Tyson exhales, then says, “So who’s going next?”
“I will,” I say. I have a pit in my stomach, knowing that Lainey is going to kill me. I look at her and take a deep breath. “Okay. So I know this is an odd choice, but just hear me out—”
“Oh, Christ,” Lainey says. “Are you taking us somewhere cold and remote?”
I smile nervously and say, “No. It’s neither cold nor remote. In fact, it’s quite hot there. And there are easy direct flights.”
She brightens a bit. “Is it near water?”
“Well…there are some springs….”
“Springs? Oh! Like a geyser? Is it New Zealand?”
I brace myself, then spit it out. “No. It’s Dripping Springs. Texas.”
She stares at me and says, “Is this a joke?”
“No, but we’re also going to Dallas. Which has a lot of very nice hotels.”
“What the actual fuck,” she says. “Veto!”
“No vetoes,” Tyson says. “Your rule.”
“Well, I’m not going to freaking Texas.”
“Lainey, I know you’ve always wondered about your sisters,” I say. “And that this secret has weighed on you. We just thought it would be cathartic to finally—”
“We?” Lainey glares at Tyson. “You were in on this?”
“It was my idea,” I say.
“Well, it’s a shitty idea,” Lainey says.
“But what if you meet them and love them?” I ask her. “Isn’t it worth a shot? Just think, you’d have family—”
“They won’t love me,” Lainey says, shaking her head.
“Listen. You aren’t responsible for your father’s decisions any more than they are,” I say. “Maybe you can give them a chance and see if they can rise to the occasion. It’s a big hole in your life, Lainey.”
“I don’t have any holes in my life. I’m fine,” she says. “I’m great.”
I glance at Tyson, my expression pleading.
“We know you’re great, Lainey,” he says. “But I think Hannah’s right about this—and I know you’ve toyed with the idea over the years.”
“Not really,” Lainey says. “Not that much.”
I nod, then press on. “It must be hard, though—especially since losing your mother. But just imagine if you meet your sisters and end up being close to them.”
She rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s giving the idea some consideration.
“Ugh,” she finally says. “This is the lamest pick of all time. Seriously. You have the whole globe to choose from, and you pick Texas?”
“We don’t have to stay there long,” I say. “Just long enough to tell them the truth—”
“Because the truth will somehow set me free?” Lainey rolls her eyes.
“Something like that, yes,” Tyson says. “Even if you don’t end up having an ongoing relationship with your sisters, I bet you’ll feel a tremendous sense of relief to let go of this secret. And you deserve that. For yourself.”
Lainey lets out a long sigh, then says, “Fine. Whatever. I’ll do it. But it’s not going to go well. Mark my words.”
“It might not,” I say, knowing that part of what she’s doing is protecting her pride, putting on her armor of indifference. “But if it doesn’t, you’ll be no worse off than you are now.”
She gives me a reluctant nod.
I smile and remind her that we’ll be there with her every step of the way.
Then, before she can change her mind, Tyson tells Lainey that it’s her turn. He smiles, adding, “What tropical beach are you gonna make me go melt on?”
“Well, smart-ass,” she says, her face brightening a bit. “I’m actually not going to pick a beach at all.” She pauses, keeping us in suspense. “As it turns out, you two aren’t the only martyrs around here,” she says.
Tyson smiles and says, “How are we martyrs?”
“Because you picked for Summer. And Hannah picked for me. So I choose Paris. For Hannah.”
“Oh, Lainey,” I say, feeling so touched.
“If you don’t think Paris will make you too sad?” she asks.
