Chapter 48
New Luggage
Maisie
The next two days fly by. Lauren and I went out to breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving, and it was nice to get out of the house and away from everyone for a bit.
It was a little bittersweet, seeing as I don’t get to see my family much since going to college, but the alone time with Lauren was much needed.
Later that day, Mom, Aunt Kaity, Lauren, and I went shopping for Black Friday.
I got a new pair of sweatpants and some sneakers.
My mom tried to convince me to buy something other than athletic wear.
It was all very familiar. As we continued on, however, the anger that I held close to my chest started releasing.
The day after, we went to a local Christmas tree farm and cut down this year’s tree.
Afterward, we went out to dinner, and it felt like a breath of fresh air.
I wasn’t angry with my mom anymore, and even some of my Karsen turmoil seemed to dissipate.
Some of that may be from the fact that Connor and I have been texting nonstop.
Although we haven’t addressed what happened in the hotel yet.
It’s late Saturday afternoon, and he’ll be here in an hour.
I’m packed and everything is ready by the door.
I don’t know what to do with myself, and I realize I must have been picking at my cuticles again because one is bleeding.
I navigate to the half bath on the main level for a Band-Aid.
After wrapping it up, I step back into the foyer and find Dad inspecting my luggage.
“Can I help you?” I say in my best customer-service voice.
He startles a bit but recovers quickly. “You need new luggage,” he says. “I’ll have a new set for you when you come home next.”
My chest swells. He’s always taken such good care of me.
“And, uh, Bean, I wanted to talk to you before you leave.”
A weight drops in my stomach. What could this be about?
“Okay,” I say tentatively, crossing my arms and worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. “About what?” I pinch my arm a little in anticipation.
He takes a step toward me, and I tense. His brows crease, and he retreats the step. “I…” He trails off and pinches the bridge of his nose. It’s more emotion than I’m used to seeing Dad show. “I know I’m hard on you,” he starts. “And I know I was harsh at your meet.”
“It’s okay, Dad,” I say, but I can’t seem to infuse truth into the words.
“It’s not.” His tone is stern.
My eyes fall even though I know it’s not me he’s mad at.
“I was scared,” he whispers.
My brows shoot up in surprise. “You were?” I ask tentatively.
“Of course I was, Bean. You have no idea what it’s like having your heart walk around outside your body. You. You are my heart, and my heart was being pulled out of the water by a lifeguard. I’m sorry for the way I reacted afterward. I’ll try to be better,” he says, giving one terse nod.
“Oh…okay, Dad. I appreciate that. Really, I do. Thank you.” I drop my arms and step forward for a hug. I think we could both use one.
“Of course. And have a safe trip back. I promise we’ll come pick you up next time,” he says while giving me a firm squeeze.
I step away, looking up into his deep brown eyes.
Eyes I always thought of as fierce. Eyes that can stare down an opponent in court or pierce through my teenage soul—but also eyes that shine with affection for the things he loves: golf, walking on a beach, and his wife and daughter.
I sigh. He may be complicated at times, but he always has my back.
“Thanks, Dad. But I’m happy riding with Connor. Doesn’t make sense for you guys to have to do the trip twice when you don’t need to.” The corner of my lip tips in a smile.
He grumbles but acquiesces by lifting his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. Let some boy drive you across the country instead of your dear old dad.”
“Dad!” I squeal with laughter.
“I’m just kidding,” he says, meeting me with a smile of his own.
“I like that Connor kid. Better than Karsen, that’s for sure.
” A shadow passes over his eyes like he’s reliving Thanksgiving day.
“He better hope our paths never cross again. What he said was unacceptable. I hope you know that was no reflection on you. Boys like that are just that. Boys. They are small both in mind and spirit, and they try to take down anyone who shines brighter than them. And you are the brightest light in the sky, Bean.”
My eyes water involuntarily, lips quivering. “Thanks, Dad,” I manage to say. “I love you so much.”
“Love you too,” he says and then walks away, squeezing my arm on his way past.
I’m about to turn for the kitchen to grab a last-minute snack when I’m attacked from behind.
“Don’t leeeeeaaaavvveeee,” Lauren whines, clinging to my back.
“Get off, ya weirdo,” I say, but grab hold of her legs at my sides and spin her around.
“Let me down, I’m gonna be sick,” she says, and I laugh.
I set her back on her feet. “Serves you right for sneaking up on me like that,” I scold playfully.
She fixes the hair that flew into her face. “Sue me for being sad. I won’t see you for god knows how long after this.”
I smirk. “My dad’s a lawyer; that can be arranged.”
“Uncle Alan is my lawyer, too. That might be a conflict of interest.” She moves to poke my stomach, and I dodge, smacking her hand away and pulling her in for a hug.
“I’m really going to miss you too, LoLo.”
She nuzzles deeper into the hug. “I hate only getting to see each other a few times a year. It royally sucks.”
“Totally sucks,” I agree.
“And I won’t even get to see you at Christmas,” she complains.
“Well, that isn’t my fault,” I clap back.
“I know. I know. Jameson had to book us flights to go visit his extended family in the UK. It was obviously rude of him.”
“So rude,” I play along.
Jameson is her boyfriend of six months. He moved to the States when he was thirteen and still has lots of family back home.
They were close friends in college, both having been in the engineering department, but didn’t start dating until recently.
She seems extremely happy with him, and that makes me happy.
“Promise to call more?” she says wistfully.
I slowly peel away from our hug. “Pinky promise,” I say, presenting my pinky, so she can connect hers, and then we kiss our thumbs to seal the deal.
There’s a knock at the door, and we both jump. Connor must be early.