Page 41 of Trusting You

“I don’t think you do. You want to do this, I can’t stop you, but I’m also not going to encourage it,” he stood up and shoved away from the table.

“They can stay here,” Avery reached across the table and patted my arm. “I’ll talk to your dad. He’s just worried about you. I know he struggled when you were little and he just wants more for you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I shook my head as I stared at the floor. “She’s really great. She loves that little boy, and I think I do too.”

“I’m sure he’s great,” she smiled before standing.

“You’ll see. They’ll be here tonight,” I grimaced as the words slipped from my mouth.

“Way to give me time,” Avery rolled her eyes.

“Sorry?” I cringed.

“We’ll make it work. Now, you better go back to your place and pack some stuff. I’ve got work to do,” she wagged her finger at the hallway where Dad had disappeared to.

“I don’t want to know,” I laughed lightly before heading outside. I’d walked to their house, and now I was thinking the walk home would do me good. I needed to clear my head and think about how I was going to keep the peace between my father and myself this weekend.

Chapter 18

Melinda

By the time we arrived at Emma’s parents’ house, the sun was starting to set. We’d rolled down the windows, and the ocean air was blowing through the car, causing my hair to swirl all around my head.

“Finally,” I sighed when Emma cut the engine.

“You’re telling me,” Em groaned at she stretched and opened her door.

I glanced into the backseat to find Brooklyn fast asleep. His hand was clutching his blanket as he sucked his thumb, a habit I’ve been trying to break for a while now.

“You made it!” Emma’s mom shouted from the deck above. She was smiling as she pushed back off the railing and began jogging down the stairs to where we were. “I wanna see this baby,” she clapped her hands excitedly.

Emma frowned as she watched her mom breeze right past her and lean into the car. “Hi,” she waved, but her mom kinda brushed her off.

“Oh, he’s so cute,” she grinned at me. “If you ever need a sitter when you’re in town, just call.”

“Mom,” Emma huffed. “I just drove six hours with a kid in the car to come spend the summer with you guys and you act like I’m not here.” Mrs. Sutter brushed her off again as she watched me unbuckle Brooklyn and lift him out. “Maybe I should just have a kid, too.”

“I don’t think so,” her dad glared at her. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re not doing any of that,” he waved his finger around as he tried to keep a stern face.

“Right,” Emma laughed as Brock and Aaron came walking up off the beach. They were both barefoot, but dressed in khaki shorts and golf shirts. I couldn’t help but stare as I watched the wind tousle his hair.

“Hey, beautiful,” he weaved around everyone and stopped in front of me, leaning down to place a light kiss to my lips.

“Hi,” I grinned. I couldn’t help it. For the first time in a long time, I was happy. I didn’t have anything to worry about, and it seemed that everyone was ok with Brooklyn and I being here for this family event.

One by one the rest of the group left us without us even knowing. I looked around, and they were all walking off. “Let’s get you settled, then I’ve got plans for tonight.”

“Plans?” I blinked against the waning sunlight.

“Yep,” he nodded as he rounded the back of the car and began grabbing mine and

Brook’s bags. “Mom is going to watch the little guy, if you’re ok with it, and we’re going to have a bonfire on the beach.”

“You have it all planned out, huh,” I laughed lightly, causing Brooklyn to stir.

“Hell yeah. Early graduation present,” he smiled before leading me down a small path that ended by the slider to his parents’ house.

“This is cool,” I mused as I looked back at where we’d come from.

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