Page 60 of Actions and Reactions
He hates me because I have it.
It’s a no-win situation and there are literally no answers as far as I’m concerned.
When I wake up, I’m not sure I slept a whole hour, but since Mom’s a very generous soul, she not only makes sure I’m awake but also gives me “a ride” to LA.
It means an hour and a half more of travel for her, but she insisted, and I’m too grateful to protest too much.
I smile, like I always do when Mom throws her arms around Dad and hugs the life out of him, then she kisses his cheeks and runs back to the jet so she can leave.
She kisses my cheek too on her way up the stairs.
“See you on Wednesday, baby.”
“Have a nice time, Mom.”
Dad greets me with one of his enveloping hugs and sways me from side to side for a solid thirty seconds. Then he looks me over, long enough to have me squirming, but he must be pleased with what he sees because he grabs my duffel and leads me to his SUV.
I know my parents’ relationship seems weird to other people, and of course it was strange for Lex and me too when they first divorced, but we got over that quickly because as far as we’re concerned, they didn’t change at all.
Growing up, we saw them hold hands and hug and be playful with each other, but I don’t remember ever seeing them kiss on the lips. They still love each other the same, but Michael is Mom’s one true love while Dad is her best friend.
I’m grateful that Michael understood this before we did, and that he’s become a friend to Dad as well, because if hehadn’t, I’m sure our lives would be very different. Mom only divorced Dad after she met Michael and realized it was love at first sight.
Is that what Silas and I are? Just two best friends and nothing more?
He doesn’t have any experience with other men, so what if he falls in love at first sight with some other dude someday?
I doubt I’d be able to deal with that as well as Dad has.
“You okay, Vin?” I snap back to reality and see we’re already on the highway on our way to my childhood home in the hills.
“Yeah, I’m—” I can’t lie. “I’m just thinking about Silas,” I admit.
“Paul told me he was a lot better when they flew out this morning. They’re taking him to this trauma center that’s supposed to be one of the best.”
“It’s a trauma center?” I demand. I don’t even know what that means.
“Yeah, that’s what it says on the website anyway. Paul sent it over and I researched it a bit.” That’s the kind of guy Dad is.
“Can you show me later?”
“Of course, son. Lex is flying in at about four, but Corinne has lunch ready and she’s working on the paella for dinner.”
I smile. I can almost taste it already.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“She was over the moon that you’re spending some timeat home, and I didn’t even have to ask her to make it, she just banished me from the kitchen.”
“As always,” I tease, and get the bark of laughter I was hoping for in return.
“Ain’t that the truth.”
What I was thinking about before creeps back into my head and I can’t stop myself from asking Dad about it.
“Do you think Silas and I are like you and Mom?”
“What do you mean?” He frowns, but keeps his gaze on the road ahead.
