26. Chapter 23
D ad’s midnight blue SUV rolls up to the curb, and I rush over to meet him. I haven’t felt this lonely in a long time and I didn’t realize just how much I missed him. Wrapping me up in his arms, tears fall. This time, they feel a lot like relief, exhaustion, and remorse.
He pulls back, hands gripping my shoulders, “Don’t ever do that to me again, do you hear me?”
“I’m sorry,” I say, “I know I shouldn’t have taken off like that.”
He watches my face, then brings me back in for another hug. Instead of asking how I’ve been, he steers us to the sidewalk, out of traffic. Koda’s standing on the steps at the entrance to the building.
Offering his hand to Dad he introduces himself, “Hi sir, I’m Koda. I work with Henry.”
“Luca, it’s nice to meet you,” Dad shakes his hand, then lets go, his eyes not so subtly finding mine.
I swallow and ready myself to tell him it’s not like that with Koda. He’s a friend. A friend who has an apartment to share and a room for me.
I hope.
“Well, shall we?”
“After you,” Dad says, motioning for me to follow Koda. I remember Opal saying something about never hearing him and how he said Opal lives below him. We hit the elevators, and Koda presses the button for the third floor.
“We have a gym, pool, patio area, and the building does occasional events for tenants,” Koda fills the silence. Since it’s been Dad and I for so long, I forget how silence bothers some people. Dad and I can go hours in each other’s presence and not say a word.
“That’s nice,” Dad offers with a smile.
The elevator dings, signaling our destination on floor three. We follow Koda out and to the right. The walls are painted a deep green here, with two doors painted black, spaced evenly along both sides. The planks of the floor are manufactured to look like hardwood, but with college kids constantly moving in and out year after year, it’s hard to imagine anyone would put real hardwood in here.
Sliding the key into the last door to the left, Koda motions for us to go ahead, and Dad follows as I step inside. It’s not heavily decorated, but it does have a homey feel. The door opens up to the kitchen, where everything you’d need is stationed. Fridge, microwave, oven, and dishwasher, all in stainless steel, are tucked between white cabinets. The countertop is most likely granite, with a coffee station not unlike Opal’s and a knife block that appears well-used.
Everything looks clean, tidy even. There’s a small high-top table with two chairs pushed up against the wall, and the floor is the same wood imitation from the hall.
“The living room is straight through, and your room would be to the left when you walk through. Mine is to the right, they both have attached bathrooms, so no need to share.”
Dad and I walk past the counter that serves as an island into the living room. There’s a couch pushed up against what I assume is Koda’s bedroom wall and a TV hutch against mine. It’s cozy, with a blanket draped over the couch and the view from the windows between the rooms.
Taking a left into the bedroom I’m here to see, I’m surprised by the size. Then again, I thought I would be spending my freshman year in a dorm. Two doors sit on the left side of the room, both painted a hideous shade of purple.
“The room can be painted,” Koda starts, “and the closet is on the right, bathroom is the door on the left.”
Dad opens the closet door and shrugs. Compared to the mansion, it’s not very big, but for my very own, it’s more than enough. The bathroom is clean, and all the essentials are here, including a tub, which I fully plan on taking advantage of.
“I think it’s perfect,” I whisper to Dad.
“I have to get to class,” Koda looks at his watch, “you can let the door close on the way out, it’s an automatic lock.”
“Thank you, Koda,” Dad nods.
“I’ll let you know what I decide,” I promise. He smiles and tells Dad it was nice to meet him before he leaves.
The door shuts behind him, and I hear the lock whir and slam closed. That’s a nice feature, until you lose your key.
Dad sighs, “Are you sure this is what you want, Henry?”
“I can’t hide from him forever, and sharing a room is no longer a healthy option,” I acknowledge. “I refuse to be locked in a room with the boy who broke my heart in front of my family. The family who not only let him do it, but with the exception of Tal, just watched and did nothing.”
“Henry…”
“I know you think it’s some valiant sacrifice, but he didn’t even warn me! Or Toby and Tal. It wasn’t only his sacrifice to make. We’re supposed to be soulmates. Best friends. We tell each other everything… At the very least, I thought he respected our friendship, the four of us, enough to at least have a conversation.”
I watch as the words register, as they worm their way under his skin. “If this is what you need, I’ll agree. But you have to check in at least once a week. Don’t think I don’t know that you’re going to use this place to hide from the family.”
“I need the space, Dad.” It sucks, but it’s true. “From Ban– him … and the family.” I know the whole situation isn’t ideal, and if I’m going to move on, I need to do it on my own terms.
He nods, dragging his hand down his face, “Do we sign the lease downstairs?”
“Yeah, Koda told the ladies in the office that we might be coming.” I can’t help the smile that takes over my whole face.
“This room needs painting,” Dad laughs, “or is purple your new favorite color?”
We laugh, and I roll my eyes, “I’ll paint it over the break.”
“I can take you to the store after this, get everything you need while we're there.” The offer makes a dose of fear and giddiness flare in my stomach. Holy shit, I’m going to move out of the dorm I fought so hard for.
“I think I’ll take you up on that.”