Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Ben
Islip out of Eden and onto the sidewalk, managing to avoid Seb. As much as I want Ash’s brothers to be on my side, that’s not my priority right now. What matters most is Ash.
Even though she asked for space after I told her about Molly, I feel a sense of relief that the truth is out.
I’ve been an idiot the past few weeks, dragging my feet when I should have been honest from the start.
I knew my feelings for Ashlyn were genuine, but the longer I kept quiet, the harder it became to tell her.
I just pray I haven’t lost her.
With a heavy sigh, I climb into my car and head through Hope Creek toward home. I haven’t spoken to Laney yet, but I know I have to. And it has to be tonight.
She hasn’t been home much since she walked in on Ash and me, choosing instead to stay at my parents’ place. But I asked her to come home tonight, and reluctantly, she agreed.
The drive from Hope Creek to River Falls takes about twenty minutes, and with every passing mile, the unease in my chest tightens. Laney hasn’t been easy to live with since we moved from Phoenix last year, and this conversation is going to be hard.
She never wanted to leave Phoenix, but mostly, she never wanted to leave Molly behind. We argued about it for weeks before finally making the move. Just when she was starting to accept River Falls as home, Ashlyn happened.
Now, I have to find a way to make her understand.
When I pull into the driveway and see her car parked out front, I take a deep breath before heading inside.
“Laney,” I call as I step through the entryway into the kitchen. She’s sitting at the breakfast bar, a half-eaten box of takeout pizza in front of her.
“Hey,” she says, barely looking up. “I was going to wait for you, but when it got past eight, I gave up and ordered in. You get stuck at work?”
I set my keys on the counter and grab a beer from the fridge. “No. I went to see Ashlyn.”
Her expression darkens instantly. “That woman from the other day?” she asks, her voice sharp.
“Yes.”
She lets out a laugh, but there’s no humor. “I say woman, but maybe girl is more accurate. How old is she, Dad? She can’t be much older than me.”
“Her age doesn’t matter.”
She tilts her head, her eyes narrowing. “So, young then?”
I exhale. “She’s twenty-five.”
She scoffs, shaking her head. “You’re a whole me older than her.” Pushing the pizza box away, she crosses her arms. “And Mom? You’re just... giving up on her?”
“Laney–”
“She’s going to wake up, Dad. I know she is.”
I swallow hard. “It’s been six years, Laney.”
Her voice breaks. “So, you have given up.”
“It’s not like that, sweetheart.”
She searches my face, hurt and anger written all over hers. “It sounds like it.”
I let out a slow breath, my chest tightening. “There’s something I should have told you a long time ago. I didn’t because I wanted to protect you. But you’re an adult now... and it’s time you knew the truth.”
She frowns. “Okay.”
Nerves churn in my stomach as I meet her gaze. There’s no way to sugarcoat this. I just have to rip off the Band-Aid and tell her.
“Your mom and I… we were in love for a long time,” I start, running a hand through my hair.
“But when you were around eleven, things started to change. We’d been together since high school, and we realized we were growing apart instead of growing together.
We tried to make it work, but the skiing trip to Vermont was supposed to be our make-or-break moment. ”
“The trip where Mom had her accident?” she asks quietly.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“What happened?”
I exhale slowly. “We made the difficult decision to separate. We both agreed that things weren’t working, and that splitting up would be the best thing for everyone. More than anything, we wanted to be good parents to you. That was our priority.”
She studies me carefully. “And you both wanted that?”
I nod. “We planned to come home and tell you together.”
Laney stands abruptly, pacing across the kitchen. After a moment, she stops and crosses her arms.
“How do I know you’re not just saying this now because of Ashlyn? Mom isn’t here to back up your story.”
Her words hit me hard. “Laney, this isn’t a story. When have I ever lied to you?”
She lets out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. How about the last six years?”
I sigh. “I never lied to you. I was trying to protect you. You were devastated. We all were. The doctors were so sure she was going to wake up. I thought I’d tell you when that happened... only she never did. And the more time that passed, the harder it became to bring it up.”
“And now?”
I shake my head. “I’ve been in limbo for six years. Ashlyn is the first person in all that time who’s made me feel something again.”
Her voice cracks. “What happens when Mom wakes up? What if she doesn’t remember? What if she still thinks you’re together?”
I push off the counter and step toward her, taking her hands in mine. “Laney… she might never wake up.” My voice is quiet but firm. “I wish that wasn’t the case, but we have to be realistic.”
She yanks her hands away. “No. You might have given up, but I haven’t. If you won’t fight for her, I will.”
“Laney…” I trail off, dragging a hand down my face.
“For the past six years, my entire life has revolved around taking care of you and making sure, with the help of your uncle, that your mom gets the best care possible. I never once thought about moving on. I never wanted to. But then I met Ash, and for the first time in years, I want something for me. Is that so wrong?”
Tears spill down her cheeks. “What about Mom?” she whispers, her voice breaking.
I can’t stand to see her cry and pull her into my arms, holding her tightly. “I will always love your mom, Laney.”
She swallows. “But?”
I lean back, looking at her tear-streaked face.
“But it’s time for me to live again. You’ll be nineteen in a few months.
You have your whole life ahead of you, and one day, you’ll fall in love too.
And when that happens… I’ll be alone. I want someone in my life.
And I think that someone could be Ash.” I squeeze her hands gently.
“I think you’d like her if you just gave her a chance. ”
She exhales heavily. “So, she’s still talking to you, then?”
“Well… no, not right now. But I’m hoping that’ll change once she’s had some time to think things through.”
Laney steps out of my embrace and wipes her eyes. “Do Grams and Gramps know that you and Mom were planning to separate?”
I nod. “Yeah. They always thought I should have told you. But don’t be mad at them. It was my decision to keep it from you.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I wish you had told me. Maybe I’d feel differently about Ashlyn if I’d known the truth. And maybe I wouldn’t feel like the last six years of my life have been a lie.”
Guilt settles in my chest, heavy and suffocating. I hate that she feels like I deceived her. “Shit, Laney. I’m sorry.”
She shrugs, but her expression is unreadable. “I know you’re not waiting for my approval to be with Ashlyn. But even if you were, I don’t think I can give it. I’m sorry, Dad. I want you to be happy, I really do… but this feels like a betrayal. And I can’t do that to Mom.”
Without another word, she turns and heads upstairs, leaving me standing alone in the kitchen. I drop my head and close my eyes, exhaling slowly. I love Laney unconditionally, and I want the best for her. But I want a life too.
I don’t even know if Ashlyn will give us a chance after everything. But if she does, I want to hold onto it with both hands. What I told Laney was the truth. I know that if she gave Ash a chance, she’d like her.
I just hope I haven’t lost them both.