She was sure that her parents argued on occasion. They didn’t agree on every single thing every day, but to their credit, Amanda had never actually witnessed a fight between her mother and father. If and when they were mad, they’d waited until they were alone to hash it out. There had been a few icy morning breakfasts but for the most part, she was blissfully unaware when her parents were mad at each other.
“She’s madder than a wet hen as Dad would say,” Colt laughed. “I kind of feel sorry for the guy.”
“I don’t,” Brianna declared. “He shouldn’t be flirting with other women. You don’t do that when you’re married.”
“That’s why I’m never going to get married,” Colt shot back at his sister. “Too much of a hassle. I’ll happily stay a bachelor.”
“Who would marry you?” Brianna said with a groan. “You’re annoying and childish. No woman is going to want that. If Mom and Dad want grandkids, I’m their only hope.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Lulu said, a devilish grin on her face. “I can see Colt with three or four kids because he forgot to wrap it up in the heat of the moment.”
“I always wrap it up,” Colt protested. “No glove, no love. In fact, I was with a girl the other night and she said I didn’t need to use a condom because she was on the pill. I said no way. I always use one no matter what.”
“Was this girl inflatable?” Lulu asked, clearly trying to keep a straight face.
“She was a real, live woman,” Colt replied, his tone heavy with sarcasm. “And she was totally into me. She’s sent me several texts already today.”
He held up his phone, but Lulu just rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. Looks like their argument is done. She’s gone inside and he’s coming this way, so try to act like we weren’t watching and listening.”
Even though they totally were. But Lulu was right. Although the couple was airing their dirty laundry in public, that didn’t mean that they were happy about it. In fact, Marty didn’t look happy at all, stomping through the parking lot towards his vehicle, a dark expression on his face. To her horror he stopped in front of their group, his gaze darting from one person to another.
“I am sure you all heard that. Let me give you some advice from an older person who has lived a few years longer. Don’t get married. Don’t do it. I don’t care how in love you think you are. Trust me when I say at some point, you’ll be screaming at each other because you can barely stand the sound of her voice.”
Amanda didn’t know what to say and apparently, no one else did either. They sort of just nodded politely, not sure where he was going with this.
“She may not want to talk to me now but she’ll fucking talk to my attorney in the morning. I’m done.”
With that Marty strode to his car at the end of the row, hopped in and drove away, the tires squealing on the way out.
“Damn,” Josh said. “So much for marital bliss. They act like they hate each other.”
“Maybe they do,” Lizzie replied. “Not every marriage is happy.”
“Then get out and get a divorce,” Lulu said. “No sense being miserable. Life is short.”
It made Amanda’s love life problems seem inconsequential. Silently, she made a promise to try and make it work with Derek.
Or she might avoid love completely for awhile. It would be much more peaceful.
“Sweetheart, I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”
The request was from Maddie’s father who had also shown up tonight to support Tanner. The fundraiser dinner was over and most people were beginning to make their way to the exit. Tanner was standing at the door, thanking them for coming and shaking hands.
Maddie looked around for Amanda but didn’t see her. She was probably with all of the other kids.
Kids? They’re adults now and I can’t believe how fast it went. I guess that makes me old.
“Now, Dad? I should probably be with Tanner—“
“Please,” her father said. He had a strained expression on his face which made her heart squeeze in her chest. Last year he’d had a brush with prostate cancer, although the doctor said it was caught early and all was well. But…he wasn’t getting any younger and she worried about him a great deal. “This is important.”
“Of course,” she said, her gaze darting around the room. “Why don’t we sit down at one of these tables and we can chat? Is Gwen joining us?”
Gwen was Maddie’s stepmother, a lovely woman who made her dad very happy. Luckily, they all got along together and enjoyed each other’s company. Maddie was glad that her father wasn’t alone anymore as he’d been when she was growing up. He’d put aside his own life to raise her before venturing out to find another partner after her mother had passed away. Her father was her hero. He’d been a terrific and loving parent. No one could have asked for more.
“Uh, Gwen is waiting for me in the car,” he said, lowering himself into a chair. “She said not to worry about her as she’s going to call her sister in Asheville.”