Chapter Seven Run Away
May 2022
Hi. I’m Olivia Jones and I’m a coward.
She repeated this to herself for the umpteenth time during her drive to Sag Harbor. After the infamous social media post heard ’round the world, or at least in Highland Beach, Olivia did not, in fact, face the music. Instead, she muted it and ran away from the beautiful beach town and into the welcoming arms of Sag Harbor.
She did not want to endure the stares. The whispers. The judgment. As if she could control the messy situation surrounding her birth. She thought she was ready for the world to know the truth, but it had to be on her own terms. Not like this.
She would spend an entire week, or maybe forever, with Garrett, Zora, and the rest of her beloved neighbors.
But before she connected with her friends, before she even went home, she had an emergency appointment set with Dr. LaGrange.
As soon as the psychiatrist opened the door, Olivia jumped straight into conversation.
“Everything is horrible. Just horrible. We’ve got a lot to cover in the next hour.” Olivia nervously adjusted the wide bangles that bracketed her floral Gucci watch.
“I can carve out more time if you need it.”
“Oh, I need it.” Olivia snatched the offer of more time like extra stock in Disney.
While Dr. LaGrange told her assistant to block off the next two hours, Olivia made herself comfortable on a plush sofa.
The doctor returned, and Olivia noted her new aquamarine tortoiseshell glasses and hairstyle. Her hair, formerly a big, beautiful Afro, was now braided into smaller plaits.
“I like the new look, Dr. LaGrange.”
The doctor tentatively patted her hair, as if to reassure herself that she’d made the right choice.
“I’m finally making the jump to sister locks. I’ve been wanting to do so for years, but it was hard to let go of my ’fro.”
“What made you decide to change your hair?”
“I finally forced myself to accept that it’s just hair. If I don’t like it, I can always shave it off and start over.”
Olivia stiffened her body to stop her shudder. She wasn’t interested in starting over in any aspect of her life. She’d done enough of that in the past year.
“Enough about me. Where’s the fire?” Dr. LaGrange waved at Olivia.
“I’ve been outed.”
“You’re expanding your sexual preferences?”
“Oh no. Not that type of outing.” Olivia waved her hands.
“Hmm. Well then, that’s an inaccurate word choice.”
“Sorry.” Olivia took a deep breath. “The good people of Highland Beach know that CJ is my father.”
“Oh. Ohhh.” Dr. LaGrange’s thick eyebrows rose so high her eyeglasses rose onto her forehead. “What happened?”
Olivia crossed her arms and rubbed at the goose bumps that marched along her forearms. “Someone anonymously posted on the town’s newspaper Facebook page. They even snapped a picture of me.”
Dr. LaGrange looked alarmed.
“I didn’t even notice, but someone was following me. I’m so... so embarrassed by everything.”
“What makes you embarrassed?”
“The entire situation!” Olivia’s voice pitched high. “My mother had a baby with one brother and married the other. I didn’t sign up to be in a soap opera.”
“I can understand. But certainly the town will understand that they don’t know the full story. Context that either your father or mother can fill in if they feel they need to explain themselves to the town.”
Olivia massaged her forehead. Before she had fled, Christine and Alan came to CJ’s house to discuss a plan of action. CJ didn’t feel the need to explain anything, but Alan had all but insisted they do so. Christine had yelled, had even snapped on Olivia for not lying low until they could figure out a proper strategy to reveal her existence.
That had hurt. A lot.
It had taken everything in Olivia to stand still and adopt a cool, unaffected look, even though she was shaking inside by Christine’s sharp accusation.
She had excused herself from the room, gone to her bedroom, and locked the door, ignoring several rounds of insistent knocking as she set about packing her bags.
So yes, Olivia fully embraced her cowardice. Though she felt guilty for leaving her mother unprotected.
“Alan, that’s Christine’s husband—”
“And Christine is your grandmother?” her therapist asked.
Olivia let out an ugly laugh. “Not sure who she’s claiming these days, but technically, yes, she’s my grandmother. Her husband, Alan, insists we host a town hall meeting to explain the post. They plan to keep it at a high level: Cindy and Chris formed a relationship and left Highland Beach. Chris died a few years later in the line of duty. CJ later reconnected with us, and here we are.”
Dr. LaGrange tsked.
“I know. It’s an awful plan, right? No matter how we craft it, my mother will look like an opportunist.”
“Yes, she will.” There was a tinge of anger in Dr. LaGrange’s voice. She rarely let her emotions roam free.
“CJ wants to admit fault. Alan and Christine disagree.”
“And your mother?”
“She’s calm.” Olivia remembered her mother’s serene face. She hadn’t raised her voice. She had only one demand, which she relayed in that even, cool tone of hers. “Don’t you dare disrespect Chris,” she had warned.
“Why do you think she’s calm?” Dr. LaGrange asked.
“I don’t...” Olivia huffed, shaking her head at her epiphany. “I don’t think she expects much.” Or maybe Cindy was relieved the cat had been wrenched out of the bag?
“Now, how do you feel, Olivia?”
“I already told you... humiliated. I feel like Hester in The Scarlet Letter, but instead of an A, I’m wearing a B, for Bastard.”
