Surviving Faith (The JackholeS, #2)

by Joy Eileen

  “Hey, baby girl, are you ready to see your old man tomorrow?"

  “Yep, I can’t wait to see you,” I said, biting on my lip. I wished I didn’t have to do this, but I had to if I wanted to protect him from the truth.

  “What’s wrong?"

  “Daddy, I need to ask you a favor.”

  He always had a hard time telling me no. “What do you need?”

  “I need you to stop investigating Jason,” I said quickly, wanting to just get it out in the open, and not beat around the bush.

  My dad sighed at the other end. I crossed my fingers, not looking forward to the conversation we would have if he chose to fight me on this. There was no other alternative; I needed to convince him to stop.

  “How did you know?"

  I paused for a second, not expecting that question, and then ignoring it entirely. “I just found out. I know you're trying to look out for me, and I appreciate it; I really do. But you need to realize nothing good can come of this. I need you to let it go. I have, but I can’t move on unless everyone is with me on this.” I swiped at the tears slowly making their way down my face, wishing he’d never had the inclination to look into Jason.

  “Is this really what you want?” I could hear the anguish in his voice, which made the tears flow faster.

  “Yes, Daddy. Remember, it's us against the world, and right now I need you to move forward with me and forget the past.”

  He stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, but in my heart I knew he wasn’t going to argue. “Alright, Faith, let’s move forward. The past can’t hurt us anymore.”

  I took on a watery smile, even though he couldn’t see it, but feeling better for it, anyway. “Thanks, Daddy. I love you. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Don’t work too hard on dinner and put those boys to work. I’ll see you at the airport.”

  Having my dad include the boys in our holiday, accepting them without having met them, made me love him even more.

  “I love you,” I said, putting as much emotion into my words as I could. I wanted him to know I was still his daughter, and I needed him.

  “Love you more,” he responded before hanging up.

  Some of the weight had lifted off my shoulders, and I wiped the tears from my cheeks. I swore to myself I would make this Thanksgiving the best one yet.

  Wanting to end this chapter of my life, I texted Jason’s dad.

  I wanted to let you

  know my dad will

  have no further

  inquiries about

  Jason.

  He responded back quickly.

  Good. Have you

  considered my offer

  for the JackholeS?

  I erased his text from my phone, completely ignoring his last comment. I was finally moving forward, and I didn't want anything from my past holding me back. Those ties were now severed.

  I went to the kitchen to start prepping, since the boys had to be at the festival early. I planned on cooking everything the next night, so we could just reheat it when we got home.

  Excitement for the boys rushed through me. This would be the chance they needed to break into the industry–I was positive of that.

  As for Mr. Hutchingson, he could go suck on the fuck-off stick.

  I woke up early, bouncing up and down with excitement. My dad and Martha would be landing soon. Kill laughed at my exuberance, but I could tell he loved seeing me like this. We planned on taking D’s Highlander so we could fit everyone comfortably.

  I wasted time by cutting up fruit for the fruit salad. The music was blasting, and I was singing and dancing, letting my happy flow. Kill came in and grabbed my arms, swinging me around. He sang along with me, and everything seemed perfect.

  Jet and Amy ran in and started grinding on each other like they were in a club instead of the kitchen singing at the top of their lungs. Van and Jessie came in to investigate and began singing and dancing along. D shook his head at us, always the epitome of professionalism. We chanted for him to sing, and he surprised us all by hopping onto one of the kitchen chairs and belting out the song.

  We cheered and laughed, singing and dancing around the kitchen. I felt so accepted, and my life felt right. This was one of the rare, perfect moments you only experience every once in a while. I knew this was a memory I would think of on every Thanksgiving from here on out.

  We sang and danced to a couple more songs before Kill and I had to leave. I assigned everyone a chore while we were gone. When we left, they were still in the kitchen singing and laughing while they chopped and mixed. The sight made my heart beat with delight.

  While we waited at baggage claim, I leaned into Kill, absorbing his love and basking in the moment. When I saw my dad and Martha come down the escalator, my heart almost burst from happiness.

