New Beginnings (Forever and Always #15)

by E. L. Todd

  “It’s not cancerous—yet.”

  “Fuck.” My dad never cursed. He covered his face for a moment while he breathed through his emotions. “And I turned my back on her…”

  “You didn’t know,” I whispered.

  He fumbled with his keys to get the door open.

  I snatched them away. “I can drive, Dad.”

  He didn’t argue with me.

  I got the passenger door open and put him inside. “I’m going to get Scarlet. I’ll be right back.”

  He wiped his tears away and nodded.

  Now I felt like a fucking asshole for dropping a bomb on my dad like that. I walked to the end of the driveway then got my wife out of the car.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  I threw the cash at the driver. “I’m driving my dad to my mom’s.”

  “You told him?” She hit me on the shoulder.

  “I had to. He was going to sleep with that woman.”

  “You don’t know that,” she hissed.

  “You didn’t see the make out session.” I pulled her to the Jeep and put her in the backseat.

  My dad pulled himself together but he still looked broken. Wordlessly, I drove to my mother’s house a few miles away. My dad had his head pressed to the window the entire time, his eyes closed.

  When we reached the house, my dad was the first one out. He rushed to the door then banged his fists against the wood. “Diane, it’s me! Open the door.”

  I held Scarlet’s hand while we waited.

  My mom opened the door, her glasses on. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “What’s wrong, Andrew?”

  He pulled away, tears in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Judging by the recognition in her eyes, she knew what he referred to. “I didn’t want you to come back to me because of it. I don’t want your sympathy.”

  “But this changes everything. Diane, we could have gotten through this together. It’s not your fault you behaved that way.”

  She started to cry. “You aren’t in love with me anymore. You wouldn’t have left me if you were.”

  “That’s not true,” he said firmly. “Of course I’m in love with you. I just couldn’t handle how much you were hurting me…but if that was why, we can work through it. We need to get you to a specialist so we can treat it.”

  “It’s not cancerous.”

  “Maybe now it isn’t,” he snapped. “But that could change. You should have come to me.” Tears fell down his face. “I don’t know what I would do without you…”

  She heaved a sob. “I just…I didn’t want you to come back to me this way.”

  He cupped her face and pressed his head to hers. “I love you. I love you with my whole heart and I don’t want anyone else for the rest of my life. Marry me again. That is how I’m coming back to you.”

  She wiped her tears way with the back of her hand but more tears fell. “Andrew, are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. We’re in this together. You’ve improved so much with your medication. You’re the woman I married. I miss her…”

  Her eyes softened.

  He reached inside his shirt and pulled out a golden necklace. On the chain was his wedding band. He yanked it off and slid it back onto his finger. “I’m yours again.”

  She held his hand and brought it to her face, feeling the metal against her skin. “I’m so sorry, Andrew.”

  “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have given up on you. I promised to be by your side no matter what.”

  “I didn’t blame you for leaving, Andrew. I was a horrible person.”

  “No,” he said gently. “You were just lost.” He brought her to his chest and let her cry into him.

  I tried not to get choked up while I watched them. I wasn’t an emotional guy, but their reunion was making me sympathetic. When I looked at Scarlet, tears were falling down her face.

  My parents clung to each other like they’d never let go.

  “I’ll bring your car back tomorrow, Dad,” I whispered.

  He either ignored me or didn’t hear me. The only thing in the world that existed was my mom. His face was pressed to hers while they cried together, finally finding their place in each other.

  “I don’t think he minds, Sean.” Scarlet pulled me away, wiping her tears on the back of her hand.

  We got into the Jeep then pulled away from the house. I knew my parents were going to get nasty and I didn’t want to see or hear any of that.

  “I’m glad they’re back together.” She finally calmed her emotions and stopped crying.

  “Me too.”

  “You did good, Sean.”

  “You aren’t mad at me?”

  “I think you’re fucking crazy, but something good came out of it. So it’s okay.”

  I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t ever leave me.”

  She gave me a serious look. “Never.”

  9

  Hazel

  I changed my outfit five times before I found something decent. But after I made my decision, I realized my hair looked terrible so I had to take care of that. I was a wildfire that couldn’t be contained. What would his parents think of me when they saw how untamed I looked?

  Flynn waited for me on the couch, playing with his phone. “You are making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be.”

  “I just want to make a good impression,” I said from the bathroom. I tried to curl my hair, but of course, my hair never did what I wanted it to do. Typical.

  “Then be yourself.”

  “Easier for you to say…” I muttered under my breath.

  “I heard that.”

  “What do I tell them I do for a living?” I gave up on my hair and walked into the corner, which was the living room.

  “The truth…?” Flynn eyed me like I was crazy.

  “That I’m a poor dancer? Yeah, they’ll love that…”

  “My mom is a dancer.”

  “Oh. She is?”

  “Well, she used to be. It’s how my parents met.”

  “Oh.” I felt a little better.

  “Just because they are rich doesn’t mean they are snooty.”