Dr. LaGrange shook her head. “You’re being incredibly disrespectful to yourself and your family.”
“Do you not remember what happened last summer? Not only that, but how I found out? By CJ barging into my home, no less.”
“I do, Olivia. I still think you shouldn’t judge them so harshly.”
“I’m not.” Olivia waved her hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always wanted a family. I just wish everything hadn’t been so complicated. Why couldn’t they just talk to each other? Why couldn’t CJ just fight for his family?”
When Cindy shared the news of her pregnancy with CJ, he hadn’t believed her mother. Christine had shown CJ pictures of Cindy with another man while he was away at college and lied about their relationship.
“I don’t disagree with you,” Dr. LaGrange said, “but it must have been a shock for him to see your mother kiss his brother after he did in fact try to fight for his family.”
“Well, he didn’t put up much of a fight,” Olivia argued. “He could’ve confronted his brother right then. And then maybe... maybe Chris could still be alive. And I’d have had an actual father growing up.”
“But it didn’t happen that way. And you must give them time and patience to work through their past. They were, what, in their early twenties?”
“Just barely,” Olivia whispered. Although studious and career-focused, Olivia had made plenty of mistakes at that age. “Okay, fine. They deserve a second chance.”
“They do. We’re only human. And we make mistakes... daily. Some small, some gigantic, but it’s our capacity to love and forgive that makes us special.”
Olivia exhaled. “So I should go back. Be brave.”
Dr. LaGrange smiled. “What do you want—”
Olivia covered her face and groaned. “I’m too tired to think, Dr. LaGrange. Just tell me what I should do.”
When the doctor laughed, Olivia dropped her hands.
“You should return when you feel it’s best. I think you should take care of yourself, too. Take a few days or a few weeks and then return to Highland Beach. Now, it’s not up to you to fix their mess. I simply ask that you not judge your parents too harshly.”
By the end of the session, Olivia had stopped calling herself a coward. She wasn’t weak, just incredibly exhausted.
After she left Dr. LaGrange’s office, she texted her parents to let them know she would no longer hide and would be back by next week, but that she had no plans to show up for the town hall meeting and put herself on display, as Alan had suggested.
As Olivia drove down her street, the anxiety from the past forty-eight hours rolled away like the tide. She couldn’t wait to see Garrett, though she had to wait because he was chaperoning a field trip with Zora’s kindergarten class.
When she parked her car, she noticed another car pull in just behind her. She didn’t recognize the electric blue Range Rover.
They both stepped out of their respective cars. The woman was around her age, with long braids that brushed the middle of her back. Olivia gave her a friendly wave and a smile.
“Hello. I’m Olivia Jones.”
“O-oh.” The woman’s smile faltered.
Oh no. Did she hear something bad?Olivia thought she’d fully redeemed herself by driving the ASK developers away, but maybe that rumor lingered?
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Olivia held her smile steady.
“I’m Francesca McCoy. I bought the house next to you from the Larsons.”
“Oh! I heard they were selling.” Olivia smiled brightly. She was glad Whitney had found someone nice to purchase the home. “Well, I’m a bit late, but welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Thank you so much. I’ve been here for a few weeks, and everyone’s been so welcoming.”
“I must have just missed you then. So sorry I couldn’t have welcomed you sooner.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” Francesca responded, her voice distant. Not rude but distracted.
Francesca glanced past Olivia’s shoulder.
Turning to see what was distracting her new neighbor, Olivia noticed she was staring at Garrett’s doorway.
He’d opened it, stopped, and grinned like a loon when he saw Olivia. His long legs quickly covered the short distance between them. “Olivia.”
“Hey, you.” Olivia wrapped her arms around Garrett’s waist and gave him a long hug. “I thought you were on a field trip with Zora?”
“One kid got sick, so they ended a little early.”
“Oh no. Is Zora okay?”
“She’s perfectly fine, and she can’t wait to see you. She almost threw a tantrum when I left her at school.”
A delicate throat clearing pulled their attention away from each other.
“Oh yes!” Olivia turned and found the lovely Ms. McCoy batting her bright brown eyes. “I was just introducing myself to our new neighbor, Francesca.”
Francesca smiled at her. Her smile was a bit too wide. In fact, Olivia couldn’t tell if she was smiling or baring her teeth, but decided to ignore it.
“Thank you for your help the other night.” Francesca’s eyes focused on Garrett, as if Olivia did not exist.
Help?
Olivia swiveled her attention to Garrett.
“Oh, it was nothing.” He looked down at Olivia. “Mr. Whittingham and I fixed her faucet.”
“Oh, that’s very neighborly of you.”
He winked at Olivia. “You know me. I aim to please.” He looked over Olivia’s head. “Well, Francesca. We’ve got to get going. We’ve got lots of neighborly things to catch up on.” He pulled Olivia’s hand and set off toward his house.
“Garrett!” she laughed as he nearly dragged her across the yard and into his home.
“Bye, Francesca!” She waved at the unblinking woman.
Undeterred by her wave, Garrett pulled her close to his side.
