AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s sad that she hasn’t known her, and that she’s sick.”
“I understand.”
“Soon she’ll be playing Barbies and dress-up with Remi like she does with Kevin’s girls. What about your dad?” Chase asked. “I remember that you told me he tested to donate also, but you never said how he did with Remi.”
“That’s because I’ve barely spoken to him since he basically disowned me. He paid my tuition so I could finish nursing school, but we don’t see each other at all anymore. He didn’t want his political career stained by his promiscuous daughter. I only asked him to test because I was desperate, but we don’t have a relationship anymore. Remi doesn’t even know him.”
Chase’s face showed his deep concern. “That’s sad, Teag. You’re his only child and Remi is his only grandchild.”
“I know, but in all of this misery, he’s never even come to see her.” I always got that sick, empty feeling when I spoke about my father. I had nothing for him but contempt and resentment.
“What a bastard!” He shook his head in barely disguised disgust.
“Over there, Roma. There they are!”
I heard Frank Forrester’s voice behind us, and Chase stood to greet them. Jensen saw them too, and made his way over to our group. I was nervous and didn’t know how to react, and I could see the same apprehension painted all over Jensen.
“Mom, Dad.” Chase greeted them, hugging his mom and shaking his father’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here. You remember Teagan and Jensen.”
“Of course,” Frank said. He moved forward to give me a hug and then offered his hand to Jensen. “Hello, Jensen.”
“Hello. It’s good to see you. Roma,” he greeted her. “How have you both been?”
“Hello, Jensen. We’re fine, thank you.” He hovered, awkwardly unknowing of what to do, until Roma held out her arms to him. Relief flooded his features as he took her up on the hug.
Afterward, my eyes skirted to her face. How would she treat me? Guilt was probably dousing me like a deluge. “Hello,” I said softly. “I’m sorry.” I blurted it out because I couldn’t stop myself. I was emotional; on the cusp of tears.
Jensen’s instinct was to put an arm around me and Chase noted it, and tension visibly coiled all over him. It was an innocent enough gesture. Jensen and Chase were both protective, and neither of them was to blame for their reactions.
Roma stepped forward and took both of my hands in hers. “Let’s just worry about Remi, shall we?” She had such a gentle face and she and I had been so close while Chase and I were dating. My own mother had been dead for years, and Roma had made me feel like her own child. They’d treated both Jensen and I as if we were part of their family, and technically, I guess we were. We both spent many holidays and school breaks with them.
“I’m so very sorry,” I said again, and squeezed her hands. I prayed she could feel how deeply I meant it.
“Hush. There is plenty of time to sort everything out.” She still had that gentle comforting way about her. Roma Forrester was the epitome of nurturing, and her kindness caused tears to rain down my face. “Chase told us enough for now. I trust my son and if he forgives you, then you must deserve forgiveness,” she said simply. “How is that beautiful little angel?”
My heart soared at her words, thankful to see love and not hate in her eyes. I wiped away a tear or two that managed to escape my eyes. “Um, we’re waiting for her doctor. He said he’d come down here to give us an update before Chase’s surgery. She was irradiated last night, so I’m not sure how she is.”
“We’re all worried about her,” Jensen added, “but anything would be better than more chemo.”
“Chase explained it yesterday. Poor little thing.” Chase’s dad said before turning his attention to Jensen. “You’re doing well. I see you all over ESPN, lately. You’re practically the new Frank Gifford.”
Jensen smirked and seemed more at ease. He rolled his eyes. “Chris Fowler, maybe. I’m getting there. I don’t love the traveling, though.”
“I can imagine.”
We continued to talk and clock watch. I could see Chase’s agitation as the minutes ticked away and Dr. Radar still hadn’t made his appearance.
“What time do you have to do this, Chase?” Frank put a hand on the top of Chase’s shoulder.
He looked at his watch. “Soon, I hope. It’s all this goddamned waiting that drives me crazy.”
We all sat down to wait; the men were talking together and Roma sat next to me. “We’ve missed you and Jensen, Teagan. It was like I lost two of my own children. I wish you would have felt able to talk to us.”
“I didn’t know what to do. I just—” I shrugged sadly as the memories of those first days after Chase left surfaced. “He was so happy about Arsenal. I couldn’t ruin it. He wouldn’t have gone. I couldn’t take the chance he’d blame me, years later, for missing out.”
Her gaze washed over my face, her expression filled with sorrow. “You can’t know that’s what he would have done. It was his responsibility, too.”
I nodded and swallowed at the painful lump in my throat, looking down at my hands. “I know, but I thought, I’d finish school and then go over there, and it’d all work out. Then he could have both.” Every word hurt as I said it. “I never expected my dad to be so awful.” Part of me wanted to let her know about that fateful phone call, and another didn’t want to cast any shadow over the image she had of Chase. “I didn’t expect Jensen to go to him, either.”
