“What’s so funny?” Eric asks as I pull my plate closer to me.
“Nothing.”
Truthfully Lainey reminds me of myself before everything I ever believed was shattered to hell by every narcissist that manipulated me. I used to be outspoken like that before I would be gaslighted into oblivion for having a voice. Now, I’m just now remembering what it’s like to have an opinion. When I’m with Eric, though, I know it’s different. I’m different.
After my dad and Lainey go round and round on every topic under the sun, Eric and my dad argue over who is getting the tab, and ultimately my dad wins because he knows the waitress. We all head out and dad rumbles on and on about how he needs to go pick up mom from her Sunday afternoon book club.
I roll my eyes. My hippie parents are paying a mortgage, golfing, and going to book clubs. Never thought I’d see the day.
“I like your dad,” Lainey says as she opens the door to Eric’s truck, sliding into the backseat.
“Oh really?” I ask, hiking one of my eyebrows up when I turn to look at her, causing her to giggle.
“Yeah, really. He took my arguing like a champ. That’s how you know someone’s got spunk. You just tussle with them for a bit, see if they back down.”
“Well, I can tell you that Shaun Dahl will argue until he’s blue in the face. Even if he’s wrong, you’ve met your match there.”
She smiles wide, laying her head back against the headrest, “What about you? You got any fight left in you?”
I look to Eric, who is already glaring at Lainey in the rearview mirror, practically warning her not to start her shit.
Lainey stares back at him but darts her eyes to me instead, “So, how long have you been wet for my uncle?”
“Lainey!” Eric booms.
“No,” I whisper, turning around in my seat, “That’s none of your business.”
“It’s Hanna’s, though, isn’t it?” She spits.
Eric starts to intervene, but I beat him to it, “Hanna fucked this up all by herself, and if you must know…Yes, I’ve always been jealous of Hanna.”
Lainey smirks, “I knew you had something in there you’ve been holding in. Eric is a great catch. How women don’t bow at his feet like royalty blows my mind.”
Eric’s face turns a little red, “Lainey, that’s enough. You’ve made your point.”
“Have I, though?”
“I think you have….” Eric warns, causing Lainey to possess a satisfied look on her face.
“I told you that she loved you, E. Women don’t just stomp through a failed wedding venue looking for their best friend’s missing ‘almost’ husband.”
Love?
Wait? Other people picked up on my feelings for Eric before I even did?
“I was looking for Eric because he was the last person on the planet that deserved what happened. Best friend or not, the whole thing was a shit show.”
“It was a fucking disaster,” Lainey corrects.
Eric slows down for a red light, adjusting the rearview mirror so he can see Lainey in the back seat, “Could you not say fuck? I know you’re getting older, but I still see a three-year-old little girl when I look at you.”
My heart fills a little when he scolds her. He really would make a great father. He should’ve been one, I think to myself.
To Ellie.
Lainey pulls her hand to her forehead, saluting him, “Ay ay, captain.”
Eric and I both laugh, but my laughter is mixed with tears that sting my eyes. Would I ever be enough for him? No matter how hard I tried to shake the feeling, the insecurities lingered inside of me.