Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Maxinne
The summer heat is already sticking to my skin this morning, promising another hot day ahead. I personally love summer and how the warmth feels as if it’s wrapped around me like a hug. I welcome its comfort as I step off the porch to make my way over to Zane’s cabin.
I spent most of the night awake, staring at the wooden ceiling, replaying over and over everything I said and didn’t say to my Dad. With it came the memory of the sharpness in my tone, the silence that followed, and the expression on his face when I walked out of his house without saying goodbye.
Ugh, why does this have to be so hard?
Zane is already on his porch. Steam curls from the mug in his hands as he leans against the railing, his gaze fixed somewhere out past the lake. I pause to admire him.
The early light catches in his hair, turning the darker strands to gold.
The sleeves of his shirt are pushed up, exposing forearms lined with strength earned through years of hard, honest work.
His jaw is shadowed with stubble, and there’s a crease between his brows as he concentrates on the lake in the distance.
Once he notices me, his entire face changes.
A ridiculous grin threatens to take over my face because some part of me is still standing back, blinking in mild disbelief.
It’s hard to reconcile the girl who drove into Covewood months ago—bruised, guarded and absolutely not looking for a relationship—with the girl who can’t stop smiling because Zane Quinn is now her boyfriend.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” I give him a small wave and make my way up his porch steps.
He glances down at the grocery bag dangling from my wrist, one eyebrow lifting, as he asks, “What’s that?”
“You bought me Olipops so I wanted to buy you your favorite drink.”
I reach inside the bag and pull out a six-pack of chocolate Ensure drinks, holding it out like I’ve just presented him with a grand prize. He stares at the bottles for a few seconds before his head drops back in laughter.
“No way.” He presses a hand over his heart. “Maxinne…you bought me Ensure?”
I shrug, fighting a smile. “It was the least I could do.”
He shakes his head, still laughing as he takes the pack from me. “This is, by far, the most romantic gift I’ve ever been given.”
He shakes his head, still chuckling as he tucks the Ensure beneath one arm, right as Sven barrels between us like he’s waited long enough.
He jumps and gives me his version of a hug, his paws pressing into my leg as he holds on and waits for me to give him a pat.
He lets out a little sigh as soon as my fingers scratch behind his ear.
I never would’ve guessed that a dog could’ve stolen my heart the way Sven has.
“I told you he was trying to steal you away from me.” Zane chuckles, giving his dog a pat on the head. “I wanted to hug you first.”
I grin, biting my lip, absolutely loving that these two are fighting over me. It’s adorable. “Alright, Sven, you have to share me. It’s time for Zane to get some love.”
I give Sven a gentle tug, encouraging him to release his hold on me, but he doesn’t budge. Zane snaps his fingers, and with a loud grunt, Sven finally moves back down onto the porch. The attitude of this dog is unreal.
“Go lie down or chase a squirrel or something,” Zane tells Sven, who follows where he’s pointing and rushes into the yard.
I press my lips together to hide my smile, but it’s no use. Zane turns toward me, taking my hands into his, and tugs me to him. “Come here.”
I place my hands onto his sides as I step into him, his arms wrap around me, and I lean my head onto his firm chest. The sound of his steady heartbeat grounds me in the way I desperately needed. I tilt my head back, and Zane’s gaze drops to my mouth.
When I push up onto my toes, he meets me halfway, and his lips find mine.
His hand lifts to my jaw first, his fingers barely grazing my skin.
His palm settles warm against the side of my neck as he draws me closer.
I feel the exhale he releases against my skin.
As we pull apart, his forehead drops to mine.
His hand on my neck remains, his thumb tracing absent circles against my skin.
“I could get used to this,” he says with a hint of a smile in his voice.
I sigh. “I was thinking the same thing.”
He scans my face a little closer this time, his brows pulling together. “Are you okay?”
I blink up at him. “Yeah. Why?”
He tips his head, his thumb brushing my cheek. “You look tired.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I didn’t mean anything bad by it, I promise.”
“I know. I didn’t get much rest last night.”
His hand slips down to catch mine again. “I’m assuming you lost a little sleep over the whole fight with your dad.” He tilts his head, and a crooked grin tugs at his mouth. “Or maybe I got you so flustered you couldn’t stop thinking about me.”
I laugh and give his shoulder a playful shove.
