Page 75 of Until the Last Star Fades

Riley laughed. “She’s a grown woman making puppets—what do you think?” She rolled the nut between her fingers.

“Is Casey free? What’s Erika up to?”

“Mom, you’re trying to get rid of me?”

“I’m not! But at least your friends will keep you busy. Better than sitting here…”

I’m so down, I just want to hide. “I feel awful. I hurt him, Mom.”

“Honey, he’ll be fine. In time, he’ll realize it was for the best. No one should be with someone who doesn’t love them.”

“I know, but…”

“Besides, he’ll be so busy with graduation and prepping for the NHL, he’ll barely have time to think—and if I know his parents, they’ll be popping champagne corks over your breakup.”

What?! Riley scowled.

“You know what they’re like—God forbid Josh blows his chance at the NHL. I was dreading the day he ended up in the minor leagues and you got blamed.”

“Mom!”

“Well, they wouldn’t blame him, would they?” She nibbled on a spinach leaf. “I spoke to his mom on the phone two weeks ago.”

“Why?”

“I haven’t talked to her since their Fourth of July barbecue two summers ago. I thought with your engagement I should say hi, welcome to the family, that sort of thing, but she had a few choice words to say about him proposing.”

“Really? But Josh said—”

Maggie shook her head. “She thought Josh was getting too serious too quickly. They were worried he was becoming too dependent on you, always mentioning you and Minnesota in the same breath like he couldn’t imagine moving without you. She called you ‘his security blanket’.”

“Nice! I’m no better than an old stuffed toy.” Riley abandoned the walnut on her plate. But…he was hell-bent on me going with him. Her tight expression loosened. “Actually, she might have a point. I know he loved me…and he worked harder than I did to save what we once had.”

“I’m sure he loved you, honey, but he wanted you to be something you’re not and you just grew apart. It’s sad, but it happens all the time. That doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel a sense of loss. At the end of the day, you did the right thing—for both of you. It takes a strong person to walk away. I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”

“He’s always been in my life.”

“I know, but this is for the best. There’s nothing you should feel guilty about.”

If only.

Maggie stole the walnut from Riley’s plate.

Thank God Mom’s eating. Every meal was hit or miss. A text from Piper lit up Riley’s phone.

On break but wanted to share what Case and I wrote for the crowdfunding page. Let us know if it’s okay. Also sending Maggie pics for approval. If all good, we’ll post. Luv ya.

Lowering the phone into the lap of her jeans out of Maggie’s sight, she quickly read the call to action. It was to the point and upbeat without getting too in-your-face personal with information or emotion that would make Maggie cringe. Riley glanced up. Her mom was blissed out on gorgonzola and spinach, chewing with her eyes closed. If she mentioned the donation page, Maggie would probably say no. It was her last hope. Riley’s thumbs flew over the screen.

Post it. Share it.

• • •

A white platter heaped with crispy waffle fries and dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets bumped a plate of cheese-swamped nachos on a table set for two.

With a Disney-worthy smile, Ben delivered his best server’s spiel. “Enjoy your meal, and if you need anything else, my name is Benjamin!”

Nuggets shaped like dinosaurs! A real grin fought past the fake one Riley had painted on since leaving her mom’s. He remembered.