“You have all the power, Hollywood.” I don’t give a damn if Coach hears my encouragement of Ivory. She has endured more than anyone. She deserves to be happy. I’m glad to give her the safe space to explore what that means for her.
“We didn’t plan this. It just happened. Ivory is a rock for me as much as I am for her. I wouldn’t have survived this isolation without her.”
Coach’s hard approach fizzles at our confession.
“I’m sorry for blowing up. I saw the post and all the traction it is getting and it surprised me. I don’t want anything to hurt you, bug. Especially those goddamn cockroach paparazzi.”
Ivory laughs, breaking the last of the tension. Her shoulders shake against my chest. I can’t help but crack a smile too.
“What’s so funny about that?”
“Preston called them cockroaches too,” she explains.
“Maybe he’s not so bad then,” Coach grumbles, but I hear the smile in his voice. He needed to know that his baby girl was safe. I can understand that.
“He’s the best,” Ivory confirms.
“Fields, keep taking care of my girl. If anything happens, you’ll be in more trouble than you already are.”
“Yes sir, Coach.”
Coach and Ivory exchange a few more pleasantries before Ivory ends the call collapsing back into me. I spin her around to face me so I can fully embrace her in my arms. I hold her tightly and rest my chin on her head.
“I’m sorry about that.” A heavy sigh falls from her lips as she strokes my forearm.
“Don’t.” Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, then moving down to speak directly into her ear. “Don’t apologize for him. You did nothing wrong and I won’t have you thinking you did.”
“He didn’t handle it the best. He’s not a bad man.”
“I know that. He’s a grown man. He is responsible for his actions and his words.”
“He could have used nicer ones.” I bark a laugh.
“I’ve heard worse from him.” Ivory smiles into my neck. “I’m proud of you, though. You stood up for yourself.”
“He’s my dad. It’s different.” She downplays it.
Tipping her head up with my fingers, I bring her eyes to mine. She needs to hear this.
“It was still a big step. You can only take your power backone step at a time. You did that today. You can do anything, Serentia.”
It’s the second time I’ve let the term of endearment slip, but it fits. She’s my calm in the storm and I’m the storm at her back. But, she’s a force all her own. I can’t wait to see what she does.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Preston
May 31
“Can we see some of those waterfalls we passed on the way to Caracol today? They looked massive from what I researched.” We’re laying in the hammock watching the sunrise.
“Your wish is my command.” Pressing a kiss to her temple, I think about all that we have marked off our list already.
The day after the blow up with Coach, we explored El Pilar, north of San Ignacio near the Guatemala border. The ruins themselves are in a 5,000-acre archaeological reserve. The whole experience blew my mind. Much of the site was hidden in the forest so we had to hike to see it. Even still, we didn’t see everything. Yesterday, we visited Cahal Pech overlooking the cities of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. The panoramic view was stunning. Ivory took my breath away as she looked out over the landscape. I couldn’t help but sneak a picture of her. Her hair blew in the breeze and she looked so peaceful standing on the precipice of something big.
Without much left to do in this region , we’ve talked about moving to our next destination sooner. I don’t want this time toend. At the same time, I want to pack in as much as we can over what remaining time we do have.
“Do you need to check in with your non-profit?” Ivory tips her face up to mine. Having her this close and looking at me with those bright eyes, I need to kiss her before I can answer.
