What if my dad gets greedy for money and shows up drunk to an event?
My palms begin to sweat at the mere possibility.
“Don't let that asshole rob you of this,” Porter huffs over the phone. “You've earned your place in the spotlight. He can't take that from you.”
“He could if he wanted to,” I reply, trying to slow my breathing.
“Dude, he can't even afford the gas. He drinks and gambles every dime.”
Porter makes a fair point.
Perhaps my dad's addiction and resulting poverty is the very reason I’m safe.
Have I finally outrun the monster?
And if I have, why do I still feel like I need to watch my back?
???
I face a shadow of a different kind soon after that.
But before the shadow comes a glimmer of sunlight.
Business has been thriving since the magazine article dropped.
I’ve never been happier.
Money is flowing in abundance.
To crown this achievement, I purchase my first property.
The cabin at the lake.
The one I escape to whenever I need a moment beneath the stars.
Holding the keys in my palm, I return home to share the news with my love.
I discover a trail of rose petals leading from the mail box to the front door.
They continue down the hallway toward the dining table.
Olsen is busy lighting candles.
He wears nothing but an apron.
That's when it dawns on me.
Is he about to propose?
Oh fuck.
“Babe, you're home early,” I sigh.
“I wanted to surprise you,” Olsen smiles. “There’s something big I'd like to ask...”
Nothing can prepare me for what happens next.
Olsen has been offered his dream job.
