Page 31 of Hidden Vows
“I need you to wake up so I can tell you everything,” I whisper, leaning forward, my elbows on my knees. “I know you’ll be disappointed, but I need to tell you the truth. It’s time I stopped hiding.” I’m silent as I watch him for a moment, hoping and wishing he’ll open his eyes. “Come on, Dad.”
I hear the steps before the person clears their voice, alerting me to their presence. I know it’s her even before she speaks. I could go an entire lifetime without her in my life, and I’d always know when she’s near.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come back later.” Her voice is like a blanket draped over my shoulders on a cold night, comforting in all the best ways.
Shifting in my seat to look at her, I offer her a small smile. “No, it’s fine. I interrupted your time with him; it’s only fair you get to do the same.”
She wavers slightly, her weight shifting back and forth before she steps further into the room and places her bag in the empty seat beside me. “Any changes?”
“No, but the doctors say that’s not necessarily bad.”
Abbey moves to the other side of the bed, taking his hand in hers before bending to place a kiss on his forehead. “Hey, Walt. Don’t you think it’s time you woke up now?” she whispers, still bent over his frame. “I think you’ve milked this long enough.” Her eyes shift to me for only a moment before returning to my father’s face, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I’m transfixed. “You got him home. Don’t sleep through your time with him.”
“I’m not—” Her eyes cut to mine so quickly, a clear message of “shut up” pouring through. I stop talking.
It’s not until she takes the seat next to me that she speaks again, her voice so quiet I have to lean closer to hear. “He doesn’t need to know you don’t plan on leaving—not yet anyway.”
“You believe I’m staying?” I don’t mean for the words to come out, but when she walked away Friday night, I thought I may have ruined the small bit of progress we’d made. But the fact she’s sitting next to me, looking at me with such kindness in her eyes, I can’t stop the hope from burning inside.
“I know you’ll stay until your dad is back on his feet. I knew that the second you walked through those doors.” Her eyes stay trained on mine like she’s trying to make sure I don’t miss the words she’s about to say. “And I believe you’re going to doeverything in your power to make things right between us. I just don’t know if we agree on what that looks like.”
Shifting in my seat, I angle my body toward hers. “Abbey, I need to talk about what happened back then. I want to tell you everything.” I want to reach for her, take her hand in mine, but I hold back, unsure if I could withstand her rejection in this moment.
“And I wanted you to tell me everything back then.” There’s no malice in her tone, just honesty. “Now, I need to move on.” She’s the one who reaches for my hand, sandwiching it in hers. “I’m not trying to be hurtful, but I’ve lived in this weird stasis since you left, and I’m finally starting to go after the things I’ve always wanted. Ineedthat to be my focus, and rehashing the past with you won’t help me with that goal.”
I let my eyes roam over her face, studying every inch. It’s been seventeen years since I’ve been this close to her, since I’ve been able to count the faint freckles across her cheeks, and I never want to go that long again. I never want to miss seeing how her face changes over time. I know the only way I’ll be able to do that is to show her I mean what I say, and that means giving her what she’s asking for.
“Okay.” I squeeze her hand still holding mine, a soft smile spreading across my lips. “We’ll focus on getting you your dreams.”
This was a bad idea.Why did I agree to this?
The mantra for my day continues on a loop as I walk up to the front door. My knuckles barely touch the door when it opens, and Ava’s smile greets me.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
“Happy birthday,” I say as I pass her. “I had no idea what to get you, but I remember Dad saying you like Guinness, so I took a chance and bought you some good Irish Whiskey.”
“Oh!” She smiles, taking the bottle. “You didn’t have to get me anything, but thank you.” She gives me a quick one-armed hug as she studies the bottle. “Redbreast? Is this what you served Abbey and me at the bar last week?”
“It’s the same brand, but not the same bottle. My dad would probably disown me if I gave out shots of this stuff without charging.” I chuckle, trying to make a joke.
“Twenty-one-year-old whiskey…” Her brow lifts. “That can’t be cheap.”
I shrug, trying to act like I didn’t spend 450 dollars on a bottle of whiskey. “Benefits of running a bar. You can get some pretty nice discounts if you know the right people.”
Ava doesn’t believe me, if the glint in her eye is any indication. “All right. If that’s the story you want to go with…” Her words trail off as if giving me a chance to tell the truth, but when I don’t open my mouth, she laughs softly, shaking her head. “Come on. Everyone’s out back. Let me introduce you.”
“I didn’t get anything for your brother. His birthday is next week, right?”
“Tuesday, but I don’t think anyone will blame you for not getting a gift for someone you’ve never met. I didn’t expect you to get me a gift when you barely know me.” She laughs as she pushes open the screen door to the backyard.
“I was always told to never show up to a party empty-handed.”
Ava glances at me over her shoulder, that brow lifting yet again. “I’ve met your dad, and while he’s a very kind man, I wouldn’t have guessed he was teaching you about proper party etiquette.”
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes. “No, it wasn’t my dad who taught me that.”
Ava doesn’t get a chance to respond before Gage walks up and pulls her into his side. “Hey,” he says, extending his hand to mine. “Glad you made it. Did Ava introduce you to everyone?”
