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“He told Hunter that his mom had left him and Drew and Ella behind because she didn’t love them.”
Mom and Dad both stare at me, wide-eyed, their mouths open. “H—He said that? To his face?” It’s Dad who speaks first. I’m not sure Mom’s capable.
“Yes.”
“That’s a d—diabolical thing for anyone to say.”
Mom steps forward, coming closer to me again. “It sounds like he had a tough childhood.”
“A tough adulthood, too. He was cheated on by his ex-girlfriend…” I let my voice fade, wondering if I should have said that, but Mom just nods her head.
“Ahh. That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“Why he finds it so hard to trust people. I’m guessing that, when he met you, he thought he’d found someone different. Discovering you’re Ken Bevan’s daughter probably made him feel as though his world had come crashing down around him.”
“I know. I understand that. But even I didn’t know who I was. So why did he blame me?”
“I guess he just assumed the worst.”
“Hmm… and that’s the part that hurts the most.”
Dad moves forward too now, taking a little longer to join us. “Will you take some advice from me?” I nod my head. “Will you allow for the fact that people make mistakes?”
“This was a big mistake, Dad.”
“It was. But that’s all the more reason for giving yourself some time to work it out. One thing you can’t do is to spend the rest of your lives throwing this back in his face. You have to be sure you’ve put it behind you, so you can move forward together.”
“It’s the only way,” Mom says as I look at them, leaning against each other, their heads bent close, and I know they’re right.
***
Hunter
I take just over three hours to drive to Newport, which is roughly what I would have expected. I’m not in any hurry to drive away from Livia, so I stick to the speed limits all the way, and pull up outside the house just after lunch.
I thought about going straight back to the city, but couldn’t face it without Livia. Now I’m here, though, I’m not sure this is going to be any easier. In fact, I think it might be harder… the memories are more difficult to take.
I climb from the car, closing the door, and pop the trunk.
“Hunter?” I turn, hearing my name, and see Pat coming down the steps from her and Mick’s apartment, above the garage. She’s frowning at me, looking confused. “What are you doing here?”
I wonder about using Drew’s line and reminding her I live here, but in the end I just say, “It’s a long story.”
She starts toward me and I step away from the car, meeting her halfway as she looks up into my face. I know she can see right through me, and it’s an uncomfortable feeling at the moment. I’m too ashamed of my actions, and too raw for close scrutiny.
“Do you want anything? I can…”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m fine, Pat.” That’s about as far from the truth as anything I’ve ever said. “I’ll fend for myself. You enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
“You didn’t bring Livia with you?” she says, glancing into my car.
“No.”
She looks into my eyes, hers softening, and then she takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Let me know if you need me.”
Why did she have to say that? A lump rises in my throat, and I struggle to swallow it down. I can’t speak, but I nod my head, and with a slight smile, she lets go of me and turns, making her way back up the stairs again.
