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Chapter Thirty
We said goodbye to Macy, who didn’t seem too upset about the prospect of a road trip with her new friends. Being with Leo for the last few days seemed to have eased the fears that she felt after the attack. He’d allowed her to see that he was there for her when shit got hard and that the people around her would love and protect her.
The trip to my mom and step dad’s place didn’t take long.
I hadn’t told them I was coming, so when we pulled up to the curb next to their house, I suddenly felt nervous.
Leo reached over and grabbed my hand. “I know you wanna see them, but we really need to make this trip as quick as possible and get back on the road. You never know when he may appear, and the last thing we want to do is draw attention to your parents.”
I nodded in agreement. Simon hadn’t been supportive of me seeing my family. At first, I thought he was being supportive, but now I realized he was playing on my dislike for Keith, my step dad, using it to keep me close to him and away from them.
It’d taken me a long time after he left to understand just how manipulative he’d really been. I was shocked when he’d come in that day, back from Vegas, a changed man. But I soon grasped that I shouldn’t have been surprised. The little things finally added up, making me see he really wasn’t the man I had made him out to be in my head.
I pulled the door handle, climbing out of the truck and standing on the sidewalk as Leo made his way around the vehicle. He wore his club cut over a black hooded sweatshirt and dark denim jeans.
He looked amazing, but with a dark edge that I hoped wouldn’t scare my mom or Keith before they got to know him. He took my hand in his as we walked up the path to the front door. I knocked, excitement finally starting to overcome the nerves as I anticipated seeing my mom.
When she pulled the door open, we both stared for a moment before a wide smile broke onto her face. “My girl.” She held out her arms, and Leo released my hand as I threw myself into her waiting embrace.
I giggled as she swayed back and forth, her face tucked against my shoulder. It was a few moments before she pulled back, holding me at an arm’s length and running her eyes over my body. “Look at you,” she whispered.
“Hey, Mama.”
Her eyes finally left me and took in Leo, who stood a few feet back. “Hello, I’m Marie,” she greeted, my mother not one to be rude to a visitor.
Leo stepped forward, holding out a hand which she took in hers. “Leo, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she answered with a soft smile. “Please… come in.” She stepped back, holding the door as I lead Leo inside. He followed me down the hall and into our large family area. The kitchen, dining and living room was a large open plan space.
I spotted Sammy sitting at the kitchen table with Keith, playing a board game. “Hope you aren’t cheating, Sammy,” I said loudly with a grin.
His eyes shot up from the table, and he was out of his chair within a second, running toward me. “Hadley!” he yelled as he leaped into my arms.
I hugged him close, trying to press back the tears that were forming in my eyes. He’d gotten so big, I couldn’t believe it. “Geez kid, stop growing.” I laughed, the ten-year-old already at my shoulder. Soon, he’d be towering over me.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, pulling back, his eyes wide with excitement.
“We were in the area, thought we’d make a quick visit,” I told him, scruffing his hair.
He moved his eyes, spotting Leo.
“How’s it, man?” Leo said, sticking out his hand.
I could tell Sammy liked Leo instantly, loving that Leo hadn’t addressed him like a child. He put his hand in Leo’s and shook it hard. “Good, man,” he answered seriously.
Leo smirked.
“It’s good to see you, Had.” I turned to my step father. A small smile present beneath his salt and pepper goatee. I’d already told myself I wasn’t going to make this tense or awkward. This wasn’t about our problems, this was about seeing my family.
“Hey, Keith,” I said, stepping toward him and giving him a quick hug.
“I’m going to pull some things out for lunch, lucky I did groceries yesterday,” Mom said, walking over to the kitchen and beginning to fuss. “Sammy, clean off the table please, then go and get washed up for lunch.”
Sammy rolled his eyes but moved over and started to pack away the game, before heading out of the room and down the hall.
Keith gestured to the sofa, offering us to sit.
“Keith, this is Leo,” I said as I took a seat. Leo sitting beside me and placing his hand on my lap.
