Page 123 of My All American Girl

Shock painted his face, even through the rage. I would have laughed if it wasn’t so serious. While he was still seething, I decided I would take my leave.

After grabbing a cookie, I walked out of the garage and nibbled on it, wondering if that conversation had swayed Mo at all. Sarah was sitting on the front step of the house, wringing her hands. She popped up to her feet when she saw me coming.

“What did you talk to my dad about? Did he punch you again?” She looked at my face. “Please tell me you didn’t hit him.”

I smiled and shook my head. “No punches this time. Come for a drive with me. We need to talk.”

She looked around. “Let me tell my mom. I don’t want her to worry.”

“I’ll be in the car.”

I got into the rental car I’d picked up from the airport after landing in Colorado. I waited for her, keeping an eye on the garage door. I had no idea what he might do. He stepped out of the garage just as Sarah came out the front door. I gripped the steering wheel, waiting to see what happened next.

Sarah looked at her father and then me. She walked toward the car and I hopped out and opened the passenger door for her. Neither of us said anything until we were down the road.

The scenery passed by in a blur. I drove without really knowing where I was going. We reached a scenic lookout, and it seemed liked as good a place as any to talk.

I parked the car and had to take a moment to appreciate the beauty. The mountains stretched out before us, a beautiful backdrop for a conversation that would change everything, one way or another. I supposed if I was about to spill my guts, it made sense to do it somewhere beautiful.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“I’m okay. You?”

She sighed. “Honestly, I have no idea.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Dean, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” I answered. “Technically, both of you. I thought it would be better to have these conversations in person.”

She nodded, blinking back tears once again. “I understand.”

“Sarah, are you okay?” I asked again.

“I’m fine.” She forced a smile.

“I’m guessing your visit hasn’t gone well?”

She let out a small laugh. “No. I found out I’m a horrible sister and a worse daughter. I’m selfish and self-absorbed. I suck all the oxygen out of the room. I play the victim too much and I’m basically awful.”

“The hell you are,” I said. “That’s not even a little bit true. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t feel that way. You are none of those things. Whoever said that doesn’t really know you. Except sucking the oxygen out of the room. Maybe you do that, but only because when you walk into a room, I can’t look anywhere else.”

She smiled softly. “Thank you. I still can’t believe you are here. Why? Really, what are you doing here? We said goodbye. I don’t know if this is helping.”

“How are you for real?” I asked her.

She was worrying me. I had never seen her look so defeated. I was pretty sure she had lost a little weight. It was clear she wasn’t sleeping. The dark circles under her eyes were a testament to that. Despite all of that, looking at her made my heart soar. She was beautiful. I could smell her unique scent. It brought back so many memories. Memories that had been haunting me for weeks since she left. It was the scent that I dreamed about.

“I’ve had better days.” She smiled softly. “My dad is just not ready to forgive me for breaking his rules. Is that why you’re here? To try and get back into his good graces?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not really. I’m here for you.”

“Me?”

I turned to her, my heart pounding. “Sarah, I came to tell your father that I’m not giving up on you. I’m in love with you, Sarah Thomas. You’ve given me more than I ever thought I deserved, and I’d be a fool to let you get away. Even if it costs me the friendship I have with your father, it will be well worth it. So long as you want me, too.”