  “I didn’t assume that…”

  “Yes, you did. Remember, Sean and Mike are just as loaded and they are some of the humblest people I know.”

  “Yeah…”

  “So, you ready to do this?”

  No. Not at all.

  Flynn could read my face. “Have you never met a guy’s parents before?”

  “I met Kyle’s…”

  “Did that not go well?”

  “They didn’t hate me but I don’t think they liked me either.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I was just never good enough, I guess.”

  “Well, my parents aren’t like that. I promise.”

  I was still nervous.

  “And I don’t care what they think, alright?”

  “Yes, you do,” I blurted.

  “For the most part, yes. But if they are out of line, no. We shouldn’t even be having this conversation. My parents will love you, Hazel.”

  “Why? I’m nothing special.” I knew I shouldn’t let my own insecurities be a factor in this but I did anyway.

  “You are to me,” he said simply. “I’m not trying to be insensitive, but you shouldn’t let your past relationship ruin your entire existence and confidence. You’re basing all your worth on his treatment of you. You shouldn’t let it affect you that much. And not to sound cocky, but I could have whatever girl I wanted but I chose you. I haven’t been in very many monogamous relationships, but that’s what I wanted from you from the beginning. So really, you are pretty damn special.”

  I felt better. Flynn was always good with words to stroke my ego. “Thanks. And
you are cocky.”

  “You want me to show you cocky, right here right now?” he threatened.

  Actually, I did. I loved having sex with him. It was the best. “I don’t want to have sex hair when I meet your parents. And I certainly don’t want to be late.”

  “Then you better watch your mouth.” The playfulness was in his eyes.

  “I’ll watch it…until we get home.”

  His eyes darkened in heat. “I look forward to it.”

  We left my apartment and headed to the street. We hardly took a cab anywhere and just walked.

  “Anymore cockroaches?” he asked.

  “No.” I shivered just thinking about all the legs they had.

  “You know…I don’t have any of them at my place.”

  “Don’t rub it in,” I snapped. “They are nesting in my bathroom.”

  He held my hand and rubbed his fingers over my knuckles. “And I have a lot of space…”

  “Yes, you’re rich. I know.” I rolled my eyes.

  He glared at me. “Hazel, why don’t you just move in with me?”

  I stopped walking on the sidewalk. “What? Me?”

  “No, the cockroaches,” he said sarcastically.

  Did he really just ask me that? “But we’ve only been dating for three months…”

  “I know.” He shrugged. “I don’t measure time or put any meaning on it. When you know, you know.” He continued to hold my hand. Judging by his silence, he was waiting for me to say something.

  “I…I don’t want you to ask me just because you feel bad for me, Flynn.”

  “I’m not,” he said quickly. “I’m using it as an excuse more than anything else.”

  My relationship with Flynn was perfect. I didn’t want to ruin it by going too fast. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  The lines on his face told me he was disappointed. “May I ask why?”

  “You’re the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I don’t want to ruin what we have by making a hasty decision.”

  He still looked disappointed. “I don’t think it would ruin anything, but if that’s what you want, I accept it.”

  Now I felt like a bitch. “Flynn, I love you so much. I just—”

  “You don’t need to explain yourself,” he said simply. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I just…don’t want you to think that I’m not serious about us.”

  “I know how you feel about me, Hazel. I feel it every time you kiss me.” He released my hand and put his arm around my waist. “It’s okay. Really.”

  Nothing else was said as we made our way to Central Park.

  “Should I know anything about your family before I meet them?” I asked.

  “No,” he said simply. “They are pretty laid back.”

  “Okay.” Now I wasn’t nervous because I felt bad for rejecting Flynn. I knew I’d love to live with him. I didn’t get enough of him as it was. Doing little things like sleeping with him every night would be wonderful. Just listening to him breathe would be a lullaby to lull me to sleep.

  When we reached the park, Flynn walked down the path then waved to someone. “There they are.”

  “Oh god.”

  “Showtime, baby.”

  “I’m going to faint.”

  He tugged me along. “You’ll be fine.”

  “I’d rather fight a cockroach than do this.”

  He just rolled his eyes.

  When we reached them, both of his parents stared at me. They were tall. Even his mother was almost six foot. I felt like a midget standing next to them. Now I knew where Flynn got his height from.

  His mother had dark brown hair just like her son, and the artic eyes immediately reminded me of Flynn’s. His father was thin and had green eyes, but his face structure was similar to his son’s. Flynn was a perfect combination of each of his parents.

  Flynn kept his arm around my waist. “This is the girl I was telling you about. Mom and Dad, this is Hazel.”

  I extended my hand and tried to appear confident. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins.” I couldn’t believe I was shaking his hand. I’d seen his name on theatre productions around the city, and now I was holding his hand. Wow.

  “Mr. Robbins?” he said with a laugh. “Call me Tate. And my wife is Loretta. But I appreciate the manners.”

  Flynn wasn’t kidding. They were very easy going. “Okay.”

  His mother didn’t shake my hand. Instead, she hugged me. “You’re a very beautiful girl.”

