Page 42 of Worthy Now
Sidling up to him, I clasp his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze before saying, “I might’ve been mad at you, but I still loved you, even when I thought you did something unforgivable. Seeing you up there looking so dejected and with no parents to support youbroke my heart, and it killed me that I couldn’t tell you how proud I was. So, I took this picture to capture the moment because I figured someone should.” Waiting for him to look at me, I tell him, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
“It’s okay. I understand. You had your reasons for keeping your distance.” Leaning down, he presses a soft kiss to my lips before he gives my backside a playful swat, breaking the somber mood.
“Enough with the melancholy. Go pack so we can get on the road. We have a full itinerary, and I want to make sure we have enough time to do everything.”
“You’re really taking me on a trip?” I ask as excitement takes over.
“Yes.” Jake snickers at my disbelieving expression. “Now, get going before I change my mind,” he calls over his shoulder, already heading back downstairs. I’m surprised it’s taken him this long to slink away, with the mouthwatering smell of freshly baked cookies hanging in the air.
I’m packed and ready in less than fifteen minutes and find my man exactly where I thought he’d be. In the kitchen, sharing a cup of coffee with my mom, who’s howling like a hyena as she wipes at the tears rolling down her cheeks.
My mother has a soft spot for Jake, whereas my father is a little less enthused about us rekindling our relationship. That’s why he’scurrently sitting in the living room watching the news and making no effort to interact with him, let alone make him feel welcome.
Once we get back from our trip, I’ll be having a serious talk with my father. Logically, I know he’s just looking out for me. It’s his job to protect me and seeing as I’ve barely set foot in this house over the past seven years, I can’t fault him for being weary. But it’s time for him to understand that Jake isn’t to blame for my cowardly behavior, and I don’t appreciate him treating someone so dear to me with such contempt.
“All done?” Jake asks when I wrap an arm around his middle and snatch the half-eaten cookie out of his hand.
“I think so. Since I didn’t know where we’re going or what’s on the agenda, I’ve packed something for every occasion. Don’t complain about the luggage waiting for you upstairs. But if I’m missing something, there’s always the mall, right?”
Jake’s laughter fills the kitchen as he takes in my hopeful expression.
“Not a chance in hell.”
My mother giggles at my exaggerated pout and rounds the counter to give me a tight hug.
“You two have the best time, you hear?”
“I promise to be on my best behavior and bring her back in one piece.”
“Well, where’s the fun in that?” my mom counters, giving me a wink that has me blushing. Jake grins at her like she’s the funniest thing he ever saw before he jumps off his stool and claps his hands together.
“Alright. Let’s get going. I want to get to San Antonio with daylight to spare.”
“We’re going to San Antonio?” I squeal, bouncing on the balls of my feet like a first grader.
Jake gives me an indulgent look. “Figured we could use a change of scenery.”
“Yay,” I shriek, throwing my arms around his neck and planting wet kisses on his cheeks.
“See you in a few days, Mr. Davidson,” he calls out loud enough for his voice to travel into the living room, where my father barely even lifts a hand in acknowledgment.
“Don’t mind him,” my mother says as she herds us toward the front door. “He’s been extra grumpy lately. I think watching me go through this is slowly but surely getting to him. Send me a text once you get to your hotel. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom. Take care of yourself and promise me you won’t overdo it. You heard what the doctor said. You need to take it easy. Listen to your body and rest if you feel tired.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she sings, as she not so subtly shoves me out the door. “Don’t you worry about little ol’ me. The faster you get out of here, the quicker I can work on turning your father’s frown upside down, if you catch my drift?” Her voice is a hushed whisper as she cups her mouth with a hand to stop her words from traveling. Unfortunately for me it doesn’t drown them out completely.
“For the love of God, Mom. I don’t need to hear this.” Jake bites down on his lip in a desperate attempt to hold it together long enough to get us to his truck.
As I fold myself into the passenger seat and wait for him to round the vehicle, I try my best to keep unwanted images of my parents doing the nasty at bay. I shudder when I can’t stop the mental image from forming in my mind, and for the first time since coming back, I find myself thinking about alternate living arrangements.
Twenty-Six
Tessa
“Wow, Jake. This is gorgeous,” I breathe as I enter our hotel room and turn in a slow circle to take in my lavish surroundings.
Everything is so fancy; I can hardly believe my eyes. An enormous jacuzzi tub sits smack dab in the center of the space, and I kid you not, a trail of rose petals leads the way to a king-size bed, where a pair of delicately folded towel swans sit on the pillows in an artful display. A chilled bottle of champagne rests in an ice bucket on the nightstand, ready to be consumed in a moment of shared intimacy. Jake scratches the back of his neck as he takes in our accommodation, looking slightly flushed.
