Page 2 of The Secrets Behind Us

"Yes.”

"I love you. And I’m really glad that you're finally coming home, I’ve missed you.”

With her words, a tear falls down my cheek. “I love you too.” It's no more than a choked whisper.

Hanging up my phone, I take one last deep breath. Ashley’s right. It’s time to woman up and face the inevitable.

Chapter two

Hazel

My heart is pounding as I pull into my parent’s driveway.

You can do this, Hazel.

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. My family loves me. It’s just after the way I left and how I’ve stayed away for so long, it's all so overwhelming now that I’m back.

Rose Valley, a place that has so many great memories but also holds a dark cloud over me. The house I grew up in sits in front of me. It’s a modest two-story house. A tree stands in the front yard, hanging from it is a swing. One that Ashley and I used to swing on after school. The backyard is fenced in with just enough room for us to run around as kids. The house is in a typical middle-class neighborhood on the outskirts of a small town. Nothing special. But it holds a special spot in my heart. I still remember the day we moved in when I was eight years old.

Seeing the park when we first moved in, running toward it, ready to play…that’s when I saw him for the first time. A skinny, messy and dark-haired boy, swinging by himself hunched over as he stared at the ground. He looked sad and defeated. I was drawn to him immediately. From that moment, that boy had my heart and he’s never let it go. No matter how hard I’ve tried to get it back over the years.

The front door to the house opens, drawing my attention and bringing me back to the present. My father is standing on the porch looking over at me, probably wondering why I’m just sitting in my car. It’s time to face the music. Though my family will be an easy reunion. It will be when I inevitably see Dexter that will be the hardest to face.

I take a deep breath and exit the car. “Hey Dad.”

“Hey, honey. How was the drive?” He slowly makes his way toward me.

“It was long and uneventful.” I respond as I grab my purse from the passenger seat of my car.

“That’s good. Uneventful is always nice when you’re driving cross country.” A tight smile pulls at his mouth as he throws an arm around my shoulders.

“Yes. I’m glad to make it in one piece.” I poke him in his stomach as I tease him.

My dad laughs as we make our way up the porch stairs. “Your mother has been waiting for you. She even made you your favorite meal, chocolate chip cookies,” he says with a kiss to my temple.

“Mmm…I can’t wait to dive in.”

My dad opens the front door and guides me into the house, the smell of freshly baked cookies hits me immediately. I'm home.

“Judy, guess who I found outside?” He yells across the house.

“Paddy, I told you not to yell at me. Just come find me and talk to me,” she hollers back.

A smile spreads across my face as warmth fills me. I’ve missed this. My parents always did love bantering with each other. It was something I hated growing up but now have come to miss.

“Are you going to tell me who you found?” She calls from the kitchen.

“Your favorite daughter," I holler back before my dad can.

A squeal comes from the kitchen, and I can’t help but think, oh man here she comes, I’m sure the neighbors can hear us. My mom busts through the doorway of the living room and wraps me in a bear hug. She pulls me so tight it feels as if she is a boa constrictor trying to force the life from me, but this is who my mom is.

I tap her on the shoulder as I stutter out, “Mom…can’t…breathe.”

She pulls away, wiping the tears from her face as she whispers in a longing voice, “I’m sorry, Hazel. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you when we came back to California for Christmas. It's been even longer since you’ve been home.”

Guilt racks through me knowing that ever since that night I’ve kept everyone I love at arm’s length. “Sorry, Mom.”

She lightly smacks my arm. “Nonsense. It doesn’t matter. You’re home now. Come on, come on. I made you some cookies. Let’s go into the kitchen and I’ll give you some.”

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