  Oh. That was a nice and unexpected compliment. “Thanks…”

  She pulled away. “I hear you’re a dancer.”

  “I am.”

  “What kind?” she asked.

  “I can do anything,” I said. “Well, I can’t break dance.”

  Both of his parents laughed.

  His dad smiled at me. “Dang, I would have loved to see that.”

  “Me too,” Loretta said. “I did jazz and tap when I was your age.”

  “Very cool,” I said.

  “Have you been in any productions I would know of?” Tate asked.

  “Actually, LadyKiller is my debut,” I said.

  “I’m sure this is the beginning of a long and fruitful career,” his mother said. “Flynn has told us you’re a remarkable dancer, many times.”

  I eyed Flynn. “Thanks.”

  “I speak the truth,” he said with a shrug. “Where’s Cade?”

  “He’ll be here soon,” Tate said. “You know him, always late.” He rolled his eyes.

  ‘Thinks he’s hot shit,” Loretta said.

  I smiled when his mother cursed. She seemed too graceful to do it, so it made her cooler. And I liked that his parents teased their son.

  “He’s a bit of a douchebag,” Flynn said to me. “I just wanted to warn you.”

  “That’s sweet,” I said sarcastically.

  “It’s true,” Flynn said immediately. “I just don’t want your expectations to be high.” He looked at his dad. “Right?”

  He smirked. “I’m not calling your brother a douchebag.”

  “But you know he is,” Flynn pressed.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His father shook his head.

  Flynn turned to his mom. “Mom…?”

  She smiled at her husband then looked at Flynn. “He can be a little…full of himself.”

  “Not quite what I was going for, but I’ll take it,” Flynn said.

  “You’re one to talk,” I teased. “You’re the cockiest person I know.”

  Tate laughed. “That’s what I’m talking about. I’m glad you have a woman to put you in your place.”

  Flynn glared at me. “You turning on me, baby?”

  “I’m just being honest.” I gave him a playful look.

  “Two can play that game…” He narrowed his eyes at me.

  “Don’t you dare,” I hissed.

  “Hazel is afraid of cockroaches,” he told my parents. “She had me come over to kill the tiny bug in her bathroom. And she pushed all her furniture against the door so the little thing couldn’t get out.”

  I glared at him. “I can’t believe you told them that.”

  “Did you know cockroaches are the biggest carriers of parasites and disease?” Tate said. “They’ll be the next host of the plague.”

  His mom shivered. “I hate bugs, especially spiders.”

  I gave him a triumphant look.

  “Maybe you should quit your day job and be an exterminator,” his father teased. “You’re probably better at that than a writer.” He nudged him in the shoulder, teasing him.

  “Shut up, Dad,” Flynn said.

  In just a few minutes, I felt included in their group. His parents were accepting and didn’t question me about anything. I was his girlfriend so I was automatically included. It was nice not having to prove myself. My parents constantly grilled me for my successes and failures. If I wasn’t good enough, I was cut out. It was nice to be accepted fo
r no reason at all, unconditionally.

  “Look who it is,” Tate said. “Mr. Bigshot.”

  A man approached us, the same height and build as Flynn. He looked a little older, maybe by a few years. He held himself like he was taking a picture. His blue eyes stood out even from a great distance. He wore dark jeans and a black shirt. And there was an expensive watch on his wrist.

  “Hey,” he said when he reached us. “What’s up?”

  “What’s up?” Tate asked. “That’s how you greet your father?” He opened his arms and hugged him. Cade gave him a simple hug in return. “Hey, Mom.” He hugged her next then quickly pulled away. He put his sunglasses on then pulled a baseball cap over his head.

  “No one is going to notice you,” Flynn said.

  “They will.” Cade didn’t greet his brother with a hug.

  Flynn placed his hand on my shoulder. “This is my girlfriend, Hazel.”

  “Hey,” Cade said with a nod.

  “And she means a lot to me,” Flynn said with a clenched jaw. “So you better not be an ass.”

  “She means a lot like all the other girls you go through?” he snapped.

  That comment made me sick to my stomach. I hated picturing Flynn with other women. I didn’t know how many girls he slept with and I tried not to think about it.

  “Cade,” Loretta hissed. “Behave.”

  “Whatever,” he said.

  “Hazel is our guest and you will make her feel welcome,” his mother continued.

  “I didn’t say anything to her.” He put his hands in his pockets.

  “And if you do, I’ll rip your throat out,” Flynn said, anger brewing in his eyes.

  Tate gave him a firm look. “Cade, knock it off.”

  He stepped away and looked across the park. “What are we eating?” I could tell he was impatient to leave.

  “Hot dogs,” Tate said.

  “I’m not eating that shit,” Cade said immediately.

  “Then you can watch us eat,” Loretta said.

  Was this guy five years old? I turned to Flynn. “You weren’t kidding about him.”

  “Unfortunately…” he said with a dark voice.

  We walked to the cart and Tate ordered for all of us.

  Cade took out his phone and concentrated on the screen, tapping his thumb on the surface. He clearly had no interest in being here.