“Thanks a lot, man.”
I have no idea if anything will come of Jonah’s inquiry, but I breathe a little easier for the rest of the day knowing I’m at least doing something.
~ ~ ~
I stayed away yesterday like she asked, even though all I wanted to do after work was drive to the cabin. But today is Saturday, and the shop is only open until noon. I race home like a kid on his way to the school dance and pack a few things.
“You sure you don’t mind me coming home late?” I ask Christian when I drop him at Dax’s place.
His eyes roll. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
I get out of the car and carry his overnight bag into the building. “You know it’s not because I don’t want to spend time with you, right?”
“Let’s see.” He taps his temple as if deep in thought. “Hang out with your son, who’s just going to ignore you in favor of a video game, or spend time with the girl you’re hot for. There’s no real choice there.”
I narrow my brow. “ThegirlI’mhotfor?”
“Sorry.” He laughs. “The woman you’re in love with,” he says in his best game show host voice.
I step back. “You think I’m in love with her?”
I mean, Iamin love with her. But I wasn’t aware I was that obvious about it.
“Dad? Seriously? You aren’t fooling anyone. And honestly, I’m happy for you. You deserve to be happy.”
“Iamhappy.”
“I know. We have a great life. But I’m practically an adult now. It’s about time you do something for yourself.”
I ruffle his hair knowing he’s way too old to be hair-ruffled, but I do it anyway. “You’re pretty great.” I drop his bag in thefoyer. But I give him one stern reminder before I leave. “No going back to the house, okay? No parties.”
He gives me crazy eyes. “As if.”
I point at him. “And you can go to Bug’s house only if Asher or Allie are there.”
“I wasn’t born yesterday. I do know the rules.”
“You’re also a Cruz. As a group, we tend not to follow them. Especially as teenagers.”
“Dad, please go. I’m fine. I won’t set Uncle Dax’s apartment on fire, get drunk, or get anyone pregnant, okay?”
“Fine.” Pulling out my wallet, I hand him a twenty. “For dinner. I know Dax doesn’t cook.”
“Thanks, but I’ll probably eat at Bug’s.”
My head shakes. Because of course he will.
The entire way to the cabin, my body is thrumming. I’ve only been away from Kenna for a day and a half, but that’s far too long in my book. She knows I’m coming. We texted last night. Or more specifically, I texted her. She responded, and I can tell she wants to see me, but I also get the sense she’s keeping her guard up. She’s still convinced she’ll have to leave. And I’m still going to do everything in my power to keep that from happening.
My good mood immediately wanes when I arrive at the cabin and Kenna opens the door wrapped in a blanket, looking like death warmed over.
I step inside. “Jesus, what’s wrong?”
“I’m sick.”
“Why didn’t you say anything yesterday?”
She shuffles back to the couch and slumps onto it like she has no energy whatsoever. “It wasn’t that bad yesterday. Hit me like a truck today.”
