Chapter 5
Ben and I have been on the road for two days, and I’m in a mood. This trip hasn’t exactly been what you’d call a bonding experience.
“Are we there yet?” I whine like a child.
I know I’m being obnoxious, but I can’t help myself. My life, as I knew it, is over, and I’m nowhere near ready to forgive or forget Ben’s disappearing act.
“We’re close,” he clips back.
What can I say? I haven’t been the ideal passenger princess.
I turn toward the window and watch trees blur past. Tennessee is so… green. Compared to Arizona, it’s like landing on a different planet.
Ben told me he lives with his wife, Maryanne, and her two sons from a previous marriage.
They’ve been together for twelve years and never had kids of their own.
The boys, Axel and Johnny, are eighteen and twenty.
Axel, the younger one, is a senior like me.
Johnny’s a full-time student at the local college.
Ben says he called ahead to let them know I’m coming. I’d kill to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation.
Hey, honey! I’m on my way home. Oh, and surprise! I brought my seventeen-year-old daughter I never told you about!
Yeah. This should go great.
The houses thin out and disappear the further we head into rural Tennessee. Finally, we turn down a gravel road lined with thick trees and wild underbrush. The crunch beneath the tires is deafening in the silence.
Five minutes later, we hit a clearing, and their house comes into view.
It’s beautiful. Two stories, white siding with black shutters and a wraparound porch that looks straight out of a Southern Living magazine.
Red door. Rocking chairs. Hanging ferns.
If it had a white picket fence it would be the whole package.
I whistle under my breath. “Doing well for yourself, huh?”
Ben glances at me, trying to gauge whether or not I’m being a smartness. The fact that he can’t tell gives me a tiny thrill.
“Maryanne’s parents left us the property,” he says. “We built the house eight years ago.”
He parks, and I practically fall out of the car. When I stretch, I swear every joint in my body cracks. My legs and back ache. If I never ride in a car again, it’ll be too soon.
The front door opens, grabbing my attention.
“Benny!” a woman squeals, rushing down the steps.
She’s pretty –petite, blonde, and dressed more stylishly than I imagined for someone living in the middle of nowhere. Her energy is… a lot.
“And you must be Lina!” she beams, coming straight for me. “Let me look at you, sweetie!”
I stand awkwardly as she fusses. I’ve spent two days crammed in a car, wearing the same sweats, and I desperately need a shower. Still, her compliment catches me off guard.
“You’re so beautiful! You have your dad’s eyes.”
Her genuine smile softens me toward her, slightly.
“Thank you,” I murmur, appreciatively.
Her graciousness surprises me. I honestly wouldn’t blame her for hating me. As far as I know, she had no idea I even existed.
“Well, come in, come in! Let’s get you settled. Are you tired? Hungry? The boys should be home soon!”
She doesn’t wait for answers, just sweeps me inside. I follow her through the foyer and up the stairs to a tasteful guest room. Neutral tones with pops of aqua here and there make the space feel calm. Safe.
“We can redecorate if you want,” she offers. “Maybe go shopping once you’ve settled in?”
“I’d like that,” I reply honestly, offering her a small smile.
I sense Ben watching our interaction closely. I’m sure he expects me to be cold to his wife, but it’s not Maryanne’s fault he left. Or that my mom chose a monster to replace him.
It’s not really his fault either, but I need someone to be angry at.
“The bathroom’s right through there,” she gestures to a door on the right. “I hope it’s ok, but you’ll be sharing with Axel. Johnny has his own. Just keep it locked if it makes you more comfortable.”
She demonstrates the second lock installed from the bedroom side. It’s surprisingly considerate. From my experience, teenage boys are walking red flags. Everything will be locked. Everything.
“Thank you. Seriously,” I tell them. “I’d love a shower… and maybe something to eat?”
“Of course! Ham and cheddar sandwich, ok?”
“Perfect.”
She heads downstairs, leaving me and Ben on our own. The room feels heavier without her, and I find myself poised, just waiting to see what he’ll do next. Will he yell at me? Grab me by the hair?
“Thank you,” he murmurs, doing none of the above.
I raise an eyebrow. “For what?”
“For being kind to Maryanne. This’ll be an adjustment for all of us, but I’m glad you’re here, Lina. I thought about you often over the years, but I really believed I was doing the right thing.”
He pauses. “I can take your anger, but Maryanne doesn’t deserve it.”
I give him a curt nod. That’s all he’s getting for now. If we’re going to have a relationship, it’ll take time to heal and build.
He leaves, and I spend some time unpacking and organizing. Mrs. Smith salvaged what she could of my old room. I’m thankful to at least have the familiarity of my own clothing when everything else feels new and foreign.
Once everything’s put away, I check out the bathroom. My eyes widen at how spotless it is. Either Maryanne cleaned it herself, or Axel is a unicorn. My money’s on Maryanne.
The towels are stacked neatly on the vanity, soft and smelling faintly of lavender. I press one to my face and breathe it in. It helps. Just a little.
While the water takes a second to heat, I double-check the lock to Axel’s room before peeling off my clothes.
Rinsing away two days of road-trip grime feels incredible.
It’s tempting to take my time, but my stomach rumbles, reminding me it’s been hours since my last meal.
Even if eating hasn’t been easy lately, I need to make more of an effort to take care of myself.
I towel off before pulling on my favorite pair of jean shorts and a well-worn, soft tee, opting for comfort over style. I scrunch curl cream into my damp hair and swipe on a quick coat of mascara to darken my pale lashes. After tidying up the bathroom, I find myself lingering.