He chuckles, squeezing my hand once. “For the record...I lost sleep too.”
My smile falters just enough for him to notice. The teasing fades between us, replaced by the weight I’ve carried with me since yesterday. I let out a slow breath, my gaze dropping to our joined hands. Saying it out loud somehow makes it real all over again.
“I know I was in the wrong when I blew up at my Dad.”
Even though I understand this, the confession still aches beneath my sternum. Understanding my dad’s limitations doesn’t erase what his absence has done to me. It doesn’t magically make the past stop hurting, and that’s what I’m struggling with.
“I’m not sure where we go from here after what I did.”
I stare down at our joined hands, and his thumb brushes slowly over my knuckles.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“It’s fine.” I shrug, even though it doesn’t feel fine.
Zane reaches down to grab one of the Ensure drinks, twists the cap loose, and holds it out with a grin. “Maybe this will make you feel better?”
A laugh escapes me. “You really like this old-man drink, huh?”
“Excuse you. This is premium nutrition.”
I take the bottle and eye the label skeptically before taking a cautious sip. The chocolate flavor hits first, thick and creamy, followed by a strange vitamin-like aftertaste that makes me blink.
Zane watches me expectantly. “Well?”
My face immediately scrunches. “I don’t understand why thirteen-year-old you stole these from your grandpa.”
He bursts out a loud cackle. “Not a fan?”
“Let’s just say I won’t be stealing these from your fridge.”
“More for me, then.” He takes the bottle from my hand and drinks from it without hesitation. “Not that you asked for my advice, but it might bring you peace if you talk to your dad about how you’ve been feeling. You both desperately need to get everything out in the open so you can move forward.”
I know he’s right. It doesn’t make it any easier to face, though. I dread confronting my dad, but it needs to happen.
Zane tilts his head closer. “Can I pray for you?”
Most people offer advice when they don’t know what to say, while others change the subject entirely. But Zane doesn’t try to fix me. He sees the hurt I’ve been trying to hide and offers to carry it with me.
My throat tightens, and I nod. “Uh…yeah. That’d be nice.”
He takes my hand back into his as we bow our heads.
“Lord, please guide both Maxinne and Charlie today as they take a leap of faith into healing their relationship. Please give Maxinne peace, courage, and compassion as she faces her dad today. Please bring understanding and forgiveness to them both. For we know that the only way to truly heal is through You. It is in your name that we pray, amen.”
My eyes sting with tears as the tension in my chest loosens at his words. I’ve learned lately that with prayer comes an unspeakable comfort and peace. I welcome it with open arms.
“Amen,” I repeat.
My nerves return as soon as I park in Dad’s driveway.
The trembling in my hands jingles the keys as I place them into my purse, and I stay seated for a moment longer.
I stare at Dad’s cabin and wonder if he’s even awake yet.
I don’t know what I’m hoping for. Maybe to find some closure or that, when I leave here today, I won’t feel any worse than I already do.
I draw in a slow breath, press my palm flat against my chest, and whisper a prayer. I’ve been trying to pray more and talk to God often. I’m aware that my faith is a bit rusty, but since being in Covewood, I’ve been trying, and I know that’s better than nothing.
God, help me face him today. Help us get through this, please. I need your help.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I open the car door and make my way toward Dad’s cabin. It feels like déjà vu as I reflect on the first time I walked up to this place feeling the same sense of apprehension. My hands are still shaking when I go to open the door to let myself inside.
I find my dad sleeping in his chair, the sounds of his snores vibrating through the room.
I decide not to wake him and go into the kitchen to start preparing us some breakfast. By the time I’m putting the fried eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast onto his plate, and an avocado toast on mine, Dad appears in the doorframe.
His eyes widen in shock. I know, Dad, I’m just as surprised as you are.
“Hi,” I say quietly, holding up the plates of breakfast as a sort of truce. “I made breakfast.”
His mouth opens and then closes. His brow pulls tight as he attempts to work his words free.
“You didn’t have…” he gets out, shaking his head out of frustration before he backs out of the way and walks into the dining room.
“Maybe not. But I did it anyway.”
I gesture for him to sit down at the table, his chair scraping faintly as he goes to sit, and I set the plate down in front of him.
I’m a bit awkward when I try to choose which seat I want to sit in.
Do I want to sit next to him, or do I want a little space between us?
He pats the chair next to him, and I finally take a seat.