Page 31 of Finally Home

“Of course, and would you prefer to sit inside or on the garden patio? It’s a gorgeous day out.”

I glance over to ask Hollie to see if she has a preference. “You pick.”

Turning back to the hostess, I reply, “Outside, please.”

“Of course. Follow me.” She grabs two menus and turns, heading toward the garden patio. I hold my hand out for Hollie to walk in front. It’s a little awkward carrying the luggage, nearly missing bumping into a few chairs, but I manage. I probably should have taken the bags to the car, but oh well. The hostess wasn’t kidding; it’s gorgeous out.

“Is this okay?”

“It’s perfect, thank you,” Hollie says, just before she looks up and soaks in the rays of the sun.

“Allow me.” I pull out the chair for Hollie and press my lips to her shoulder, but her body stiffens as laughter rings out around us. We both turn to find her parents, brother, Scarlett, and, of course, Brett at the table across the patio, laughing and smiling. They’re seated at a five-person table, so they couldn’t even use the excuse that they were waiting for us to join them.

“Decision made,” Hollie mutters.

Before I can even ask what she’s talking about, she takes off toward their table.

I leave our bags by the table and take off after her, hot on her heels. “Hollie, babe. Wait.”

When she stops in front of their table with her hands on her hips, I nearly run into her back.

“Wow, isn’t this a nice little family get-together? My invite must have gotten lost in the mail.”

Her clipped tone catches everyone’s attention, and five pairs of eyes turn our way. “Maybe if you had an actual address, then you would have,” Topher snidely remarks before shoving a bite of food into his mouth.

“Topher,” Scarlett scolds, speaking up against her fiancé for possibly the first time all weekend.Hmm, maybe the girl has a voice after all. And here I thought she was like Ariel and had made a deal with the sea witch who stole her voice.Only she must realize what she’s done because one look from Topher and she sinks back in her chair.

“How were we to know that you were planning to show? You left the party last night so abruptly.” Vivian’s gaze moves to me before returning to her daughter. “After all, you didn’t join us for breakfast yesterday as a family.”

“You’re right. I left the party early last night so that I could spend the night with my boyfriend. Someone who actually gives a shit about me. I’m not dumb. You only wanted me here so that you could give off an appearance of being a loving family.”

Okay, I see that she’s decided on option B.I place my hands on her hips, just to remind her I’m right here.

“But someone would have to be dumb, dead, or blind to see none of you care. Or well, one of you probably does, and that’s fucked up in its own right.” Hollie scoffs and angles her body toward Brett. “Being your dirty little secret for all that time was probably my second dumbest mistake to ever thinking or, hell, even wishing that things would be different with this family.”

The table is quiet while they process all that Hollie just unleashed on them. The shocked expression on Topher’s face quickly turns to anger as it finally sets in that Hollie just said that she and his best friend had been together. While I would love to put my fist through Brett’s face for the bullshit he tried to pull last night with Hollie, maybe Topher will beat me to the punch—pun intended.

Of course, Brett stays quiet. The man had so much to say last night, yet now, nothing. If he truly cared for Hollie, he’d take this time to stand up for her and defend his feelings. But his silence is deafening and makes me hate him ten times more.

I assume Hollie has made her peace, but then she speaks up again.

“But I’m done. This has gone on for far too long. I don’t care that you don’t approve of my life choices because here’s the thing—” Hollie pauses and takes a few shallow breaths. My hold on her tightens slightly, just trying to reassure her she’s got this. “It’s my life, not yours, and none of you have a say.”

“Holland, keep your voice down,” Vivian whispers as she looks around the room.

“Why?” I chuckle at the slightly higher volume of Hollie’s voice. “Am I embarrassing you? Am I ruining your picture of perfection?”

“Holl—” her father starts, but she cuts him off with a loudno.

“You’re acting like a child,” her mother scolds. One more comment by them and I’m throwing my girl over my shoulder, either for her safety or theirs. If they keep talking to her like that, I won’t be held accountable for my actions.

“I get I don’t fit in your cookie-cutter mold, but I’m me. And I’m sorry that’s not enough for you.” I hear the small quiver in her voice, but she stays strong. “But it’s enough for me. It’s a shame that it just took so long for me to realize that.”

Based on the way her body is slinking against mine, I think she’s running out of steam.

Hollie spins in my arms and places her hands on my chest. “Ol, I seem to have lost my appetite this morning. Come on, let’s go home.”

She takes one step away from me before I tug her into my chest and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her. “I am so proud of you, baby,” I whisper against her lips before taking her hand, squeezing tightly, and heading back to the table to grab our bags.

---