though I wasn’t going back for very long, my stomach was in knots, just knowing I had to go at all. No one should feel that way about their home. Home should be what Sunny had once said—safe, comforting, and welcoming. My house was none of those things.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Sunny sniffled against my neck.
It was the longest we were going to be apart since we’d started dating, and I hated the idea of leaving her. I wanted to be by her side all the time. She anchored me and gave me peace. It was an incredible feeling to know that while other parts of my life might be shaky, she and I were solid. There was something about having a stable relationship that made all the other shit bearable … even if it still sucked.
“I’m going to miss you too. But I’ll call you every day, okay?”
“I freaking hope so,” she said as she swatted my arm and growled. She actually growled at me.
“Why’d you hit me? You’re always hitting me.” I pulled my bag out of the backseat of her car and slung it over my shoulder.
“ ’Cause who wouldn’t call their girlfriend every day? That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“Babe.” I couldn’t help but laugh as I reached for her chin and held it in my grip before planting a kiss on her luscious lips. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that.” Clearing her throat, she looked up at me, her blue eyes shining like freaking sapphires. “I mean, yes, I’m going to miss you so much that I don’t even want to think about it. But I’m worried.”
The last thing I wanted was for Sunny to worry about me. I could take care of myself. I’d been doing it for years. “Why? What are you worried about?”
She bit the back of her thumb, stalling. “I’m worried about your dad. What if he doesn’t let you come back?”
I wanted to reassure her and tell her that Dick Davies couldn’t stop me if he tried, but the same question had definitely entered my mind. There was always the possibility that Dick wouldn’t allow me to come back to Fullton. Not that I’d listen, but that threat was still there.
“Nothing is stopping me from coming back for the season,” I ground out, determined, channeling my inner Rocky. “Or for you.”
A small but still worried smile formed on her lips. “Okay. But you’ll tell me if things go sideways, right? I’ll come get you.”
She’d offered to come get me. The fact that this girl loved me that much was so fucking overwhelming at times. What did I do to deserve her? I wasn’t sure I’d ever stop asking myself that question.
“I love you so much.” I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms, holding her tight.
“I love you.” Her breath was hot against me. “You’d better go,” she said, pulling away, and I glanced back at the inside of the airport, thankful that it wasn’t too crowded.
“I’ll text you when I land,” I said before walking inside and leaving my heart in the front seat of her car.
*
I felt sick to my stomach for the whole flight, which was only an hour. Not even enough time to formulate a plan—and I always needed some sort of plan. Letting my guard down around Dick wasn’t an option, and he never came unprepared. The only slight sliver of hope was that maybe he wouldn’t be the one picking me up, but I knew that was a long shot.
Dick Davies loved to verbally destroy me, and he rarely missed an opportunity. So, imagine my surprise when I finally stepped into Baggage Claim and saw a man I didn’t recognize, holding a sign with my name on it.
“I’m Mac,” I said as I walked up to the stranger.
“I’m Curtis. Your dad sends his regards. Do you have any luggage?”
“Just this.” I motioned toward the bag slung over my shoulder.
“Follow me,” he said, and I did as I had been told.
Once we were outside, he walked into the closest parking lot and pointed at a blacked-out Mercedes G Wagon. He opened the rear passenger door for me, and I got in before firing off a text to Sunny, letting her know I was here and that I’d call her later.
There was so much I’d been keeping inside recently. My fears about the upcoming season. Coming here for the holidays and all of the familial