Me:
I need to see you tonight. We need to talk.
Palisade:
Okay. My parents can watch Casey. What’s this about?
I stared at the message, trying to figure out how to explain over text that I was about to blow up my career for her. That I was still angry but chose her, anyway. That everything was about to change.
Me:
Us. This whole mess. What happens next.
Palisade:
Okay. Come by at 8.
I pocketed my phone and started the truck.
Tomorrow, I’d issue the statement that would change everything.
Tonight, I had to tell Palisade what I was about to do.
And hoped she understood what I was choosing and what it was costing me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Easton
Palisade’s porch light was on when I pulled up at eight. Through the front window, I could see her father on the couch with Casey, the two of them watching something on TV. Normal. Peaceful. Everything in the past two days hadn’t been.
I sat in my truck, trying to organize my thoughts. What was I about to say?Hey, I’m about to tank my career for you. Hope that’s cool?Or maybeI’m still angry about the years you stole, but I love you anyway?
None of it sounded right.
I got out of the truck before I could overthink it anymore.
Palisade opened the door before I could knock, like she’d been watching for me. She looked exhausted. Her hair was in amessy bun; she wore yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt, no makeup, with dark circles under her eyes.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
“Hey,” she said softly, stepping aside to let me in.
“Hey.”
In the living room, Coach Honors looked up and gave me a nod. Casey was curled against his side, already in her pajamas, eyes heavy with sleep.
“Dad,” Casey said, perking up when she saw me. “Grandpa and I are watching a movie about penguins.”
“Yeah?” I crouched down next to the couch. “Which one’s your favorite?”
She pointed at the screen. “The baby one. He keeps falling down, but he gets back up.”
Something in my chest twisted. Of course, that was her favorite.
“That’s a good one,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You being good for Grandpa?”
“Very good,” Coach Honors confirmed. “We made popcorn and everything.”
