Chapter 10.07

“Thank you, Messyhair—it’s beautiful,” she leaned against me and kissed me. “I’ll have to thank Amber too,” she laughed.

“How did you know?” I asked, surprised.

“I didn’t,” she smiled. “I was just teasing you—but I guessed right,” she laughed. “You slipped up.”

I laughed—she always managed to surprise me with her sharp mind. I adored her.

I drove her home, then headed back and packed up. Amber and Brad were already at our place.

“Did you have a good New Year’s?” Mom asked. “Jane really seems happy. And you do too,” she added cautiously.

“I am happy. I haven’t regretted this change for a second,” I said, hugging her and kissing her forehead.

“I’m glad, son,” she smiled. “No more family weddings this year, right?”

“No, Mom, you’ll have to wait a few more years for that. But maybe the ring will happen this year,” I summed up.

“Dad,” I turned to him as he packed things in the kitchen. “Did you really set me up with Shannon?” I asked, smiling.

“So, you found out,” Dad sighed, motioning for me to sit. “When you applied to that faraway school, it was obvious to most of us that it wouldn’t work,” he added as I settled across from him. “But I hoped, that somehow, with the long-distance relationship, you might manage to survive it. I was worried about Jane too... how she’d handle your jealousy from so far away. But I couldn’t predict everything. I decided to give it time—watch, and see when I’d need to step in.” He sighed. “When you broke up with Jane, we all knew—you’d made a big mistake. And we knew you wouldn’t be able to manage it alone. So when I saw you at the airport, I texted Shannon and asked for a favor.” he smiled “I needed someone who disliked you enough and was open enough to push you to rock bottom. The little girl could have done it too, but I didn’t want to involve her. I wanted you to hit bottom—but under my supervision. So I had to accelerate it.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me not to apply there?” I asked, puzzled.

“We tried,” he said. “Brian did. Uncle Steve. I did. But even your love for Jane couldn’t stop you—you were set on that school. And if we’d flat-out told you not to go, you would’ve thought we were the ones keeping you from being happy. And you would’ve applied anyway—just to prove us wrong.” He sighed “Jane also knew how big of a mistake it was—that’s why she wanted to move with you. Unfortunately, Julie never shared that idea with me. If she had, maybe I could’ve done something… stopped her from ruining her life.” He smiled faintly. “But you handled it—in your own way.”

“You’re right, Dad,” I admitted quietly. “I didn’t care about anyone else. All I could see was my dream—going to that school. But Jenny was right, back on New Year’s Eve.” I chuckled “ My dream wasn’t the school—it was becoming a vet. I set it up all wrong.”

“Jane’s been able to read you like an open book since the day you met,” Dad chuckled. “I’m just glad you finally reached out to her.”

“Then why did you tell me not to look for her?” I asked, confused.

“To let the jealousy sink in,” he laughed. “I needed it to get under your skin.”

“Thank you, Dad—even for involving Shannon,” I said with a smile. “I actually congratulated her, too.”

“You’re welcome. Hopefully, I’ll never need to do it again,” Dad smiled.

“Definitely not. I’m in the right place now,” I added.

“Yes,” he said gently, “I can see that.”

We were still eating lunch when Jenny rang the doorbell.

“Come in, dear,” Mom said cheerfully as she opened the door. “Join us?”

“Sorry if I came too early,” Jenny said as she sat down at the table. “With Adam’s family here, we probably ate earlier than usual.”

Mom served her soup while the rest of us were already eating the main course.

She thanked her and started eating.

“This is delicious, Mrs. Simmons,” Jenny said with a smile.

“What makes you think she made it?” Dad asked, watching Jenny’s reaction with interest.

“She always makes this soup, and it has exactly the same amount of salt as it did before,” Jenny replied.

Amber stood up and disappeared into her room.

“She’s right,” Dad grinned. “Better brace yourself, son.”

“Well,” Amber returned with the envelope. “Let’s see how much bracing my brother actually needs.”

“What was the bet?” Mom asked. I quickly explained.

“Amber, open it and read it out loud, please,” my girlfriend smiled.

Amber unsealed the envelope and began reading.

“Messyhair,” Amber read aloud. “Kevin has a new girl in his life—that’s why he changed his hairstyle, though I already mentioned that at your place.”

Brad chuckled, while Jenny quietly continued eating.