Page 11 of Valley

Her expression dimmed, shadows of old pain crossing her features. “No, more like dumped.”

“Who would dump you?” I asked, the words slipping out before I could think them through. My hand moved on its own, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Her skin was warm against my fingers, and I wanted to feel more, to pull her closer and feel a hell of a lot more. “He had to be blind and dumb as shit.”

A bitter, almost self-deprecating smile tugged at her lips. “I was the dumb one. I believed every lie he told me,” she admitted, her voice quiet, as if she was confessing something she’d kept locked away for a long time. “But turns out Ellie and I didn’t need him anyway. We’ve been just fine.”

“I’m glad he fucked up,” I said, and I meant it. The thought of her with some other guy made my blood boil, but knowing he was out of the picture brought a dark satisfaction. I chuckled softly as I watched her blush, her cheeks turning that irresistible shade of pink that made her even more beautiful. I opened her van door, the moment stretching out longer than it should have, both of us caught in something we didn’t fully understand yet. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, yeah?”

She nodded, her eyes meeting mine with a softness that made my heart pound in my chest. “Yeah, Jarrod, I’ll see you.” She got into the van, and I stood there, watching her drive away, my mind racing with thoughts of her, of us. Finally, I turned and walked back inside, the taste of the night still lingering on my lips.

Later, straddling my bike and roaring down the road, the fear that had been lurking in the back of my mind all night began to claw its way to the surface. I was treading on thin ice, getting close to Madeline, but I couldn’t stop. I’d wanted her for so long, and now that I had the chance, I couldn’t seem to deny myself.

Would I pay for it?

The thought kept repeating in my mind, twisting my gut into knots.

I pulled into the clubhouse and sat for a minute on my bike, the engine ticking as it cooled down. The fear of what awaited me twisted at my insides, a familiar dread that had haunted me for years. If Kezia knew what I was doing... I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought, but her memory was like a shadow I couldn’t shake. Finally, I took a deep breath and went inside, heading to my room. The shower was hot, almost scalding, but it did nothing to wash away the unease clinging to me.

Dropping into bed, I stared up at the ceiling, waiting.

Waiting for her.

But the room remained silent, the air still. Maybe she had moved on, and I was finally free to live my life. I could feel the weight lifting from my chest as the minutes ticked by without her appearance, and I sighed in relief before finally drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, I opened my eyes, the sunlight streaming through the window, warm and real. I smiled as I sat up, throwing off the covers, the lingering fear from the night before dissipating with the morning light. Kezia didn’t come, and she hadn’t come in months. My heart raced with the thought of being free, truly free, to go after Madeline.

After all these years, I could make her mine.

The memory of Kezia’s laughter sounded faintly in my mind, but I shook it off. The past was a ghost I had to bury, and with Kezia going away, I could finally do it. Madeline was here,now, real and vibrant. The fear that had gripped me last night began to fade, replaced by an excited determination I hadn’t felt since that awful day. This was my chance to start over, to build something real with Madeline, and I wasn’t going to let it slip through my fingers.

But as I stood up, ready to face the day, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Kezia standing there, her eyes full of sorrow and accusation. But the room was empty, and I was alone.

For now.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Chapter Seven

“MORNING, DAD,” Igreeted, sliding into my usual spotat the kitchen table. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up from the steaming cup Dad had set out for me. It was a simple gesture, but it never failed to make me smile.

“Morning, Ellie,” I added, reaching out to touch her tiny nose. She giggled from her highchair, a sight that always warmed my heart as she dug into her cereal.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to take Ellie with me today,” Dad said, rolling his wheelchair to the table to talk while I ate. “I thought I’d take her to the park while I catch up with Tom.”

Tom was one of Dad’s old veteran buddies. They met a few times a week, and it did wonders for Dad’s spirits. This handicapped apartment was pricier, but its location was perfect. Dad could wheel himself to McDonald’s for coffee, enjoy the nearby park, and stay connected with the world he loved. It gave him a sense of independence that was priceless.

“That’s a great idea, Dad. Ellie will love it,” I replied, smiling. I usually took Ellie to the studio with me, cherishing every moment we spent together. Janice, the studio owner, was a kind woman who understood my need to have Ellie close. Besides, Ellie was a sweetheart, always playing quietly or watching without causing any trouble.

“What time do you go in tonight?” Dad asked, running a hand through his blond hair. He was still a handsome man in his early fifties, despite the scars that told stories of his past. It saddened me that no woman had looked past them to see the incredible man he was.

“Six,” I said, my heart fluttering at the thought of seeing Jarrod again. His presence had transformed my feelings about going to work. “I’ll be done at the studio by two, so we can have dinner together before I leave.”

“That’s good, honey,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee. “I hate that you have to work so much. I wish I could do more.”

“You do plenty, Dad. Taking care of Ellie and everything around here means the world to me,” I said, squeezing his hand. He had sacrificed so much for me growing up, ensuring I had dance lessons, cheerleading uniforms, everything I needed. It wasn’t until years later that I realized how expensive it all had been. Despite losing his legs in combat, the military support was minimal, and we had to fight for every bit of assistance he got. It was heartbreaking how veterans were forgotten. “I love what I do. It’s not a hardship.”

“You’re a good daughter, Madeline,” he said, kissing my cheek. Ellie started chattering, demanding our attention with her sweet, babbling voice.

For over a year, I had juggled multiple jobs, barely making ends meet and feeling constantly exhausted. Then, one day at the studio, a girl mentioned she made thousands dancing at a gentleman’s club. Initially, I doubted I could do it, but once I started, I found it easy to lose myself in the dance. I wasn’t ashamed of my body, and soon enough, I was earning more than I ever could with those other jobs, giving me precious time with Dad and Ellie.

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