9. abbi #3
She reaches across, squeezing my hand. “Then you have to tell him, and don’t hold back.
Be honest with him and don’t spare his feelings.
You tend to keep too much inside to protect the people around you, and this time you need to put yourself and your needs first. God, Sissy, you practically went from raising me to raising your own babies.
You deserve to put yourself first for once.
” She squeezes me again. “And don’t make it easy for him.
You deserve for him to work hard … to fight to get you back. ”
A sad smile tilts up my lips at the fierceness in her eyes.
“I really just want to hold things together until Prue’s wedding is over.
For her. You know.” I fill my lungs slowly and blow it out again.
“This is a special time for her and Luke, and I don’t want our troubles to take anything away from her happiness.
” My shoulders hunch up around my ears. “I wish I hadn’t said anything to Nix, but I can’t take it back now. I don’t want to.”
“And you shouldn’t have to. You deserve to be treated like you’re the most special person on the planet, because that’s exactly what you are.
I could kick Nix’s ass for treating you in a way that’s less than what you deserve.
” She leans back in her seat with a huff.
“I never realized what an asshole he is.”
I lean forward. “Hey. He’s not an asshole. Don’t talk about him like that. He’s never once been disloyal, and he’s a great provider. A fantastic dad … when he’s there. He’s just …” I struggle to put my new reality into words.
“Not a great husband anymore,” Callie finishes for me.
“Yeah,” I breathe. The weight of that single word feels like a stone boulder resting on my chest.
We fall into silence. Each of us lost in our own thoughts. I’m sure Callie’s struggling to reconcile what she’s learned today with her love for Nix. She idolizes him like the big brother he is to her. He even walked her down the aisle when she married Dean, so this must be difficult for her.
Her phone beeps with an alert, and she silences it, then her sad eyes lift to mine. “I’m sorry. That’s my alarm to head home. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. You get to see your babies soon.”
Callie’s entire demeanor changes, and her eyes light up. “Yeah,” she sighs. “Even though I’ve only been gone since early this morning, I’ve missed them so much.”
We both climb to our feet and stroll out of the café. “Make sure you hug them for me.” I reach into my purse and pull out two small gifts, one for each of the girls. “And give them these from their Aunt Abbi.”
My little sister squeals and does a little dance on the sidewalk. “Oh my god. The girls love your presents.”
Smiling for the first time in hours, I blow on my nails and buff them on my coat. “That’s because I’m the best aunt.”
She shoves my shoulder with hers, then winks. “Let’s not tell them you’re their only aunt.”
“Shhhh, it’s our secret.”
We both chuckle as we head toward the parking lot. Callie points to her car. “I’m over there.”
I walk her to her car, beneath the flicker of the tall lights that don’t light up the entire space, grateful she parked directly beneath one like Nix and I taught her.
She unlocks her car and tosses her purse across to the passenger seat, then turns, embracing me tightly.
I return her hug and kiss her cheek. “I love you. Please look after yourself and enjoy your family.” I pull away, still holding her shoulders. “I’m sorry about to—”
She shakes her head before I can finish my apology. “Please don’t do that.”
“I feel like I ruined our night. We barely get to see each other, and I made it all about me and my problems.” Guilt wraps around my stomach like a snake, tightening and sending bile up to my throat. I swallow it down and take a deep breath. “It’s the last thing I wanted to do.”
“What are sisters for if we can’t share our burdens and our joys?
You’ve always been there for me. I’m grateful I could finally be there for you.
” She presses against me and squeezes me again.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t talk for longer, but I want you to FaceTime me and keep me posted.
” She narrows her eyes at me, trying her best to appear stern.
“And if you need a break, you can always come stay with us.”
“Yes, Mom!” I salute her. As if I would burden her more than I already have. She has her own busy life to get on with. There’s no way I’m going to add more to her plate. I kiss her cheek. “Now go. And drive carefully. Text me when you get home.”
She climbs into her car, reluctance in every move. When she’s seated, she looks up at me with raised brows. “Promise me, Sissy. Promise you’ll make him work for you. Promise you’ll call or text me when you need to talk to someone. Promise me,” she begs.
I swallow down the emotions rising like a storm and nod. “Promise.”
She grins as if I’ve given her the greatest gift, then closes her door and drives away. I watch her taillights disappear, then head to my car. My stomach free-falls at the thought of going home.