My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,81

would make sure she understood that, no matter what she thought.

Someone cleared their throat at the door, and I looked up to see my dad.

He was alone, no Jessica in sight, and I was grateful for that. Not that I didn’t want to get to know my future sister whenever Jessica gave birth, but since Mum was here, I didn’t want things to get more awkward.

“Pacey,” my dad whispered before he looked at my mother. “I can come back.”

Mum shook her head. “No, come in. It doesn’t matter what’s going on between us; we’re still a family. And our son is sick. Standing together for him when he needs us is the one thing we were always good at.” She gave Dad a small smile, and I saw the sadness there. I didn’t know if I would ever forgive him for what he had done to her. I didn’t know if I should or if it was even my place, but Mum was trying, and I supposed my dad was, as well.

“I’m not sure what to say,” my dad said. “I can’t believe you’re here. That you were shot. On campus.”

My chest hurt, and it had nothing to do with the shooting. My parents were here and ready to take care of me. That counted for a lot. I needed to get over my issues and remember that we’d been a family long before things changed so harshly. “I’m fine. My kidney is doing great. They’re adding a bunch of stuff to my system to make sure an infection doesn’t set in, and I’ll only have a small scar.”

“I want to wrap you in Bubble Wrap and take you back to England.”

“I think my home is here now,” I said and gave my dad a strained smile. “Is that okay?”

My mum wiped tears from her face. “We’re okay with anything you want, Pacey. You’re the one who’s supposed to make the decisions. We’re with you, no matter what.” She met my dad’s gaze as if threatening him to disagree with her.

My dad swallowed hard. “I agree with any decision you make. If you end up going to Oxford for a post-doc, though, you know you’re always welcome. I’ll be here and overseas both, depending on the month. I’m never leaving your life, Pacey, even if you want me to.”

I sighed and sank into the pillows more. “I’m a little too tired to have this conversation, but I don’t want you out of my life. I just don’t like you much right now.”

My dad nodded tightly. “I don’t blame you. I don’t think I like myself much right now.” He looked at my mum as he said it, and then he stuck his hands into his pockets. “I’ve made some mistakes, and I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

My mum wasn’t looking at him, but she smiled down at me, her hand in mine. I wasn’t part of their marriage, and I wouldn’t get in the middle of things, but my dad was here to check in on me, and that counted for something.

“We love you,” my mom said. She looked at my dad, and he nodded. “And there is someone outside who wants to meet with you to talk. So, we’re going to go. We’ll see you tomorrow. You have an entire passel of roommates and girls out there wanting to speak with you. I think you’ll be busy until it’s time to rest. And you will rest.” She squeezed my hand, and I smiled at her. “I love you, too. Both of you.” I looked at my dad. “We’ll talk later. I promise.”

My dad gave me a tight nod, tapped my foot with his hand as if afraid to get too close, and gestured for my mom to lead him out. They left me alone for a few moments, and I wondered what would happen next. They weren’t my responsibility, but I could love them, and I could try to figure out how they fit into my life. I couldn’t fix my parents or make them love each other, but I could try to figure out who I was without them. And try not to fuck up my life with Mackenzie along the way.

And as if me thinking of her had brought her to me, Mackenzie stood in the doorway, her eyes wide.

“Mackenzie,” I whispered.

She looked up at me and swallowed hard. “Pacey,” she breathed. And then she moved forward. She took a seat in the chair my mother had