Page 75 of Breaking Point

“Good thing most roots don’t grow very deep anyways” comes Olivia’s reply as she walks up, call ended. She smiles, though it’s obvious the call is still bothering her. “What’s up?”

Taylor and I exchange a look. “I have to go back home for a bit. My uh- my Dad’s sick. But it’s a bit of a drive and Lydia’s in the hospital.”

Her eyes dart between us as she nods slowly. “What can I do to help?”

“Liv…” Taylor laughs.

“I’m serious. You need to leave. Go be with your wife and kid,” she says before turning to me. “And you… What do you need?”

I stare at her, trying to decipher the look on her face. “I can’t ask you to leave in the middle of all of your weddings right now.”

She smirks, the vision of victory. “Oh, get over yourself. Only thing I had planned was client intake this week. I could use a vacation,” she jokes. “Should I pack for the beach?”

Taylor and I share another look, and he smirks. “You haven’t told her about Mama Warden?”

Olivia raises a brow. “Mama Warden? Is that a nickname?”

Even Taylor laughs at that, patting her shoulder while Liv raises a brow. “Might wanna get your cowgirl boots out. Credence is in the mountains.”

She shrugs. “Skip the swimsuit. Got it. Only… two things. One: Chesna.”

“Bring her,” I say. “Two?”

“I need to see my dad before we go.” I raise a brow, but she’s not ready to talk about it, so I just nod.

She darts to her room, and I do my best to keep my composure as I imagine the phone call I’m about to have with my mom.

I’m bringing a woman home. Oh, and her cat is coming with us.

She’ll laugh, that’s for sure.

Taylor’s sigh is heavy, and he swipes at the bags beneath his eyes. “This will befun for both of us then.”

Considering?

I shoot him a look and his laugh is all I get in response.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Olivia

The same three haunting images play in my head: The fire, red roses, and my father. I wish I could bury them so they never see the light of day, but I know better by now. I can’t keep running from my problems.

But as I stare out of Crew’s car in front of Aspen House, I know my options are limited.

“I need to do this alone,” I say quietly.

The question on his tongue hangs between us. Part of me wants him to voice it. The other part wants him to kick the car in reverse and get us out of here. The voice of reason is luckily what guides me. I pop the car door, surprised when Crew reaches out, gripping my wrist.

“The moment you need backup,” he whispers, his touch warm. “You call me.”

My chest squeezes, and I allow myself to smile. “Thank you” is all I manage before I step onto the gravel leading to the front door.

The sun is setting fast, and the house is dark when I knock. Dad opens the door. His eyes light in surprise when he sees me standing on his front porch.

“Hey, Button,” he says, closing the door so he’s only visible through a gap. He spots Crew’s car parked in the driveway. “Are you okay??"

My voice is a sigh. “We need to talk, Dad.”

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