Page 87 of Whisper of Surrender (Whisper Lake 2)

“Is it Max?”

Jess didn’t really know Brynn’s ex-husband all that well. They’d been high school sweethearts, she’d gotten pregnant at sixteen and they got married. The marriage hadn’t lasted due to Max’s dating life not slowing down, and she was divorced by the time she was old enough to vote. Her ex had moved to Chicago shortly after that and only came back to town sporadically to see Ryder.

“No. He flaked on seeing Ryder again last weekend, but that’s nothing new. Ryder doesn’t even pack anymore, he just waits to see if Max shows up and then throws some clothes in his backpack if he does.”

“Is it your mom? Is she okay?”

Brynn’s mom had owned a shop that sold crystals and was a self-proclaimed spiritual guide. When Jess was ten she’d used money she’d received for her birthday and bought several crystals that were supposed to have healing powers. She still had them in her nightstand.

Margo left and moved to Palm Springs a couple of years ago. Right around the time Jess had her heart transplant.

“Yeah, she’s fine. It’s my dad, actually.”

As far as Jess knew Brynn had never known her father.

“I didn’t know you were in contact with him.”

“I’m not. Not really. I barely even know him. When I was a kid he’d show up a few times a year and stay for a few days and I thought that was normal. I thought that’s what all dads did. But when I got a little older and went to school I realized a lot of kids lived with their dads. I asked my mom about it and she told me that my dad was married and had another family that he lived with. At the time, I really didn’t understand what that meant, I just sort of accepted it. But when I was a teenager, I Googled him and found out he was a politician. I saw pictures of his family. He has a wife and four kids. One of his daughters was born the week before I was. For some reason, that made me never want to speak to him again.

“I think the last time I did was when he stopped by after Ryder was born. But, last week he called and left me a message saying he was going to be out of reach for a while. Then the next day I saw his face on all of the morning shows. He’s in some trouble—”

“Wait! Is your dad Senator Wilson?”

“Yep.”

“Wow.” Jess had noticed the news stories about the senator from Massachusetts because Brynn’s dad had Hollywood good looks, but she hadn’t really paid attention to what was going on.

“Yeah, it’s been a little surreal. And I don’t know, I just want a change.” Brynn looked like she was running from ghosts of family past. “Anyway, what about you? How are you doing post-Ethan? Have you talked to him?”

“No.” Not since I told him he was chicken shit.

Jess had replayed that conversation over and over again in her head and as much as her delivery left a lot to be desired, she wasn’t upset that she’d said the things she had. She might’ve been able to choose better words to use, but she stood behind the sentiment.

She had honestly believed that Ethan would follow her to her car.

He didn’t.

Then when she got home, she’d been sure he was going to call her or show up.

He didn’t.

She told herself he just needed a little time to get his head out of his ass and once he did, he’d come crawling back to her.

He didn’t.

He’d done exactly what she’d asked him to do if he didn’t love her. He’d left her the hell alone.

“I’m sorry,” Brynn said sincerely.

“Me too.” A sad smile tugged at Jess’s mouth as she picked up the scissors. “Are you ready?”

Brynn lifted her soda can. “To fresh starts.”

Jess tapped the scissors. “To fresh starts.”

As much as she hated it, that’s what she needed. A fresh start.

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