“His temper is why we stopped being friends,” my dad says with a note of remorse, deflating my teasing into something serious.“Hal and I were closest in middle school, and, yeah, we did get into some trouble.Nothing serious.Setting off fireworks.Trespassing on abandoned lots.Nothing that involved the courts or anything.Just dumb stuff.
“I went to Norton Academy, like your brother.It’s where I met Samantha.She’s from Wentworth.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
“Yeah.She’s from a wealthy family and planned to attend USC.”
“Then why’d she stay in Hollis?”I don’t understand.
“For Hal.They met when she and I were still dating.The three of us used to do a lot together.But he had a short fuse and an explosive temper.And as many times as I tried to talk him down or get him out of the situation, he chose violence every time.I couldn’t be friends with a guy like that.The last straw was the summer before our junior year, when he shoved some guy off the cliffs because he didn’t like the way he was looking at Sam.The guy hit his head and nearly drowned.I had to jump in after him.”
I stare at my father in shock.
“Sam thought we could help him.She didn’t understand why I gave up on him so easily.I knew they still talked, even when he and I didn’t.But I couldn’t get pulled in by him anymore.It was probably the only thing Sam and I ever argued about, and it changed us.We agreed to end our relationship halfway through our senior year.It would’ve happened eventually.We both knew long distance wasn’t going to work with me in Rhode Island and her in California.Except…”
“She didn’t go.”
He shakes his head.“She chose him.Changed the trajectory of her entire future to stay in Hollis with Hal.Her family revoked her trust fund.They were so upset with her; they stopped talking to her.She didn’t have anything or anyone.Just him.I didn’t know until I returned home after my first semester and found out they were engaged.”
“Wow.”This sounds like a book I’d read, not true life.
“Yeah.So, you won’t be surprised when I ask you to not follow Jonathan to college, right?”We stare at each other.He gives me a sympathetic smile.“I like him.I do.He’s notexactlylike his father.But he is still… a Reeves.He seems to always be pulled in by something, whether he starts it or not.I’m asking you not to stay in this relationship past graduation.Discover who you are.Figure out what you want foryourlife.Don’t allow his to become yours.”
“It won’t.”And I mean it.But I’m not promising anything else except that I’ll make the decision that I believe is best forme, and that may still include Jonathan.“Would you disown me if I stayed with him?”
It’s my dad’s turn to look shocked.“No.Of course not.”He sets his hand on top of mine on the counter.“I love you.There’s nothing you can do to make me stop loving you.”
He opens his arms, and I let my dad hug me.He kisses the top of my head.“Be smart, okay?Make sure that whatever you decide, you can still look at yourself in the mirror and see yourself looking back.”
“I will.”I pull away.“I’m going to my room, okay?”
I need to process this, and I can’t do that in front of him.Their situation is nothing like ours.This isn’t history repeating.At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.Jonathan isn’t his father.And my family is too important to me to cause a rift.
Before I’m out of sight, my dad calls, “Sadie?”I turn.“Drive yourself to their house on Saturday.”
I give him a curious look.
“I want you to be able to leave whenever you want.If you feel uncomfortable at all, come home.Listen to your gut.Don’t second-guess it.”
I’m still confused.“What do you think might happen?Do you still not trust Hal?”
He takes a breath before answering, “I trust you.”
“What are you saying, Dad?”I study his face, but he’s too guarded.
“I admit I don’t know him anymore.Hal garners a lot of respect professionally.He’s created a reputable business over the years with Samantha.But I do know that Jonathan and Hal don’t always get along.And the last thing I want is for you to get in the middle of their issues.You aren’t responsible for their relationship.Leave if you’re uncomfortable.You won’t change things by staying.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Ihad the strangest dream Friday night.Jonathan, Collin and I were at the cliffs, like we are every summer.Then it became just Jonathan and me, and we were kissing.When I pulled away, his dad was standing over us, which freaked me out.I stood, and I was alone with Hal.He looked so angry.Almost disgusted.In the distance, my dad was running down the path, trying to get to me.I felt this sudden spike of fear, like something awful was about to happen.Just before my father reached me, hands shoved me off the cliff.As I fell backward, it wasn’t Hal watching me fall.It was Jonathan.
The falling sensation woke me.My heart racing.The Maiden’s words dancing in my head:“You are the only one who can see the truth.”
Even though the details of the dream, more like nightmare, faded throughout the day, the feel of it stayed with me.I couldn’t shake the fear and dread that felt like stones in the pit of my stomach.By the time I pull down Jonathan’s long, dirt driveway and park in front of the house Saturday evening, I’m so anxious, I have the hiccups.I rarely get them anymore.I’ve been practicing breathing techniques to keep calm, especially before performing.Not today.At the absolute worst time.
I was just here last week, but I was too distracted by Jonathan’s appearance to take notice of much else.Now, I stare up at the looming two-story home with the wide stone steps that lead to a porch running the length of the house.The house I’ve never stepped inside all the years we’ve been friends.
I draw in a deep breath just as a hiccup violently rattles my ribs.