I can’t hide in my room forever. Putting on a brave face, I head back downstairs.
The house is modern and cozy, decorated in a blend of minimal and farmhouse, all warm neutrals and clean lines. The open floorplan makes finding the kitchen easy.
Maryanne sits in the adjoining living room watching tv. She notices me immediately and points out the sandwich waiting for me on the granite counter. I settle on a barstool.
“Where’s Ben?” I ask, taking a bite. The sandwich is simple, but comforting.
“In his office,” she replies. “Catching up on work.”
Just then, the front door opens, then slams back shut. I jump, heart lurching, and clutch a worried hand to my chest.
Maryanne perks up. “That must be Axel!” She claps her hands, excited. “Axel! We’re in here! Come meet Lina!”
Heavy, measured footsteps head our way. I look to the doorway expectantly.
Axel strolls in and—oh.
Oh.
Sweet Jesus, he’s not what I expected. Tall. Built. Dark hair in a clean crew cut. Golden skin. Honey-brown eyes. Sharp jawline. Freckled nose. He’s dressed in a simple gray V-neck with torn black jeans and motorcycle boots.
I stare. I can’t help myself. Maryanne made one hot kid.
I silently thank the good lord we’re not blood related.
Seconds later, the front door opens and shuts again. And then Johnny walks in.
Oh, come on.
He’s got the same build, same complexion as Axel, but his shoulders are broader, his hair buzzed down, and he’s got a flannel thrown over a white tee that looks like it’s been painted on him.
There’s a hoop in his nose that screams ‘bad boy.’ The red flags are practically whipping through a hurricane.
His hazel eyes meet mine.
Great. There are two of them.
We all stare at each other for a second too long.
Maryanne breaks the tension. “Well don’t just stand there! Greet the poor girl!”
“Hey,” both boys mumble in unison, sounding bored.
Don’t act so excited on my account…
“Hi,” I offer, with a half-wave. “I’m Lina.”
Axel scowls like I broke his favorite toy, then turns and stalks away.
Okay then.
“Axel!” Maryanne snaps, clearly horrified.
“It’s fine,” I lie. It’s not fine, but I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to stay alive.
Johnny lingers, studying me with interest.
“So,” he says, “this is the long-lost daughter?”
My shoulders stiffen. “I wasn’t lost. But yeah, I guess that’s me.”
“Welcome,” he says with a shrug, then follows his brother up the stairs.
Maryanne frowns. “What has gotten into them?” she mutters, then looks at me. “I apologize for their behavior.”
She moves to put an arm around me, and I instinctively sidestep her. She doesn’t seem to take it personally.
“I promise,” she says gently, “we’re happy you’re here, Lina. Just give them time. They’ll come around.”
I really hope she’s right. Otherwise, the next four months are going to royally suck.
∞∞∞
Later that evening, I’m lying in my new bed, earbuds in, music low, letting the familiar rhythm of my favorite playlist numb the static in my head.
Suddenly, my bathroom door slams open.
Shit. I forgot to lock that.
Axel storms in like a thundercloud, fury radiating off him. There’s heat behind his eyes—anger, yes, but something colder too.
Instinct kicks in. I scramble upright, heart hammering, sliding back until I’m pressed against the headboard. I yank my earbuds out just as he looms over me.
Too close.
His presence feels predatory, and I hate that my first instinct is to brace for impact.
“Let’s get a few things straight,” he growls, jabbing a finger at me. “You”—he practically spits the word— “don’t belong here. We heard all about Joe. You’re putting everyone in this house at risk. Our lives aren’t worth yours.”
He straightens, jaw tight, voice low and cruel.
“Why don’t you just repack your shit and let witness protection stick you somewhere else?”
My mouth is dry. I swallow hard before I manage a whisper.
“B-Ben wants me here.”
It sounds pathetic, even to me.
Axel barks out a mean laugh.
“Ben loves playing the hero. Your daddy wants everyone to see what a good guy he is, taking in his poor, troubled daughter.”
The words land harder than I want them to. I don’t want to believe him, but I’ve never had a parent choose me. At least not without needing something in return. Ben’s been nothing but kind, but I’m still waiting for the catch. Still holding my breath. People don’t just... care. Not for free.
Axel must see it on my face. His smirk widens like he’s scored a win, and maybe he has, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of watching me fall apart.
“I know,” I reply calmly.
The smug look on his face falters. He wasn’t expecting agreement.
“You’re right. My life isn’t worth more than anyone else’s, but I have nowhere else to go. I turn eighteen in January, and my plan is to be gone the second I’m legal. You’ll never have to see me again.”
A flicker of something… guilt? Understanding? Seems to pass over him, but it’s gone just as quickly as it appears. He snaps back to that mask of cold indifference.
“We only have to coexist for the next four months,” I tack on, trying to pacify him.
“Fine,” he snaps. “Don’t get comfy.”
He turns on his heel and disappears through my bathroom door, slamming it shut behind him.
I launch out of bed and run to flip the lock. I can hear his responding chuckle on the other side.
Asshole.
I know it wouldn’t stop him if he really wanted back in, but I do it anyway. It’s the illusion of control I’m after, not the promise.
The first tear slides down my cheek before I even make it back to bed. I crawl under the covers, curling into myself as the rest follow.
Axel’s not wrong. I am a risk. A burden. A liability.
The weight of the last week and a half crashes down like a wave, and utterly drained, I silently cry myself into a dreamless sleep.