“Sit down, baby.” I lifted my head to where she patted the mattress.
I made my way over and sat on the very edge of the bed. Her arms wrapped around me and pulled me back until I collapsed in tears on her shoulder.
“I’ve dreaded this day,” she sighed, rocking me back and forth.
“Do you know,” she began before pulling back and grabbing my tearstained face. Her smile was sad as she held my watery gaze. “Do you know that when you were born, your father told the nurse to take the bassinet out of my hospital room, because why should you be alone in that thing when you didn’t have to be.” She chuckled. “His exact words. You were fed, changed, and returned right back into his arms. I swear, your feet didn’t touch the ground until you were two.”
She laughed and brushed the hair away from my face. “He loves all of us, but you? His baby girl? His sun has risen and set on you for eighteen years, and he put you on the highest pedestal he could. But I always knew.” She cupped my chin. “The day you came down, it would be with a loud crash.”
“But I can’t stay a kid, and he won’t let me see Dylan and wants to get him in—”
“He’s angry. He’s upset and said some things he probably shouldn’t have, but if you leave this house tonight, you’ll break his heart.” Mom kissed my temple. “I’ll work on him, you won’t have to stop seeing Dylan.”
My eyes widened as I gaped at my mother. “You’re okay with this?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “I don’t know about okay. We’ve talked about this before. Dylan is a lot older than you. Eight years, at this point in your life, is a huge difference. But, he’s not some random older guy. I know him pretty well, and for him to take a chance on all the repercussions being with you entails, and the devastation on his face when your dad said you had to stop, it’s a lot more than just a fling. I think your father saw that, too, and it scared the crap out of him.”
I nodded and swiped away the tears with the back of my hand.
“And as for …” Mom trailed off and nodded to the bed. “It wasn’t good judgment, but I had a boyfriend at eighteen who I was madly in love with and … well, we were lucky enough not to be caught.”
A smile ghosted across my lips. I loved my mother. I loved my father, too. I’d already broken his heart, and it seemed as if my days of being his Peanut were over, and I’d have to somehow make peace with that.
“I love him, Mom. And he loves me, too. We just …”
“I know …” She tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “But I think you guys need to cool it for a couple of days. Not stop, but let it blow over. I’ll talk to Dylan. Maybe you could go for a drive with one of your friends or to Tommy’s today. Some space and distance will do everyone good.”
I nodded, because what other choice did I have? A minute ago, I’d been ready to leave and never look back. But, although I was staying, I had a bad feeling nothing would ever be the same.
31
Dylan
Nickand I stared at PJ’s door for what felt like a long eternity.
“I never meant to hurt you or Ellie,” I finally said when I’d found my voice. “Believe me, I’ve tried to fight it, but I love—”
“Does Jack know? Did you make both my children lie to me?” His jaw clenched tight as he stepped closer.
Even when we’d gotten into trouble as kids, Nick had been stern but never like this. Since he’d seen me over PJ’s shoulder, at the both of us laughing and half naked, he glared at me with a disdain I hadn’t thought I’d ever see from him. If I weren’t Jack’s best friend, I’d be nursing a cracked jaw right about now.
“He does. He’s not thrilled about it, but we talked, and he relented, a little anyway.” I lifted my head to his crossed arms and ticking jaw. “He wanted us to tell you before you caught us.”
Nick nodded, his gaze vacant and cold. “A warning would have been nice. Seeing anyone come out of my daughter’s room would …” His chest heaved as he trailed off. “But someone I not only knew, but trusted?” He inched toward me, letting out a long breath through flared nostrils before he lifted his head to mine. “I need you to leave my house.Now.”
Our eyes locked, and I wanted to respect him, at least this one time. But until I knew PJ was all right, my feet were speared to the carpet.
“I will, as soon as I make sure she’s all right.”
Our heads swiveled toward the click of the lock.
“Is she okay?” I rushed over to Ellie before she closed the door behind her.
“She is,” Ellie whispered with a sad smile. “She’s not running away.” She sighed and gave her husband a quick side-glance. “But I told her everyone needs to cool it for a couple of days. So, I’m asking you to leave and … take a break.”
“Take a break?” My hand raked through my hair in panic. “I can’t take a break from her, Ellie.” Had my voice just cracked? I was about to bawl in front of them both but didn’t give a shit. “What is she going to think?”
“I told her this was the best way, and she agreed.”
