“They’ve missed you.”
Part of me still carries immense guilt for leaving them without saying goodbye. They’d been so good to me.
The silence weighs heavily between us until I exhale.
“I know. I feel fucking terrible, man.”
Kai makes a face.
“You did what you had to do. I never told a soul why you left, but my parents knew you’d taken off with your mom.”
My stomach twists at the mention of his parents, my mind moving to my father. Like he’s read my mind, Kai shakes his head.
“He didn’t die, Crane.”
My head snaps up, my heart hammering in my throat at those four words.
Four words I’d waited to hear for so long.
Cradling my head in my hands, I feel Kai’s hand on my arm.
“No one has seen him for years.”
“But he didn’t die?” I whisper, lifting my eyes to his.
Kai shakes his head.
“I only know because Mom said she heard he’d moved out of town recently. But, you know what women are like, gossips—the lot of them.”
The thought of my father walking around without a care in the world makes me want to smash my fist into his teeth. The only thing that kept me sane all this time was the thought of him being dead.
My mother still thinks she is a murderer.
Fuck.
“You okay, man?” Kai checks, leaning back when the food arrives.
Despite the flight, I’ve got no appetite, but I pick at the fries just so my fingers have something to do.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” I nod at him, not wanting to dull what should be an otherwise happy time.
“Sierra’s a teacher.”
I knew I’d have to hear her name today, but I didn’t expect it to hurt so fucking bad.
“Is she?” I smile, hoping my best friend can’t see through me. “Good for her.”
Kai nods, his mouth full of food.
“Yeah, it’ll be good for everyone to see you. You’re staying with us, right?”
“If that’s still okay. I’m cool if not; I can grab a hotel?—”
Kai reaches out to grab my arm, shaking his head.
“No way, man. You’re my best man. My buddy. It’s so fucking good to see you.”
“You too, man.”
