The Lies I Believed

How Dare You!

"Hey, I'm gonna go. Vincent's been asking weird questions since I got here. My flight isn't for another hour, but it's best I skedaddle now."

"Aww, that's too bad." I hugged Hayden. "I'll see you tomorrow then. We leave in another two hours."

"Nice. I'll probably be out Sunday, but I can definitely have dinner with you guys."

"I'd like that. We haven't had dinner together in a while." I spotted Vincent heading towards us. "He's coming over, so you better go. Love you."

"I love you, too."

Hayden disappeared in a flash. Vincent bounded up to me and asked where his uncle had gone. I shrugged and said he had to be somewhere. He didn't ask anymore questions, but I could tell he was a bit disappointed. I can't blame him. I wish Hayden could have stayed a little longer, too.

"Where's your father?" I asked.

"He's inside packing the rest of his things," Vincent said. "He said he would join us pretty soon."

"Good, good." I put my arm around Vincent's shoulder. "You don't mind I threw this party, right?"

"Of course, not, Mom." He laughed. "It wasn't much of a surprise, but I love how you put a lot of thought into it all."

"Stop growing up so fast!"

"I can't help it! Blame Dad!"

We shared a laugh and I urged him to talk to his friends. He wouldn't see them for an entire week. Unless he and Asher opt out of girls' week and fly home early. I wouldn't mind that. More time for me to fawn over expensive things and not buy anything. It's hilarious to see the look on everyone's face when I look like I'm going to buy something, but I end up changing my mind and walking out.

"Did you miss me?" Asher hugged me from behind. I heard a camera go off somewhere behind us.

"No." I chuckled. "Did you finish packing?"

"Mhm, and I put everything into the car, so we wouldn't be delayed any further."

"What are we going to do about the party?"

"Diane and Tasha promised to come over after we leave to break it up." Asher turned me around. "Bridget is going to come by in the morning and take everything down. Diane said she would make sure she does just that and leaves."

"Why do you always think of everything?"

"If I don't, who will?"

I couldn't argue with that. My mind isn't what it used to be. I keep forgetting a lot of things and I did forget about how we'd handle ending the party. I invited a few selected reporters with a promise of adult drinks and an exclusive. I don't know what they're expecting. Asher's the one with the busy CEO life.

"Are you gonna stay for the entire week?" I asked.

"Probably not. I don't want Vincent missing too much school," Asher said. "And I miss Mocha. We haven't seen her in so long. Why does Diane always choose to keep her for weeks on end?"

"Jordan's always MIA. She has no one to spend time with. It's better a dog than her own children who pretend she isn't their mother."

"I kinda feel bad for her. She isn't such a bad person. Maybe she did some questionable things in the past, but I'd rather she be my mother than my own mother."

"Ariane isn't that horrible of a mother."

"If she can't make it to Vincent's party, I think that makes her a horrible mother."

"That's just wishful thinking," I muttered. "Once she hears I'm coming, she'll probably make up an excuse not to come."

"Be optimistic. Maybe she'll try to get along with you."