  Martha's long blonde hair was pulled into a French braid. She looked younger in her pink sweatpants and black long-sleeved thermal shirt. My dad was in one of his many plaid shirts with jeans, showing off his lean body with an air of authority he would never be able to shed. His face had a look of contentment. His arm was around Martha's shoulder as they scanned the baggage claim for our faces. As soon as our eyes connected, I ran to him, hugging him tightly as he picked me up, kissing me on the forehead.

  “Hey, baby girl, you look good. I missed you.”

  “Missed you too, Daddy.” I released him and turned to give Martha a tight hug.

  “How’s my girl?” Martha asked, making me smile even wider.

  “Better, now that you two are here.”

  She looked over my shoulder and arched her eyebrow. “Are you going to introduce us to that fine male specimen behind you?” she asked, making my dad puff out his chest.

  “Hey, now. I've lost ten pounds,” he pouted, flexing his arms.

  “I know you have, honey, and you look amazing.”

  I laughed and turned to drag Kill over. His eyes held a hint of nervous energy. He stuck out his hand to my dad after drying it on his jeans. My dad quickly slapped his hand into Kill’s. They smiled at each other, seeming familiar since they had already talked on the phone.

  “Mr. Annabelle,” Kill said gruffly.

  “Call me Eugene. I told you that on the phone.”

  “Kill, this is Martha,” I said, choking back a giggle when I noticed the pink tint on Martha's cheeks when Kill pulled her in for a hug.

  “It is so nice to meet you, Martha. Slick has told me so much about you,” Kill said as we walked to where the carousel was spitting out the luggage from their flight.

  My dad shot me a questioning look when Kill called me Slick. I just smiled and shrugged, too happy to do anything else. Kill kissed the top of my head before leaning down and getting the suitcase Martha pointed out to him.

  We talked excitedly the whole walk back to the Highlander. Once everything was stored in the back, we all climbed in to the comfort of the heated seats. I let my dad sit in the front with Kill so I could discuss dinner with Martha.

  We decided to take them to the hotel so they could check-in and freshen up. When they were ready, they would come back to our house so Martha could help me with dinner. Since I wouldn’t let her cook anything, she’d insisted on it. My dad and Martha went up to their room while Kill and I went to the restaurant in the lobby so they could have some alone time.

  “So, what do you think?” I asked, taking a sip of my iced tea.

  “They’re awesome. Martha cracks me up. I love how she keeps your dad in line, and I can tell they really love each other.”

  “Yeah, they are. I haven’t seen my dad this happy in a long time. Martha was the best thing that happened to him.”

  Kill frowned at me. “I disagree. You're the best thing that happened to him, and I know the feeling.”

  I blushed furiously, embarrassed by how his words flew straight to my heart. Thankfully, I was saved from having to respond when my dad and Martha walked up to us. They were freshly showered and looked rejuvenated. My dad snatched my glas
s and finished off the rest of my tea, while Martha glared at him.

  “No more caffeine for you,” she said when he set the empty glass down.

  Kill winked at me and I tried not to laugh, as my dad gave Martha his best innocent look.

  Back at home, everyone was waiting in the kitchen, excited to meet my dad and Martha. I cringed when Jet shook my dad's hand, but he surprised me by keeping his mouth shut. I expelled a shaky breath, and my shoulders started to relax as I assumed I was out of the clear.

  Silly me. Jet reverted back to his true self when he grabbed Martha and gave her a hug. "Good Job, Eugene. You’ve got yourself a very sexy lickable woman here."

  We all hit Jet in differing regions of his body. My eyes wrenched over to my dad, wondering what he would do. He stared at Jet with a puzzled look on his face.

  Martha saved the day, "Thank you, Jet. He is a lucky man. Aren't you, Eugene?"

  My dad cleared his throat, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. "I am."

  After everyone was introduced, my dad pulled me aside. "I'm so glad you chose Kill. They all seem like nice boys, but you're still my baby girl," he said, eyeing Jet.

