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I sighed. He was right. If it weren’t for my father’s lies, I wouldn’t have my mother.
I whistled low. “A lying asshole in exchange for the best mother in the world?”
Damian grinned a little and popped more cheese curds into his mouth. “Feels like an even trade.”
He shifted in his chair and said, “Truly, though. If I learned anything in life, it’s the fact that family isn’t about blood ties, it’s about loyalty. It’s about the people who love you and are honest even when it’s hard. It’s about the people who show up day in and day out to help make you the best version of yourself. It’s about being in a place where you can be authentically yourself and not feel shamed for it. It’s having dreams and having people to cheerlead them. They say blood is thicker than water, but water is a lot smoother going down. It refreshes you and nourishes you. It’s good for your body, good for your spirit. Don’t take shit in that makes you feel heavy. Only accept love that feels good to the soul and give that love back tenfold.”
“For a man who claims to be tough and cold, you sure give good speeches.”
“Having kids softened me. I had to be a better man for them. It comes with the job title.”
“Lucky kids.”
“Lucky Damian,” he corrected.
“I think I’m going to like this having a brother thing.”
“You’re not too much of an annoying shit, so that’s refreshing.”
“I still can’t believe you flew all the way out here to check on me.”
“We’re family. That’s what family does. Looks out for each other. So”—he clapped his hands together and smirked—“when do I get to meet this special lady of yours?”
“She’s at her parents’. I had her mom and dad invite her over for a movie. After we are done here. I was hoping I could have your help with something if you’re up for it.”
“What do you have in mind?”
45
Hailee
Movie nightswith my parents were one of my favorite things. Except for the fact that Dad had a way of talking all the way through it and asking questions about the movie as if Mama and I knew better than him what was going on. Mama always ended up throwing popcorn at him, telling him to shush.
“Did you hear that Laurie is selling the house?” Mama asked me after the movie went off. The past few weeks have been crazy. Aiden was heading back to Los Angeles soon, which broke my heart a little, and Laurie’s whole world had been turned upside down.
“Is she?”
“Yeah. Figured it was about time. Samuel told her she could keep it, but she felt as if she needed a fresh start. Which I can understand. That brings me to the next topic at hand.” Mama took Dad’s hand into hers and they smiled my way. “Since our bakery has grown so much over the past few years, we have made more money than we’ve ever imagined. So we have decided to sell our house too and get our dream home.”
“What?!” I gasped, shocked. “You’re selling this home?” I didn’t know why, but that fact brought tears to my eyes. Mama already had a tissue ready to hand my way. I took it and wiped my tears away. I was currently sitting in the house that raised me. It was the only home I’d ever known. Those four walls, that roof, those doors and windows… they all told the story of my life. It was within that home where I met my best friend. My person. My Aiden.
I looked around the living room and kept swiping at my overflowing tears.
“It’s okay,” Dad said, putting a comforting hand on my knee. “Feel all of the things you need to feel about this.”
“It’s just… I’m happy for you both. This is a good thing. This place has so many of our stories in it. It’s just odd to think—”
Before I could finish the thought, I heard knocking.
I sat up straight. “Is someone supposed to be here?” I asked.
“Not that I know of…” Mama looked at Dad. “Did you invite someone?”
“You know I don’t like people,” Dad joked. “But it sounds like it’s coming from your bedroom, Hailee.”
Strange.
The three of us stood from the couches and headed to my bedroom to find out what was happening. The moment I turned on my light, I saw a stranger standing outside my window, knocking.
