Page 40 of Truths

Smiling, she watches the small wedding reception. “I'm good. How are you?”

“Oh, the same as usual. But your mom's been redecorating the house. I think we have to move soon if she keeps buying shit.”

She laughs. “But you love it.”

“If it means she's staying, she can do whatever the hell she wants to. I spent so much time pushing my feelings aside that I forgot how much better I feel having her around.”

“I kinda like her, too. We should probably keep her.”

VP laughs, and in her mind, she can see him tilting his head back as he does it. “I'll let her know you said that. How's Summerville treating you?”

“It's good,” she says. “It's different.”

“Is it what you hoped for?”

Licking her lips, she watches everyone else slowly move to the dancefloor while Jennings masks spastic movements, causing laughter from everyone. “It's what I needed.”

“I'm glad, kid. Pick up any strays out there?”

“You know me,” she says and laughs. “I miss you, Dad.”

Not calling him VP for the first time, at least not sarcastically, feels strange. Good, but strange.

“Oh, God, baby, I miss you, too. I hate that you had to leave.”

Nodding, she pauses a moment. “Me, too.”

“But you're doing good?”

“I am,” she assures him. “For the first time in a long time, my response isn't forced or made up to make everyone else feel better. I'm not quite where I'd like to be, but I'm a hell of a lot closer than I've been in a long time.”

VP pauses. “I'm sorry for being part of the reason you felt you had to leave.”

“It's okay, I think. I talked to Jennings here at the wedding, and I'm not holding resentment. There was no anger when I saw him, which feels strange, you know? Good, but strange. I hugged him, and I realized that I kind of miss home a little bit.”

“It's okay to miss home, baby.”

“And when I saw Diesel dancing with Ashley, I had this overwhelming need to call you. To hear your voice. I think that means I'm healing,” she says and laughs, wiping an unexpected tear from her eye.

“You deserve that, Lex. You deserve so much more than we've given you, especially considering how much we expected fromyou. What we did was the furthest thing from fair, and I'm so sorry for that. Since you've left, a few of us have been forced to have the hard conversations to look at the mistakes we've made. I think we're also doing our own form of healing out here.”

A chuckle escapes her. “Does that mean I'm not banned and can come home if I ever want to?”

“Never!” he jokes. “You'll always be welcomed back with open arms, Lex. You and Colt can come back if and when you're ready.”

It's a good feeling knowing they didn't change their minds and decide they hate her now. “I should probably get going, but I wanted to call and tell you things are good. And I hope you're good, too.”

“I love you, kid. No matter how shitty of a father I've been, I hope you know I've always loved you.”

He always loved her, and she never doubted that. But his guilt and loyalty to Zane always seemed to win out over his love for her. “I know.”

“Have fun at the wedding. Shake your tailfeather, or whatever it is the kids say these days.”

“I don't think that's a thing anymore, but I'm also too old to know what the kids are saying these days. When did that happen?”

“It sneaks up on you, doesn't it?” he says with a laugh. “I know it did me. Hope I get to see you soon.”

“I love you. Give Mom my love, too.”

---