.
If someone like Yvette knows, surely it’ll run like wildfire.
With a gulp, I make my approach. I stand before her, and she looks at me up and down in my server uniform.
“Umm, hi,” I say with a mediocre wave.
Her brows lift. “Hi?”
“I thought you might want to know, Coach Anders is my dad.”
Yvette spit takes. She hunches over, coughing and spluttering, trying to catch her breath. “What?” She finally gasps.
I nod happily. “Yep, it’s true. Would you like to spread it around?”
She blinks wildly. “You want me to tell people?”
“Yeah. I know Camila’s gone, but you are the next best person.”
Yvette frowns. “You think I’m mean like her?”
I shrug. “You agreed with everything she said.”
Her eyes water. “Yeah, that’s true.”
My eyes narrow. “I’m sorry. Are you upset? I thought you’d already be at the next table, gossiping about me.”
Yvette stands. “Look, I’ll definitely let this slip. It is totally juicy. But I don’t want to do it to be mean. With Cammy gone, I feel so alone. I’m scared that I’m now a target.”
“You’re not alone. You have Tabitha.”
“We had a fight when she didn’t want to go along with Cammy anymore.”
I snap my fingers at her. “Cammy’s gone. Go make up with your friend.”
“Do you think she’ll want to?”
“One-hundred percent.” I point out where Tabitha sits with Kai. “She’s over there. Tell her I asked you to spread the news about Coach Anders being my dad. I want her to help you tell everyone.”
She eyes me dubiously. “Why would you want that?”
“Because I want people to know, and I don’t want to tell every single person.”
Yvette shakes her head, grinning. “I knew you were a weirdo.”
I laugh. “Yeah, maybe I am. I’m so happy to know he’s my dad. I’m not ashamed of what he and my mom did, but I have no energy to tell everyone about my family connection.”
“I can’t control how much this spins out of control.”
“In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that interesting,” I reply. “That picture of my mom was old news pretty quickly. I’m just looking forward to that part.”
Yvette nods, excusing herself and moving over to Tabitha’s table. Maybe gossiping will help them mend fences. What do I know? I’m new to talking to other girls.
“Hey, are you okay?” Milo asks, rushing over to me. “I saw you talking with Yvette.”
I grin nervously. “I told her Coach is my dad.”
Milo’s eyes widen. “What? Why? That’s crazy.”
“I know she’s a gossip,” I reply, taking his hand. “I want people at school to find out. Plus, Coach wants people to know. By Monday morning, everyone at school will know.”
“Oh my gosh.” He sighs and pulls me in for a hug. “Well, you know I’ll be with you through this.”
I kiss his lips, soft and sweet. “I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
“Looks like it’s time to clean up soon,” Milo says, looking at discarded plates scattered around the tables. “What do you want to do after this? Movie night?”
“Absolutely,” I cheer. “And I know this is completely nerdy, but can you help me with my essay at the same time?”
Milo laughs. “Yeah, of course. You’re the cutest nerd of all time.”
“Well, I gotta get my nerd on for our next game of Draikin Crusades.”
“You know, John is still gunning for you.”
“They need to learn there’s no game I can’t master.”
Milo leans in with a kiss. “As long as I’m always your teammate.”
I kiss him back. “I don’t win if I don’t have you.”
***
Thank you for reading.