“I think it’s time for you to go, Reeve.” Mom steps up, pulling me into her arms. I cry into her chest, clinging to her like I used to do when I was a little girl and I’d skinned my knee, needing the comfort only a mother can give.
“I’m sorry, Viv. More than you can know. I’ll give you some space, but I’m not giving you up.”
“You don’t have a choice.” I lift my head, pinning him with bloodshot eyes. “You gave up on us a long time ago—you just didn’t realize it.”
Simon walks forward, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks for dinner, Lauren, and I’m sorry for all of this.”
Mom stares at Reeve’s dad with narrowed eyes. “Perhaps, if you were around more for Reeve, he wouldn’t feel like he needs to sell his soul to be a success just so you’d be proud of him. You’re not innocent in this either, Simon.”
Dad walks up, circling his arms around both of us, and I’ve never been more grateful for my parents’ love and support as I am now. I know this is going to be one of the most painful things I have ever done. I’m going to miss Reeve more than I can describe. But as he walks out the door with his father, I know there can be no going back.
Reeve and I are over, and there is nothing he can say that will ever change my mind.