This moment might have risked everything I’ve worked for over the last month, but I don’t care. I’d do it all over again for her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
REED
You can learn a lot about a person from their childhood bedroom.
Judging by the trophies that line the top of her oak dresser, Hailey likes soccer. And the cork board tucked behind them with a dozen different push pins through the photographs? Dean really is her best friend. Was, I guess.
A crack of thunder rattles the window. I never did close the blinds, and dark clouds form an angry vortex in the sky. A summer storm is coming.
Her chest shudders in the cradle of my arms. This was not the date night I had planned for us.
Grenaldough’s pizza still sits uneaten on the counter. She cried herself to sleep shortly after he left, and I don’t know if she wants me sleeping in here too, but I couldn’t leave her that way.
I notice goose bumps along her shoulder and drag the edge of a patchwork quilt made of old high school T-shirts up to her neck.
She’s sentimental.
There’s a patch on one of the corners that saysBald EaglePowder Puffswith a screen-printed camo football below the lettering. I didn’t have to see this one to know she’s tough.
The way she allowed herself to open up to her dad tonight. To getthatvulnerable, knowing there was a good chance his words would hurt her, was another level of bravery altogether. I’ve never done that with my parents.
For a long time, I assumed we all had our scars from our youth. And that we heal them by moving on. Doing better for ourselves as adults.
But if there’s anything I’ve learned since leaving home, it’s that the past follows you wherever you go. You don’t get to hide it away when it’s in a glass box of insecurities. There’s no key to lock it shut and throw it thirty feet deep in a lake. You actually have to face it.
For me, I don’t think I’ll ever feel worthy until I tell my father I still think about that day.
I’m a hypocrite though. Offering advice to Hailey and Jack when I haven’t even called my parents since I got here.
In a slow, continuous movement, I drag my arm from beneath her head, transferring her to the nearest pillow. Then I slip from the room and make my way to the front porch, careful to keep my footsteps light.
The phone rings four times before he picks up. “Reed?”
“Hey, Dad.”
“It’s good to hear your voice, son. How’s the job been?”
Exhausting.Exhilarating.Hardest thing I’ve ever done. “It’s been great. How’s everybody else?”
“Oh, you know your mom. Always filling up the schedule.”
So do you, I want to add.
“How are Rex and Ronny?”
I ask to be polite. I know if I don’t, he’ll tell me anyway.
“They helped me get the restaurant shut down for the season last week.”
Of course, he brings up Bear Shore from a question like that. At least with the place winterized, it guarantees six months before I have to hear about it again.
Nice,is all I say back until our conversation hits a lull and he clears his throat. “So, uh, has your crew heard about that fire in Warren? A news reporter claims it’s up to 64,000 acres.”
“Yep. Been working on it since it started,” I say.
“Really? Are you okay?”
