“Can’t wait to see you home and better,” I confess.
Finn shoves his hands into his pockets. “Me, too.”
When we leave the complex, I follow my parents to their car, but freeze as they open the door. “Wait,” I call out to them, and they look back.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to tell you something.”
My dad frowns. “What’s the matter?”
I suck in a breath, my eyes bouncing between the two. “Me and JJ are together.”
Neither of them says anything for a long moment until my father steps forward and presses his hands to my shoulders delicately. “Sweetheart,” he whispers. “We know.”
“Oh.” I pull my head back an inch. “You do?”
“You haven’t been so subtle over the last three weeks.” My mother smiles.
I remain quiet as I try to gather thoughts. “And you’re okay with it?”
“You’re both consenting adults,” she says simply. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
My shoulders raise. “Because of Finn, and everything before.”
“You’re capable of making your own decisions, honey.” She steps towards me. “Regardless of what happened in the past. We want you to be happy, too. But maybe just wait a little to tell Finn until he is home and settled.”
“I wasn’t going to ambush him with it,” I admit. “I know he needs time to adjust first. But I wanted you guys to know.”
“Well, thank you for telling us,” my father says. “And I hope he makes you happy.”
My cheeks heat, but I smile through it. “He does, Dad. So much.”
“Good.” He shoots me a wink. “Only the best for my girl. Come on. Let’s go grab some pizzas and head home.”
My mother nods, but there is clear reservation in her eyes. Not all of the family is here, and with Finn missing, it’s taking a toll on them.
“Yeah, sure.” She attempts a smile.
“We can have more pizza nights together when he’s home,” I comment. “Make up for the time he’s been away.”
“You’re right, honey.”
On the drive home, we grab pizza and sit around the table, with JJ by my side. Finn’s letter burns a hole in my pocket, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to read it yet.
CHAPTER 50
JJ WOODFORD
After twenty-eight days, Finn is finally coming home.
If the doctors believe a short-term program is best for him, I’m not going to argue. We all know we have to come together to do better and support him in any way we can.
Andrea and James went to pick him up, and Ivy went to see Daisy because of the anticipation.
The second the front door opens, I push myself up from the kitchen stool and walk towards my best friend as he enters with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
“Hey, man.” I smile, drawing him into a hug. “How are you doing?”
