Page 52 of Going Home

Following them inside, Hailey tries to think about what they could have possibly gotten her. It must be something significant, otherwise it wouldn't seem like this big of a deal. Or maybe they're showing her the door and saying she's officially an adult now. She can be on her own and make her own way in life. Iris and Harold would have.

They walk to the front door, and her stomach drops. Colt didn't pack up what little she has and put everything on the porch, did he? "Where... Where are we going?"

Not saying a word, they share a smile and step onto the porch to wait for her. Colt wraps his arm around Lex's shoulder, and she wraps hers around his waist. Where her coffee went, Hailey has no idea, and she hesitates.

She's scared to step outside. Not just because she’s worried they're kicking her out, but because these two people love like no one she's ever met before. As much as she wants to keep her distance from them and everyone else, she can't deny she wants them to want her. If they kick her out, if they tell her she's not worthy of their care and affection, she doesn't know what she'll do. This is exactly why she's never wanted to let people get even remotely close to her other than Lucas.

She steps outside, her heart in her stomach, and she turns to see a car with a giant bow on top. It's not brand new, but it's newer. No rust. "You bought me a car?"

"We're only paying for the first one, so don't total it," Colt says. "Lucas said your favorite color is green, so we picked this one."

They talked to Luke? He knew and didn't say anything?

"Do you like it?" Lex asks, her hand releasing Colt and dangling the key fob from her fingers.

She must've swapped the coffee mug for the key. It's a new enough car to need a fob for a push start. Taking the keys, she feels like crying. "You bought me a car? I can't believe you bought me a car."

"You're eighteen now, and you're going to be heading off to college in the fall. At least, that's what you said you plan to do. You're going to need a way to get around."

Hailey walks down the steps in a daze and opens the car door before sitting inside. It's beautiful. Better than any vehicle her parents ever drove, and she hates the tears stinging her eyes.

Don't cry. Don't you dare cry. Not in front of them.

"Well?" Colt asks, walking up to the open door and leaning on it. "How'd we do?"

"It's amazing," she says, her voice breathless. "It's the most generous thing anyone's ever given me."

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," Lex says. "Now, you said no party, which I can totally respect, but we do birthday breakfasts around here."

"Which means chocolate chip pancakes, even though Lex has a rule against candy for breakfast. And we now have two more birthdays to add to the calendar to eat them every year," Colt says with a wink and taps the top of the car. "Come on inside for breakfast, and then you're free to head out and do whatever kids your age do for fun now."

Swallowing, she nods and climbs out. "Thank you."

Lex just winks at her as they walk inside, and Hailey can't figure out the feeling bubbling in her chest. Whatever it is, it's uncomfortable, and she doesn't much care for it.

Chapter Eighteen

Griffin's Beach

Felicity

Felicityswingstheclubhousedoor open with a level of rage that seems to keep topping itself. As she tried to busy herself alone in the house for the past week, she started to go stir crazy. While cleaning up, she found a box of condoms in Gavin's room. Hidden under the bed. And now as he stands at the bar with a brunette she doesn't recognize, his hand in her back pocket, it only adds fuel to the fire.

"Gavin Diesel Short!"

He whips around and gapes. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Stomping over to him, she grabs the girl's arm and gets in her face. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Let me go, you crazy woman," she says.

"Mom, let her go," Gavin says, pulling her away. "That's Hailey—"

"Is she the one you have the box of condoms for?" she interrupts. "You better make sure to wrap your shit if the fact your sister being pregnant at sixteen hasn't scared you away from jumping on the first whore you find."

Hailey's jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

"Where the fuck did she come from?"

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