  He shuddered when Jet kissed Amy, his tongue snaking into her mouth as she held onto a bag of sour gummy worms. I burst out laughing. Kill and Martha turned and gave me a questioning look. I shook my head. Kill cocked his eyebrow at me, and I reciprocated, silently letting him know I would tell him later. He winked, and turned back to finish talking to Martha.

  A knock sounded at the door. I did a quick headcount, making sure everyone was present. Jessie and Van were on the couch talking to D. Jet and Amy were making out on the recliner, and Kill and Martha were still talking in the kitchen. I walked over to the door, opening it to see Ryan and Denise holding up boxes of pizza and bottles of soda.

  “Come in,” I said, moving aside.

  “We wanted to meet your parents and thought you might not want to cook dinner tonight, since you’re cooking tomorrow.”

  "Dinner's ready," I announced as I followed the pizza into the kitchen.

  They passed around paper plates and plastic cups.

  "Wow, you guys thought of everything," I said, my heart bursting with love.

  "We wanted you to be able to visit. Besides, we wanted to see if you needed any help with dinner tomorrow," Ryan answered as she handed Martha a napkin.

  The boys descended on the food, and my dad eyed their vigor for a moment before grabbing a piece for himself.

  “How do you not starve?” he asked after taking a bite of his pizza.

  I laughed as we watched the boys gorge themselves. “I cook. So, normally, I eat while I do so.”

  “I take care of her, Eugene,” Kill answered, handing me a piece of pizza and a Diet Pepsi.

  Martha gave me a knowing look.

  My dad looked back and forth between Kill and me. “She needs someone to be good to her. Even though I know she can take care of herself. I raised her right, but it doesn't hurt to have help every now and then," he said, squeezing me.

  I knew my dad too well. This was his indirect way of telling me he knew about Jason-maybe not all of it–and he trusted me and my decisions. After we finished dinner, the boys decided they were going to teach my dad how to play the Rock Band video game.

  The girls followed me into the kitchen saying they wanted to help, even though they wouldn't be joining us. Denise was going over to her boyfriend’s house, and Ryan went over to Ray’s house every Thanksgiving. Jessie and Amy were coming over after the festival to spend the holiday and eat with us. Martha and I directed them in the kitchen with ease as we gave them different tasks.

  Soon, we were in a groove, singing along with the boys and gossiping while the smell of Thanksgiving permeated the house.

  Kill came in and tried to steal scraps of food, claiming he was starving, even though he’d just polished off half a pizza. I swatted him with a spatula and ordered him out of the kitchen. He kissed me on the forehead and walked out, passing my dad, who was attempting to steal food from Martha.

  "Were you expecting anyone, Slick?" Kill asked from the living room when someone knocked on the door.

  I shouted, “No,” out to him.

  Kill went to open the door, and I stared curiously when he walked back into the kitchen full of tension. He was having a difficult time keeping his annoyance in check, but the tick in his jaw was a dead giveaway. He moved slightly, and Trent stood behind him. I couldn't hide the disbelief on my face when I saw him.

  “Hi, Trent,” I said.

  Amy and Jessie greeted him awkwardly. Jessie looked at me, mouthing silently asking why he was there. I had no idea, so all I could do was shrug.

  I introduced Trent to Martha and reintroduced him to Denise and Ryan. Trent had met my dad a couple of times over the years. My dad, always the cop, could sense the tension in the room. He gave me his dad look that meant I would be answering some questions later.

  “So, what brings you over here tonight?” Kill asked, putting his arm over my shoulder.

  The gesture looked casual, but I knew it to be his subtle way of staking claim. I was relieved he took this approach instead of peeing all over me.

  “I just wanted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I know we talked about you cooking dinner at the grocery store the other day. I wanted to see if you needed anything since I was on my way to the store,” Trent replied. His eyes narrowed slightly when Kill didn't budge from my side.

  "Nope I have everything covered." I gestured to the kitchen bursting with food.

  “Are you going to make it to the concert tomorrow? Or are you just coming for dinner?” Amy asked, not reading the room at all. She was oblivious, because she’d been too busy sucking on Jet’s tongue. I groaned inwardly, trying to keep my face as passive as possible.

