Page 65 of The Last Goodbye

“Just excited for your big day.”

“Bass.” Her voice was serious now.

“Jovi,” I mimicked, and Cannon chuckled.

“I just came from her hotel. She’s here.” A big smile spread across her face, and my entire body relaxed in a way I couldn’t even explain.

As if I’d been wound so tight, and all at once the knot had released.

“You saw her?” I asked. “She’s in New York City?”

“I saw her with my own big girl eyes, Mr. Doom and Gloom. She showed up. She’s here. She texted me that she was at a hotel not too far from yours, so I brought her a coffee and went to see her.” Jovi dropped to sit on the bed and then glanced at the two cups on the table where Cannon was sitting. “Clearly, great minds think alike.”

Damn. My jaw was probably on the floor.

My sister was happy, and it was her big day. I couldn’t ask for more.

“I’m happy for you,” I said. I sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, then rubbed my knuckles into the top of her scalp.

She squealed and flailed her arms before jumping to her feet in a fit of laughter. “You’re the worst. You can’t give someone a noogie on their graduation day.”

Cannon rubbed a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. “I believe he just did. And it sounds like it all worked out. Happy for you, Jov. You ready for your big day?”

“Yes.” She turned to look at me. “I wanted to tell you the news in person, so I thought I’d get ready here. I already showered, so I just need to do my hair and makeup and get dressed. Then I’ll go meet my friends an hour before we head to the commencement ceremony.”

“All right. The bathroom is yours. I’ll catch a shower when you’re done, and then we’ll meet you over there.”

“I need to go take a shower myself,” Cannon said as he stood. “I can’t be smelling like a barn for your big day. I’ve never even heard the words ‘commencement ceremony’ before now, so clearly I need to look the part.”

Jovi chuckled as she disappeared into my bathroom with her backpack and garment bag.

I clapped Cannon on the back. “Thanks for the talk.”

“Always. And what do you know…it all worked out.”

It sure did.

The next few hours went by in a blur. Jovi was dressed and ready and out the door, and I took a quick shower before meeting everyone downstairs in the lobby. We arrived early, since Gracie and Tatum were determined to get good seats.

I’d shared the news that my mother was apparently here, and we even saved her a seat.

I still had some hesitation that she’d actually get her ass to the ceremony, but the fact that she’d flown across the country and made that effort—it was a big surprise, so maybe she’d actually pull this off.

Cannon started waving his hands, and I glanced over my shoulder to see my mother walking toward us. She looked good, though I could tell she was nervous by the way she was fidgeting with her hands. She said hello to everyone before making her way down to the end of the row to the empty seat beside me. I wanted to be near the aisle so I could stand up to take some photos when it was time.

“Hey, Bass.”

“Hi, Mom. Glad you could make it.” I cleared my throat because it had been a long time, and this was uncomfortable.

“Me, too. I didn’t want to miss this.” Her voice was quieter than usual, and she glanced at me. “I know I’m not your favorite person, but thank you for helping me make this happen.”

The graduates started filling the chairs in the center of the arena, black caps and gowns flooding the room. I scanned the place, looking for Jovi, as Gracie and Tatum started cheering and pointing to my sister. Cannon put his fingers in his mouth and whistled so loud that everyone around us laughed. Jovi was waving her hands, making sure we could see her, and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. I picked up my phone and snapped a photo before she disappeared into the sea of people taking their seats.

I was still processing my mother’s words as she sat quietly beside me.

“Don’t give me credit. This was all you. I had nothing to do with it.” I forced a smile as I glanced at her.

She narrowed her gaze, not hiding her confusion. “Do you hate me that much that you can’t even allow me to thank you for doing something nice for me? Even if you only did it for Jovi, I can still say thank you.”