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—Holly—
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The sun rose over Portland, staining the sky in brilliant hues of orange as the jet took off from the private airstrip. I loved my life in the city, and while I also loved going back to the Falls, I never imagined needing to sneak back there with my tail between my legs. Especially knowing that small-town gossip would be rife.
Dad clearing his throat pulled me from the view. “Are you hungry?”
I hummed. “A little.”
He adjusted in his seat in front of my rear-facing one. He’d hardly spoken to me since last night. He’d barely glanced in my direction this morning, and when he did, sorrow marred his expression despite him trying to mask it with a tight smile. It broke my heart to see the disappointment in his eyes.
“I can grab you something if you want?”
“It’s fine, Dad. Honestly.” More worrisome things than hunger currently consumed my mind. “Does Mom know?” I asked, scared for the answer.
“No,” he stated.
Things hadn’t been great between them for a while, but Dad seemed extra distant.
“Was she not home when you left?”
He glanced my way, barely meeting my gaze before turning his attention back to the rising sun. “She’s away on another girls’ vacation.”
I scoffed. “Where this time?”
“Palm Springs.”
Nowadays, Mom is hardly around. Once me and Sawyer left home, she seemed too busy with herself to remember she had a family.
Dad was as loyal as they came so stuck by her through the bullshit. That saddened me though. I wanted to see him happy again. For the scowl to be gone and the deep sighing replaced with the rolling chuckle he barely used now.
Crushed, I dipped my focus to my hands. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry for her actions, Holly.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with my drama when you’ve got stuff going on with Mom. That’s not fair.”
He reached over the table between us and patted my hand. “Don’t let that bother you, Bunny. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, you’re my priority right now.”
Re-gathering guilt squeezed in my chest. “You shouldn’t have to, though. I mean, I’m technically an adult... even though I don’t want to be at the moment,” I grumbled.
A wry chuckle came. “Being an adult is the toughest gig you’ll ever have. Some things are learned the hard way, and unfortunately, you’ve discovered that this week.”
I sighed. The hangover still plagued me, and I shifted in the leather seat, trying to get comfortable.
Dad glanced away again while I fussed. “How long have you been dating Isaiah?”
“Aah...” My mouth dried, forcing me to pause and nervously work my tongue around. “Not long. We... Things aren’t serious. Well, they weren’t before all this.”
“I see.” Dad’s lips pursed and his fingertips lightly drummed on the wooden grain between us.
Hating that I’d let him down, I angled away and stared out the window as Portland quickly became scenery. The entire situation fucking sucked, and while I held out hope that Isaiah would fix it as promised, I couldn’t help but doubt him.
“Well, the only way out is through,” Dad declared after a minute of silence.
I scoffed. “Scout told me that already.”
A smile tugged at Dad’s mouth. “It’s a good saying. Gammy used to say it every time me or my brothers were going through a rough patch. Whether it was at school, in our social lives, or to do with a girl, Gammy was always right: the only way out is through.”
“Still sucks,” I muttered.
“Certainly does.”
I squinted against the sun’s glare as Henry banked the plane, heading for Gatlin Falls.
“I’m gonna grab something. Sure you don’t want food?” Dad asked.
While I had a mild appetite, my stomach churned. “Uh... maybe a plain bagel? I don’t think I can stomach much more than that.”
The amused little tug at the corner of his mouth lightened the mood. “There’s a fine line between waking up drunk and feeling like death warmed up. I’ll make you coffee too.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I relaxed into the now-warmed leather as Dad left his seat and headed toward the rear of the jet. With my head back and my eyes closed, the scent of the upholstery faded. I exhaled, trying to rid some of the tension locked around me. It seemed like days ago my life got turned upside down, not hours.
If by dating Isaiah meant more of the damning exposure, then I didn’t want it. I wasn’t cut out for harsh criticism. I could stand up for what I believed in, but deep down, I was kind and expected the world to reciprocate the courtesy.
When a rogue tear rolled down my cheek, I swiped it away while keeping my eyelids closed. I dozed until Dad bumped my shoulder, jolting me awake.
“Here’s coffee, Bun. And a plain bagel. Dry as fuck, as you requested.”
I forced a tired smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
He disappeared for a few seconds, then eased himself into his seat opposite and laid out his breakfast before him.
The pinch in his expression made me pause mid-sip. “Has something happened?”
“No,” he stated, toying with his coffee.
I set mine aside too. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s nothing, Holly. Just your mother.”
Disappointment rushed through me as I eyed my plain-ass bagel. “Is she pissed?”
Dad shot me a sharp look but nodded. “Of course she is, because how dare you interrupt her vacation by creating such drama?” he deadpanned sarcastically.
“Yeah, because I ruined my life on purpose just to embarrass her.” My dry bagel hit the polished table. “Is she going to come home early now?”
Dad shook his head. “Doubt it.”
Selfishly, a wash of relief swept through me. While firm, Dad had an ever-present sense of calm about him. Mom, on the other hand, set me on edge at the mere thought of being in the same house as her again. There was a reason I moved to Portland as soon as I graduated college with a degree I wasn’t ready to use yet. Freedom. Plus, Scout was there with the Bears, so I didn’t feel entirely alone.
“That’s some loud thinking, Hols,” Dad drawled.
“There’s a bunch of things to think about,” I replied through a yawn.
He hummed while swallowing a mouthful of salmon and cream cheese bagel. “Always is. Have a nap; we’ll be landing before you know it.”
I sighed and reclined my seat back; napping sounded like a mighty fine way to pass the time, as well as the hangover.
With my eyes closed, my thoughts returned to Isaiah, and I couldn’t help but fantasize that he would somehow come through on his promise and everything would miraculously turn out okay.
