AllFreeNovel
Share Us
8
CHASEN
Everything went to shit after that.
Marjorie isn’t speaking to Hank. Hank isn’t speaking to me. The sisters are only speaking to me. Hazel is speaking to no one.
She’s been holed up in her room for thirty-odd hours.
I knew I needed to make a big gesture. I can’t right the wrong Hank did. But I can make certain my Hazel knows she is wanted here.
Knows she is loved.
It may be a long shot to even think that’s a possibility now but come hell or high water I am going to give it all I’ve got.
I told Liz and Sophie and the Queen Bees and said I needed their help. A plan, of sorts, to win my girl’s heart again. If I ever had it. As much as they all seem to love to meddle, none of the women could agree on a scheme. They become immediately divided and basically as not helpful as possible.
So I guess I’m on my own, now.
The plan I come up with is wholeheartedly idiotic, but in my heart I know it’s what I need to do. What I want to do with every fiber of my being. No matter how reckless and stupid. I sure as fuck don’t need an audience, only her.
With the whole town gearing up for tomorrow’s festival, and Hazel seeming to want nothing to do with any of it or anyone, I have no one in my way.
Except Hank.
He’ll show up in support of the town, but he’s not big on the planning of the festivities, either. When I knock on the front door he answers it with a scowl.
“Want to tell me what your problem is with me,” I say, boldly.
Hank narrows his eyes at me. “Boy. Lest you forget…”
I shoulder past him and into the house. “Of course I never forget what you and your family have done for me. Of course I am grateful.”
“I know you kept her out, son. I know what you’re doing. You think I am going to let you move in on one of my daughters, parade her around the town in my face?”
“Oh, now she is your daughter?” I challenge him. “That’s convenient.” He moves in closer and I hold my gaze at his eye level. His jaw tense as he pins me in a staring fight.
“Yes,” he says, his tone sharp, clipped.
I can’t do it. I breathe out a long, slow breath. Looking down at the floor. Back up at his face. I shrug.
“I love her, Hank. I love Hazel. I want to marry that girl and keep her here. I’m going to do exactly that, so you better fucking make things right with her soon—”
“You what?” I hear an angel’s voice at the top of the stairs.
“Hazel…” Oh fuck. How much of all of that did she hear? This can’t get any goddamn worse.
Hazel makes her way down the stairs. She walks right up to Hank. She pauses. Her eyes roving slowly over his face. With a soft smile she lifts up on tiptoe and folds her upper body around him. I’m surprised when Hank doesn’t hesitate. He wraps his arms around that girl and hugs her tight.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s okay if you did,” Hazel says. “This is all so new and weird, isn’t it? Let’s just give it time.”
“I do love you, Hazel,” Hank says. The corner of his eye shines with a tear that will never fall. But there it is, anyhow.
“I love you, Dad. And you—” Hazel turns a look on me. I raise my eyebrows up at Hank. I’m going to do it, my eyes warn him. I’m going to do it right the fuck now.
Hank gives a sort of approving half nod.
