Everything & More (Book 1 in the E.C.N Series)

Chapter 62-Martha

"I-I don't know." I said with clear uncertainty in my voice.

"Oh come on, it'll be fun!" Lori exclaimed as she tried to convince me to go to a New Years Eve Party happening at one of the clubs.

We were currently in my living room. I was on the couch with my feet tucked underneath with Ryan sitting beside me. Even though it seemed as if he was focused on the tv, the fact that Lori was pacing back and forth in front of it was a dead give away that his attention was really on us. That and the fact a small ghost of a smirk appeared on his lips every time I told Lori no.

She halted right in front of the tv blocking our view completely, "Ryan, tell her it will be fun."

He looked over to me with a knowing face, as I narrowed my eyes, "Don't even."

"Sorry Lor can't help." He said with a shrug, he knew I didn't want to leave the house.

Lori groaned in disappointment, "I don't get why you won't come out. Paige is spending the New Years with Jonathan anyway. Why do you insist on ringing in this New Year alone?"

"I'm not alone, I have you guys." I said matter-of-factly.

Lori looked around like I was talking about other people, "Uuhh...no you don't, I want to go to a New Year's Eve party. What about the one Ryan's friend is throwing? What's his name again? Greg...Gary something."

"Garrett." Ryan said, trying to look past her.

"Why did you have to tell her?" I whined as I shoved Ryan's shoulder.

A light chuckle left him as he put his hands up in a defensive manner, "I figured I would just mention it at least."

Lori was pouting in her stance waiting for me to change my answer. I didn't see what was the big deal of me ringing in the New Year at home in my comfy pjs. Though I also knew why Lori didn't want that for me. It would be my first New Years without Paige since she was born. I thought it was a good idea to show Jonathan that I trusted him enough to take her for an extended stay after seeing how well Christmas went. I still do. It was proving that we could co-parent especially around the holidays.

"Fine!"

Lori leaped up with the brightest smile. "Okay that means we have to start getting ready, Ryan you go get dressed and meet us there in a few hours. Text me the address."

"How long is it going to take for us to get ready?"

"We need to ring in the New Year correctly... which means it's going to take time. Now everyone, Vamos!" She said clapping her hands for people to move as she gave them their marching orders.

~~~~~~

"Ow." I swear she got skin that time.

"Sorry." She's not.

"Ow Hey!" Yea she definitely got skin. I'm probably bleeding by now

"Hold still, I'm almost done."

I huffed out a breath getting ready for the next trigger of pain, "If you aren't done in the next 5 minutes..."

"Would you relax, I'm just trying to get the incoming hairs."

"I literally got my eyebrows done last week." I said throwing up my hands, not before she smacked them back down to be able to put the tweezers back on my face.

"Exactly and there are little strays that have already made their way back to the surface."

My skin was stinging hoping she would hurry up and be done. "And last one." With that she plucked, "Oh Shit!" I exclaimed, putting my hand to my eyebrow and rubbing the tears from my eye.