Page 70 of Quiet Confessions: Part Two

“It’s better than her original plan for Vegas,” Nate comments and I nod.

“I just don’t know if I feel comfortable being away from you all for a whole weekend. Any way I could convince you all to come to the spa, too?” I look back at Rooke and give him my own version of puppy eyes and I know he’s about to cave, but Cal butts in.

“Nope, we have plans of our own, but we won’t be far away. You deserve some girl time, Pay,” he says and I sigh.

Ki continues driving as we fight over the music and snacks. Cal and Rooke drift off about an hour in and I have to take some photos. They are so cute together. Nate gave up the music fight and asked for my headphones, leaving Ki and I to be able to talk in private.

“You trust Dragon?” I ask him and he nods, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the song.

“I do. I wouldn’t bring someone close to you that would hurt you. Plus, you trust Spider… I mean Ash, right?”

“Yeah, he was the only one that helped Rooke, me, and the others. I knew from the moment he was told to touch me for the cameras that he didn’t belong there,” I mumble and Ki’s grip on the steering wheel becomes tighter.

“I can’t wait to kill Nixen. He’s going to pay. Him and that bitch, Isabella, for what they did to you and Rooke, and what they are still doing to poor, innocent children.”

Tears fill my eyes at the thought of all the innocents we left behind, but we have a plan. We will be freeing them all. We just have to get through this wedding first.

* * *

A few hours later we arrive and I’m glad. The guys had started to complain and I needed to stretch my legs.

Pulling up to the lake house, I choke back tears. It's been so long since I've been here, and I know the guys are just trying to cheer me up, but all this place does is remind me of the last night I saw my dad.

A phone rings from his pocket and he sighs, giving me an apologetic look. I roll my eyes and he kisses my forehead before pulling out the small silver device and reading a text. He sits up straight and his face turns white.

“Are you okay, Daddy?” I ask, and as he pulls me into a tight hug. His hands are shaking.

“Yes, baby. Just some work things.” He tries to wave it away, but I can see the worry in his eyes. I lie back on my pillow and he lays beside me. “Did I ever tell you about the day your mom told me I was going to be a dad?” He runs his fingers through my messy brown hair and I sigh. I shake my head no and he kisses my forehead again.

“We had just finished our sophomore year at Stonewall, and your uncle Nixen decided that a trip to the lake was in order. We had been studying really hard, and a relaxing week on the water sounded great. But when we arrived, it turned out to be a shack in the woods. The look on your mom’s face was priceless.” He stops and laughs, and I glance up at him.

“Daddy, is this the lake that we go to sometimes?” He nods and I listen as he talks.

“Yes, but this was before we built the big house. It was just a two-bedroom shack on the water. The moment we unlocked the front door, your mother took off like a bullet and raced to the bigger bedroom, claiming it before Nix or Cami could. When your uncle started to argue with her, she looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘I need the bigger bed,’ then turned to me and said, ‘I’m pregnant’.”

“At first, I was in shock, but then she gave me the biggest smile and I melted. I knew I loved your mom from the first day of high school. I knew that I would marry her someday, and she would give me tons of babies.” He pauses and turns to face me.

“Your mom wasn’t always distant. She used to be so much fun, full of smiles and laughter. She was my best friend. I miss that girl, but I want you to know, Patience, that she loves you more than anything in this world, and I need you to promise me something, princess.”

He looks so serious right now, and his eyes are glazed as if he’s trying not to cry. I nod and he squeezes me tighter in his arms. “Take good care of her. If, for any reason, I’m not around. I need to know that she won’t be alone. Either of my girls.”

Too bad he wasn’t psychic. Maybe if he was, he wouldn’t have left that night and would still be alive. He wanted my mom and I to band together, but that wish or dream he had for all of us was a joke.

“Penny for your thoughts, rabbit?” Nate mumbles and I sigh. I was too in my head and I didn’t even notice Ki, Rooke, and Cal had climbed out and started to unload the SUV.

“Just a penny? No, it's more like a thousand dollars. Do you ever feel like your life isn't what it should be? I don't mean dating you guys. I love you. I just mean that something isn't right.”

Nate climbs out and opens my door as I unbuckle. Taking my hand, he brings my knuckles to his lips to kiss before giving me a smile.

“When I was away from you, I constantly felt like something was wrong. I was just wasting days where I could have been doing something with you or Cal. I regret not spending more time with my grandparents, but it's too late now to worry about it.”

“I know, I remember how angry you were. I missed you all too, and now that we’re all together again, I just have this bad feeling that our time is limited.” I sigh and lean forward to give him a kiss.

Glancing around, I don’t see any other cars here. Ki walks over to us and he has my bag over one shoulder and a pissed off Mouse in his arms. “We didn’t bring the litter box. Rooke and I are going to run to the store in town. Cal and Nate will stay here with you. We’re still early, so maybe go for a walk or take a nap. You look exhausted, baby girl,” he tells me.

I move away from Nate and take the cat from Ki, then give him a quick kiss. Cal starts up the steps to the cabin and Nate follows. I wait until Rooke and Ki leave, then stare off at the lake, remembering how my dad taught me and Nate to swim there.

I hope one day when we have kids we can come back here and continue the summer vacations. I don’t want this place to rot any longer.

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