Page 38 of Crazy in Love

“Is that how you’re getting through it?” she asked. “Telling yourself that stuff and believing it.”

“Perhaps I do need to heed my own advice,” he said, not realizing until then that they had something in common. They’d both just lost someone they loved, and they both blamed themselves for it. Just like Hope, he had some guilt and shame to work through and overcome.

“I have to tell Faith, you know?”

“Do you though?” Hope asked, a hint of her old sarcastic self returning.

He huffed out a laugh. “Yes. And your dad.”

“Ugh. In this town, they’ll find out anyway,” she said with a shrug. “So, um, why am I in the driver’s seat?”

“I’m too high to drive.” When her jaw dropped in surprise, he explained. “My leg was killing me. I had to take a pain pill. I didn’t think through how we’re going to get you home and me back to Tess’s.”

“I’ll drive you to Tess’s and then walk home.” She started the car and adjusted the rearview mirror.

“It’s after midnight.”

“And? It’s less than a mile. I’ll be fine.”

She was probably right. The streets were well-lit, and Green Valley Falls wasn’t downtown Boston. He laid his head back on the seat. It wasn’t like he had much choice. “Okay.”

It was only a few miles, but he nodded off, and Hope had to jostle him awake when they arrived. They got out, and she met him on the sidewalk and handed him Tess’s keys.

“Thanks,” she said before turning and heading off. She was only sixteen but seemed to carry the weight of the world. Maybe he’d said something to minimize that burden. If only he could apply his words to his own life.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Faith carried her driver to the tee box and teed the ball. She settled herself and, with a well-aimed thwack, sent the little white orb soaring.

“Nice drive,” Tess said, teeing her own ball.

“I gotta be honest,” Faith said. “It feels good to hit something.”

“Yoga’s not the only way to relax.” Tess took a swing and sent her ball in the same direction as Faith’s. “So, what’s this I hear about you kissing Nick in the coffee shop?”

“That took forever to get to you.” Four days was record-breaking for GVF gossip. Faith waved a hand, brushing it off. “I was in a bit of a jam trying to avoid someone. That internet date I had? He wasn’t Mr. Right. I panicked. Told him Nick and I were engaged and had to sell it.”

“By kissing him?” Tess raised a dubious eyebrow. “You may go around locking lips with everyone, but Nick isn’t like that.”

“Did he say something?” That sounded very junior-highish, but Faith had felt a spark when their lips touched. Had he felt it too?

“Hello? This is Nick we’re talking about. Of course he didn’t say anything. Getting information out of that man is harder than this nine iron. Hope told me.”

“Hope,” Faith grumbled. “Don’t get me started. She’s gone from sassy to downright rude lately. What am I going to do with her?”

“I know you feel responsible for her, but technically, that’s your dad’s duty.”

“Yeah, well, he says he’s ready to step up, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, I can’t let her get away with stuff, even petty things. Who knows what it could morph into if I don’t nip it in the bud?”

They got in the cart and started up the trail.

“You’re a good big sister, Faith. And daughter. No wonder you want to hit stuff. You got a lot on your plate.”

That was no joke. And Tess still didn’t know about the bombshell, paternity-busting letters. With everything else going on, she’d put that little nugget on ice. Finding Bio Dad was down a ways on her priority list. She’d gone twenty-six years without knowing him. A few more weeks wouldn’t matter.

Between her dad, sister, hair clients, and the bookstore, she had no time for herself. She hadn’t had a proper meditation sesh in days.

“Back to the kissing-my-brother thing,” Tess said. “He’s not as free lovin’ as you are. Don’t lead him on when there’s no hope.”

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