Chapter 22 The next day when I landed at New York's airport , of all the fucking luck , I ran straight into Tanner's group returning from their trip . I'd heard they planned to be gone for a month , but apparently they'd cut it short by two weeks . When our eyes met , Tanner looked like he'd seen a ghost . Even Harper stood there with her mouth hanging open . After the world's most awkward staring contest , Tanner finally snapped out of it as I started to leave and jogged over . " Drielle , you're flying back today too ? " The shock in his eyes was unmistakable , and he couldn't filter his thoughts fast enough . " I almost didn't recognize you just now . I had no idea you could look like … damn , you look incredible . " " Thanks . " This was the first time Tanner and I had been apart for longer than a week . But as reality hit me , I realized something liberating - it didn't fucking matter at all . I had zero interest in playing catch - up . I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the exit , my heart pounding with a mixture of fury and vindication . Mom was waiting at arrivals , and I speed - walked toward her like my life depended on it . She'd just taken my luggage when Tanner's voice called out behind us . The audacity of this guy - he'd actually followed me . " Drielle , why are you running away like that ? " " Hey , Mrs. Marlowe . Drielle , you must've gotten your acceptance letter too , right ? My parents are throwing me this whole celebration thing . " " Oh , and didn't we talk about our families doing a joint party ? My parents already booked the country club . " Mom didn't respond right away . She glanced at me - clearly pissed off and staying silent - then stepped in to handle it with her trademark diplomacy . " Tanner , we've decided against throwing Drielle a party . " " I'm drowning at work , her grandmother's in the hospital , and we just can't manage it right now . We'll do something quiet with family when things calm down . " " Please thank your parents for thinking of us though . " Mom's explanation was perfectly gracious , but I could hear the ice underneath . She only knew the surface level - that Tanner and I had fought and that he'd completely switched his college plans . I hadn't filled her in on the gory details , but she was clearly unimpressed with his life choices . Tanner rubbed his nose awkwardly and asked about Grandma's condition . Mom gave vague answers and politely declined his offer to share a ride home , then basically dragged me away before I could say something I'd regret . At the hospital , I learned that Grandma needed surgery at a specialist facility in Washington D.C. , and everything was already arranged . I immediately volunteered to go with my aunt to help care for her . Ever since Dad passed eight years ago , Mom had been running the company solo and was completely burned out . 19 30 % Chapter 22 Since I couldn't contribute much to the business anyway , spending my last bit of summer break doing something actually meaningful felt right . That same day , I flew to D.C. with Grandma . Which meant I obviously missed Tanner's big celebration . And honestly ? I'd never felt more relieved about missing a party in my life .