“Now, Garrett—”
“Sorry. I’m starving,” he said once they were inside the door. He kicked it shut, cupped her face, and kissed her deeply. Desire hit her hard and fast.
She was burning up—sparked by fire, lit by joy. She’d forgotten how delicious spearmint tasted on his lips.
As if a gun had gone off at the start of a race, they hurriedly pulled off each other’s clothes.
“I miss you,” Olivia gasped between kisses.
“Me, too. You were gone for too long.”
It had only been a week, but she didn’t have time to tease him.
He lifted her and moved them to his bedroom, then tossed her down on his soft king-sized bed. “Put me in,” he growled.
She shivered at his demand. Sometimes Garrett could be so incredibly gentle she felt like crying.
But today he was in a mood. A mood to dominate.
“Do it, Olivia,” he demanded in a dangerous whisper, pulling her legs apart. He nudged at the opening, daring her to give in. She stared at him, a living work of art, raking her fingers across the sprinkling of hair that covered his broad chest.
“Do it,” he said between soft kisses along her collarbone.
Her fingers dragged down his long, muscled back to his thick thighs.
“Olivia. Now.”
She finally honored his demand, cupped his ass, and guided him inside.
He hissed as if she burned. He paused for a moment and then thrust deeper.
She squeezed, gasping, overwhelmed by his strength.
He groaned in her ear, rocking back and forth with ferocity.
“Garrett, I—”
“Miss your smile, your taste...” He was breathing heavily, as though he’d run a marathon. “Miss you...”
Olivia kissed his throat until the first wave of her orgasm hit. Locking her legs around his waist, she clenched his shoulders and held on until they crashed in bliss.
“Wow.” She gasped between breaths. “Wow.”
He rolled off her body and pulled her close.
“Been thinking about doing that all day. Nearly killed me to go on the field trip.”
Olivia laughed into his chest.
“I’m serious. I hope little Gabby is okay, but I’ve never been so happy to see vomit.”
Olivia slapped his chest. “I need to go back home and shower.”
“Shower here.”
“I have my things in the car.” Olivia moved to the edge of the bed.
“Please. I just want you close.”
“I suppose I can continue to grace you with my presence.”
Garrett laughed and tugged her back to his chest. “Good of you to do that.”
They held tight to each other.
Garrett sighed. “I don’t know how I’m going to go the entire summer without you near.”
She pulled away, staring into his eyes. “It’s tough for me, too, but I want to—”
“Get to know your father.” The tips of his fingers brushed her chin. “Trust me, I get it. You deserve time to get to know him.”
“It’s your fault, you know,” she whispered.
Garrett laughed. “How is this my fault?”
“Seeing you and Zora just... made me want to try. You don’t just provide for her financially, you really are her best friend right now.”
“Oh, no one’s taking my spot for best friend. Ever.”
“If you say so.” Laughter bubbled inside her like spring water. She dipped her nose into his chest, attempting to smother her laughter.
“Maybe I’m in denial. I mean, she’s already replaced me with her new friend, Iman.” He frowned as if the other six-year-old had wronged him.
“Bring that smile back.” Olivia pressed her fingers into his dimple.
He shook his head. “No, it’s too late.”
“Fine. I can be your best friend.”
“That’s a huge step from best neighbor.”
“Well... if you don’t want to be my new bestie—”
Before she could finish, Garrett kissed her, thoroughly and deeply. And so, so sweet, she could cry.
“I want to be everything to you, Olivia Jones. Do you know what I’m saying?”
She shivered at his confession. Without a doubt, she felt everything in that kiss. She could only nod. The words he said, without saying, were too important. And if she opened her mouth, she would undoubtedly make a mumbled and jumbled mess of a response.
“Am I scaring you?”
“Not by a lot.” She put two fingers together with a tiny space between the digits. “Just a little.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m a patient man.” He kissed her nose. “I’ll get your things. You just stay here.” He stood and then put on his underwear, jogging pants, and shoes. He started for the door.
“Where’s your shirt?” Her sharp voice made him pause at the doorway.
“Somewhere on the floor?” He shrugged. “I’ll just run out and—”
“Oh no you don’t. Francesca McCoy does not get to see your bare chest.” The woman would probably break everything in her house so Garrett could come over to fix them.
“I’m pretty sure she’s already seen me.”
“What? When?” Olivia pushed up from the bed.
“We live on a beach, Olivia.”
She pouted. “I don’t care. Besides, you need to take care of your skin.”
“I wear sunscreen. And I have melanin.”
And lots of it, Olivia thought, smiling. Garrett’s skin was as chocolate as her own.
“A shirt offers better protection.”
“Are you jealous, Olivia Jones?”
“No. It’s just painfully clear that fixing her faucet is a double entendre for Francesca.”
“I don’t care what she wants.” He dipped his knee into the bed and bent his head low. “I only want you,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m your boyfriend. Not hers.”
She shivered at the feeling of his lips against hers. “Good.” She cupped his neck and kissed him. “Very good.”
Olivia tried to forget about Francesca, but then recalled Anderson’s jealousy toward Garrett. Hugging her boyfriend tight, she could only hope karma skipped her this time around.