Chapter 3 #2
Tonight, I’m exhausted from what happened with Annie, and I just want to crash. But I need to get this over with.
The sound of voices floats down the hallway from the family room. It’s odd to hear both my father’s and mother’s voices interwoven. The split happened so gradually I barely noticed when I started to hear only one voice at a time.
When one of them was home, the other was almost always gone.
As a child, they were around more. Both travelled for work, but they usually found time to spend together and with me.
I can’t say when things changed, just that I was independent enough and trustworthy enough to leave on my own at some point.
I stop and lean in the doorway. Mom has her hair pulled back into a loose bun.
She’s wearing loungewear pants and a drapey top, a glass of red wine lifted to her lips.
Dad sits relaxed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.
His lips are curved into a smug smile, and he dangles his lowball glass of scotch on the rocks in his fingertips.
Mom notices me first. Smiling, she sets down her glass on the end table. “Hawk!”
When she stands, she wobbles just a little. Dad casually puts his hand on her hip to stabilize her. She puts her hand over his and her smile softens as their eyes meet.
I go still as I watch. Because this doesn’t look like a couple on the verge of divorce. There’s a warmth I haven’t seen between them in years right now. It’s almost fucking... cozy. I swallow and wait.
Mom straightens and comes over to me, pulling me into her arms.
“My boy.” She runs her hand over my hair and stares up into my eyes with a smile. “How are you, my love?”
I glance at my dad, who takes a sip of his drink and waits for my answer. “Good.”
Mom steps back. “Your father said you had your girlfriend over last night.”
It’s not phrased as a question, but there’s a lot of curiosity in her eyes. I blow out a breath, and she takes my arm to pull me into their circle. I’m not used to having to explain myself. She sits and picks up her wine glass as I sit on the edge of the couch.
The back of my neck prickles with nerves. My dad smiles like we do this all the time. Like somehow he’s comfortable with this. I blow out a breath.
“EvanAnn Ward. She’s the one who’s beating me for valedictorian.” I rub my hands together and study the shared look between my parents. It’s fucking weird. This whole thing is weird, but I don’t want to point it out.
“Has she stayed over a lot?” Mom asks, like the answer doesn’t matter, and takes a sip of her wine. But her eyes twinkle with curiosity. She wants to know.
“Not a lot.” Fuck, this isn’t what I want to talk about. My life is mine. I shift my focus to my dad. “What did you want to talk about?”
He has green eyes like me, and they harden just slightly as he leans forward to set his glass down. Is this cozy little family moment all a lie? A build up just to let me down? To pretend like we’re going to be fine once they divorce?
My shoulders tense as if waiting for a blow.
“We know things haven’t been easy these past few years.” Dad reaches his hand out to Mom and she takes it.
I stare at their joined hands, trying to figure out if this is a reconciliation or a parting of ways. My stomach churns, but I lift my gaze to my dad’s and wait. I don’t know which choice would be preferable.
“Work pulled us in opposite directions.” Mom smiles at Dad with a touch of sadness. “We all drifted apart.”
“We decided to figure out if this living arrangement worked for us.” Dad looks at Mom. His gaze softens. “We met up and decided we didn’t want this to end. We still love each other and you. We put our careers ahead of our relationship for so long we almost lost it.”
I clench my fists. “So what does this mean?”
“Well, we’ve taken vacation from work to sort some things out.” Dad rubs his thumb over Mom’s wrist as she smiles like he’s the most brilliant man alive.
“So, Cabo?” I raise an eyebrow. It makes sense they came home to tell me they’re going to work things out together. Alone. Which suits me just fine.
Mom laughs. “No. We’ll be staying here. You’re part of our family. We’re a little bit broken, but with time, we’ll be able to strengthen our bond again.”
I open my mouth, but what the fuck am I supposed to say to that? That’s great? I’m so excited for you? But seriously, I’m good? You two can fuck off to wherever you vanish to, and I’ll continue with my life the way it is, because it works for me.
“This is a good thing, Hawk.” Dad lowers his head and meets my eyes, almost like he’s daring me to back talk them.
I glance at Mom’s hopeful eyes. “I have a lot going on with hockey and the play.”
Mom grins and settles into her chair. “Oh, yes, the play. Othello, right? I can’t wait to watch it. When are your shows?”
“In about a month.” I expect her to fly in for one of the shows. This can’t last that long, right? A few days, maybe a week. My parents are devoted to their careers.
Mom lights up. “Perfect. That’s how long we took off.”