“I think we should leave the past where it is and move on with our lives. I know I’ve been chasing ghosts long enough.”
“Me too.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Storm
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked Jessica.
We sat in my truck outside my parents’ house. They lived in town and there were plenty of other cars on the street, which gave me enough cover that I didn’t have to walk up to their house right away. Which was good because I wasn’t ready to face them yet.
“I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as you’re expecting. They’re just going to be happy that you’re not dead somewhere.”
I took in a deep breath and said a quick prayer that this would all go smoothly. If I could have that relationship back with my parents, I would feel just a little more healed than I did yesterday. And with Jessica by my side, I was pretty sure I could do this.
I stepped out of the truck and waited for her to come around to my side. Taking her hand, I led her up the path to the front door and gave a quick knock. I felt sick to my stomach and the racing of my heart was sending my whole body into overdrive. I felt like I might pass out. I was just about to turn around and head back to the truck when the front door swung open.
Staring back at me with shock on his face was my old man. He looked a few years older and didn’t look as happy as I once remembered him. My mouth dropped open to say something, anything, but I couldn’t even begin to think of what to say. And then my dad pulled me into his arms and squeezed me so tight that I didn’t think he was ever going to let me go. And I about fucking broke when I felt his tears on my shoulder.
Finally, accepting that I was really here and this was happening, I wrapped my arms around my dad’s back and hugged him like I hadn’t done since before I left for the war. Years had passed, but he was still my old man and I needed to know that he still loved me and was glad to see me.
When he stepped back, he wiped the tears from his face and I did the same. I was just about to say something brilliant, like hi or introduce him to Jessica, when I heard my mother’s voice.
“Hank, who’s at the door?” Her eyes widened in surprise and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God. Nick?”
I felt Jessica slip her hand into mine and squeezed. My mom practically shoved my dad out of the way and then I was hugging her. I looked to my dad, but there was no anger in his eyes like I had expected. I always thought that if I came home, I wouldn’t be welcomed. I had never expected this. She pulled back and cupped my face in her hands.
“You look too thin. Come inside and get some food.”
“Mom, Dad, I brought someone here for you to meet.” I looked to Jessica and a blush spread over her cheeks that almost matched her hair. “This is Jessica. She’s….she’s the reason I’m here.”
My mother quickly snatched up Jessica’s hand and dragged her into the kitchen, eager to know all about the woman that helped get me back home. My father watched them go and then turned back to me.
“That’s one damn fine looking woman you’ve found.” I nodded and he looked at me curiously. “Jessica Rabbit?”
My face split into a huge grin. “That was my first thought too.”
“So, she brought you home.”
“Let’s just say she helped me pull my head out of my ass.”
I was just about to follow them into the kitchen when my dad gripped my shoulder. “We were never mad at you, son. I’ll admit, I didn’t understand why you walked away, but we just wanted to be sure that you were okay. After Mike died, you just stopped calling. We never heard from you. Your mother was so happy to see you at the airport…” He ran his hand across his jaw, something I remembered him doing a lot when I was growing up. “Your mother was heartbroken and I didn’t know how to help her.”
“I never wanted to hurt her. I just didn’t know how to deal with all that anger.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Just don’t do it again.”
“I won’t.”
He jerked his head toward the kitchen and we stood in the doorway, watching Mom and Jessica making something at the counter.
“So, your mother is ready for grandkids.”
I snorted, rolling my eyes at my dad’s not so subtle hint. “Dad, we’ve only known each other a few weeks. Neither of us are even ready to talk about marriage or kids.”
He held up his hands and accepted his defeat. “Fine, fine. I won’t say anything else.”
We stood there in silence for a minute. I mostly watched Jessica’s ass, and I had a feeling my dad did too. Dad, being on a mission from Mom, didn’t give up so easily.
“You’d make beautiful kids.”
Storm Page 25
