Page 71 of Honest With You

I sniff, unable to keep another flow of tears from streaming down my cheeks. I nod, forcing myself to smile gratefully at this ridiculously amazing woman who took care of us like we were her own. This woman learned English so she could understand us better. She took the best care of us and has committed all our quirks, allergies and heartbreaks to memory. Better than our own parents did.

I don’t know what I would do without her.

I allow myself one more minute in the safety of her arms before I take a step away.

“Salamat po.”

Thank you, Yaya Ella.

She smiles through her own tears before going back to the counter and arranging the sandwiches in a platter, along with a pitcher of juice. She hands it to one of the new cooks, who exits the kitchen, taking the appetizers and refreshments with him.

Reese loops her arm around mine, guiding me out of the kitchen.

My dad is on the other side of the door, his sleeves rolled up and his suit jacket missing. He has one hand in his salt and pepper hair and another in his pocket. His eyes, very much like mine, are stuck on the floor like he’s lost in thought, but when the doors swing back to close, he turns to look at us. He addresses Reese, who tips her chin up in defiance, braced to refuse his dismissal but he just shakes his head at her.

“I’m glad you’re here for your sister, sweetheart.” He checks his watch. “I’ve been told your brother is on his way home, but I’d rather we get this over with since our guests are waiting for us in the living room.”

“Dad?”

His eyes slide over to me and I swear I see a twinge of remorse in them, but it’s gone in the next breath and I’m met with his signature stony gaze.

“We’ll talk after this is over.”

Just like that, he walks away, leaving us with no choice but to follow him to the living room. I stop just outside of it, before we get a clear view of everyone on the other side. I drop Reese’s arm and press a hand to my chest as panic seizes me. My lips start to tremble with the threat of more tears and I have to shut my eyes, channeling everything I learned from the year of therapy Stephen forced on us after mom died.

“Ava?” Reese whispers from beside me. Her hands grip my elbows as a small whimper comes out of her, making my eyes fly open. I see every single fear I feel mirrored in her eyes. The thought of my little sister being afraid instantly calms me down. I think about all the times she has clung to me over the years and I remind myself that everything I do, every reaction she sees in me, could have a lasting effect on her. I do my best to shove all the anxiety down before gripping her hand in mine and walking into the room with my head held high.

Like a homing device, I find those ocean blue eyes the second I walk into the room. He straightens as his eyes take me in from top to bottom, pausing at the grip I have on Reese before they make their way back to my face.

His eyebrows knit in worry, no doubt from the sight of my bloodshot and swollen eyes. He makes a move to get up but is stopped by his mom, who squeezes his knee to keep him seated.

I tear my eyes away from him, letting Reese walk me to the loveseat opposite Jesse and his parents, while my dad chooses to stand by the fireplace. My eyes wander across the rest of the room, taking in the way his parents actively avoid my gaze. Aunt Phoebe chooses to stare at the floor while Uncle Adam is having a whispered conversation with my dad. I can feel the heat of Jesse’s stare and I know it’s taking everything in him not to cross the short distance between us.

The weight of his betrayal stings and now that I’m in his presence, the heartbreak I feel nearly overcomes me. It’s grief.

Grief for what could have been and for what was, making my heart feel like it’s been ripped out and shoved in the garbage disposal while a dull fork is forcing it in.

Involuntarily, my breath catches from the sudden rush of pain coupled with the nausea I thought had already dissipated, making my arms go around my abdomen. The unexpected movement catches everyone’s attention and the room goes silent.

My eyes lock on Jesse and he sees something in them that has him shooting to his feet again, his parents be damned. He takes a step towards me but the sound of the front doors opening and my brother’s voice calling my name stops him in his tracks.

He mutters an expletive while Aunt Phoebe pulls him back down onto the couch.

My dad clears his throat just as Stephen marches into the room, looking pissed.

Dad ignores him and just launches into his spiel, commandeering the room.

“I don’t want to go back and forth about the whys and hows. It’s done. Now, let’s all sit down and figure out a way to handle this, shall we?”

“Handle what, Dad?” Stephen grits out.

“Son—”

Stephen lets out an exasperated growl as he comes to stand beside Reese, just a few feet away from where our dad is standing by the fireplace. He shoots me a concerned look before he turns back to our dad, his arms folding in front of him.

“No seriously, Dad? What gives you any right to call a damn meeting and not even have the decency to give us a heads up? I had to hear about it from Ava’s ex?”

A small gasp comes from Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Adam shoves himself off the couch, grumbling under his breath about this being bullshit. That seems to pull Jesse out of his silence.

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