Who We Could Be - Chelsea M. Cameron Page 0,19

a cold cloth on her forehead as she sprawled on the couch.

“Tell me who you need to contact. I can pretend to be you.” She listed it off, and I used her phone to start sending messages. I also put in asks for refunds, even though I knew what the answers were probably going to be. I didn’t give details, just that the wedding was off, and could they see it in their hearts to grant even a partial refund?

Even though it was a small wedding, I spent a long time going back and forth with the various vendors. There really should be some kind of app for this so you could write one message and it would go to everyone and deal with the responses. Maybe I’d create it.

“Can I have some privacy?” Monty asked when she decided it was time to call her parents.

“Yeah, I should probably like, go home anyway.” She’d been progressively pulling away, and I knew Monty enough to know that she needed some space. I didn’t think she was in danger of being alone, so I gave her a hug and made sure to take the rest of the alcohol with me when I left so she wouldn’t get any other ideas about getting drunk again.

“How is she?” Mom asked when I walked through the door. She was a secretary at the local high school, and my dad managed the hardware store, so she was always the first one home.

“I mean, we got really drunk on coffee brandy and cancelled all her wedding shit, so I think she’s okay? I also have all her wedding gifts in the trunk of my car so she doesn’t have to see them.”

Mom crossed her arms and tsked. “I can’t believe he did that to her. What a fucker. I swear, if I see his mother, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind for raising a piece of shit.” I didn’t doubt it. And if she saw TJ, I could imagine the words she’d have for him too.

“Can you not, until I talk to Ford about it? I don’t think she wants her best friend’s mom to do that. I think she just wants it to go away right now.”

Mom glowered, and I almost wanted to run away as if I’d done something wrong. She hadn’t raised three men to adulthood without mastering being utterly terrifying with just one look.

“I can respect that. But just say the word and he’s done. Done.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”

I put a hand to my pounding head and then flopped over on the couch. I’d been taking care of Monty and it had taken a toll.

“You okay?” Mom put her hand on my forehead, as moms were wont to do.

“Just tired. I couldn’t sleep at all because I was worried she was going to wake up and now I’m just exhausted.” She stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.

“You’re a good friend, Tessa. I’m so proud of the way you care for Monty.” That made my heart swell a little bit. “How about some comfort food?”

“That sounds great.” I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the couch cushions.

Sure, I was a grown-ass woman, but I still loved when my mom made me a grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough and a bowl of canned tomato soup with oyster crackers on top and a glass of iced tea. Pretty much the perfect lunch combination.

“Thanks, Mom. This is perfect.”

I had a little more energy after I ate, but I still needed sleep, so I took a nap and when I woke up, Dad was home and watching the news from his recliner.

“Hey,” I said, my voice scratchy. It must be late. I shouldn’t have slept so long. Oops.

“Hey, how are you doing? I heard about Tessa, that’s terrible.” I sat up and waited for a little dizzy spell to pass.

“Just tired. I should check on her.” I grabbed my phone from the coffee table, and I had a message from Monty, asking how I was doing.

Fine, just took a nap. You?

I mean, she was one the one whose life had kind of gotten blown up.

IDK anymore. I slept a little. Not sure what I’m supposed to do now. Don’t want to see anyone, but I don’t want to be alone.

That was a little worrying.

Come over. My parents won’t bug you. Stay over and then you won’t have to be alone.

If she didn’t want to, I’d go back over to