Page 13 of Only You

“I know you don’t.”

I shut the door and stood there with my hand on the handle. After pouring another scotch, I took it to the terrace and stared at the city. What the hell was I going to do? Now that Cora was gone, I had nobody to care for Lucy while I went to Harbor Falls. I was planning on leaving tomorrow, and there wasn’t enough time to find someone.

The doorman alerted me that the pizza had arrived. After he brought it up, I thanked him and set the box on the kitchen island. Lucy walked in and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

“Sit your ass down at the table. You’re eating dinner,” I sternly spoke.

“I said I’m not hungry!” she shouted.

“I don’t care. If I have to shove it down your throat, I will. Now sit down!”

I grabbed two plates from the cabinet, put a couple of slices of pizza on each, and set Lucy’s plate in front of her.

“I don’t know what to do with you,” I said. “I’m not good at this father thing.”

“Maybe you should have thought about that before getting Mom pregnant.”

“You watch your mouth, young lady.” I pointed at her.

“I don’t want to be here. I hate it here! I hate Chicago!”

“Too bad. You don’t have a choice. Life isn’t fair, and it sucks. Get used to it, kid. When you’re finished, I want you to go pack your suitcase.”

“What?” Her blue eyes widened. “Why?”

“We’re taking a little trip and leaving tomorrow.”

“Where are we going?”

“To my childhood home in Harbor Falls. Your grandmother passed away, and we need to attend the funeral. I have some business to take care of there.”

“Why do I have to go? I never even met my grandmother.”

“Because now that you’ve been suspended from school and Cora is gone, I have no one to take care of you. So, you’re coming with me.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t either, but I don’t have a choice, and neither do you. If I have to go, so do you.”

“You don’t want to go to your own mother’s funeral?” Her little eye narrowed. “What kind of son are you?”

“It’s complicated, kid. I haven’t seen my mother since I was sixteen years old and moved to Chicago.”

“Why?”

“A lot of reasons—reasons I’m not discussing with you.”

CHAPTER 5

Alex

When I stepped off the plane, I inhaled the South Carolina air that I thought I’d never breathe again.

“Welcome back to Harbor Falls, Alex.” Ralph hugged me.

“It’s good to see you, Ralph. This is my daughter, Lucy.”

“Hello there, beautiful young lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand.

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