  “I don’t think I can make the concert, but I can definitely make dinner. I forgot to ask what time it was the other day.”

  I mentally sent Amy a signal to shut the fuck up, but she must have had too much sugar in her system shielding her from my mental tongue lashing. "I'm not sure what time dinner will be."

  I assumed most of the people in the room were also sending her signals to shut the hell up. She probably thought she was doing me a favor, because I’d told her I was making an effort to stay friends with Trent.

  I sighed as I watched my perfect Thanksgiving fall apart.

  “It’ll be later in the day. We’re one of the last bands to go on,” Kill answered. The tick in his jaw was working overtime.

  “We'll text you when we're on our way over here,” Amy said helpfully.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Martha roll her eyes at how unmindful Amy was being.

  “Sounds good. I need to get going. I have to finish a paper I’ve been putting off.” He waved goodbye to my dad and everyone else, saying he would see us tomorrow. He tried to come in for a hug, but Kill didn’t let go of me. Trent gave up his attempt, giving me a slight eyebrow raise. I could almost read his mind. His face asked me if I’d found myself in another controlling relationship.

  Once Trent left, it took a while for the strain to dissipate from the room. Jessie quietly gave Amy a lecture in the living room.

  "Leave her alone, Jess. She didn't know. I told her I was trying to mend my friendship with Trent."

  "I didn't know I was making it weird, Faith. I'm sorry," Amy said, her eyes pleading with me.

  "I know Amy. It’s my fault. I really need to grow a spine."

  We finished everything that could be done. The boys had dubbed my dad their newest band member after he murdered their high-score on Rock Band. Kill and I took them back to their hotel room so they could get some sleep before coming to the festival with us.

  CHAPTER 20

  "Morning, Slick," Kill said placing kisses down my face.

  "Uhmm. I like waking up like this," I replied, rolling closer to him.

  "Don't tempt me. We have to get going soon. You get ready. I'll go g
et your parents and take care of breakfast."

  "You have to stop kissing me, then. If you don't, you're going to be late." I hooked my arms around his neck, pulling his face to mine.

  "If I wasn't so scared of showing up with that, I just fucked your daughter look, I’d take you up on that offer." Kill jumped off me with one final kiss. "Get ready, slacker."

  In the bathroom, I took my time, wanting to look good for Kill on such a special day. Worry gnawed at my stomach, but I refused to acknowledge it. This day was going to change our future-I was certain the boys were going to be discovered. I allowed the hopeful thoughts that maybe we’d be strong enough to handle whatever was thrown at us to filter through my worry.

  After my final touches, I went downstairs to see what Kill was up to. A familiar smell hit me as I came into the kitchen. My stomach and mind revolted.

  Kill smiled when he saw me. Martha and my dad were sitting at the table drinking coffee. The edges of my sight blurred with black, and my breathing became erratic as it tried to catch up with my pounding heart.

  “Hey, Slick. I found a use for all the pumpkin you bought,” Kill said, pointing to a huge stack of orange waffles.

  Images of Jason cooking his famous make-up breakfast assaulted my brain. My stomach flared in pain. I actually looked down to see if a knife was protruding from my abdomen. Kill’s mouth was moving, but his voice was indiscernible. He sounded like he was talking to me from inside a fish bowl. Blackness continued to crowd my sight until it eclipsed my vision. The last thing I remembered was a sharp pain at the back of my head, as I hit the floor.

  I woke up in the hospital. An IV was attached to my arm and a band aid covering the inside of my other elbow. I was having a hard time staying conscious. Bits and pieces of my trip to the ER flashed through my mind.

  The pain radiating from my stomach kept removing me from reality. My head throbbed, feeling as though there might be a huge, painful growth at the back of it.

  When I was finally able to get a grasp on reality for more than a couple of seconds, Martha called for a nurse. An older woman with squeaky shoes made me drink a disgusting green liquid she dubbed the green goddess, as she smiled at me with lipstick-covered teeth.