Page 78 of By the Book

We rush back inside, and he throws a black hoodie on with his jeans while I pull on my leggings from yesterday and button up the flannel. Based on how long it takes us to get to the door, it’s clear that we weren’t decent, but my parents take it in stride as Tripp welcomes them in. Immediately, they pull me into a hug at the same time, and I end up smashed between Howard and Ruth like a small child.

“I’m okay,” I reassure them. “I’m okay.”

“That was the most terrifying call,” my mom weeps. “And Chuck? I don’t understand.”

“None of us do,” Tripp says quietly from the kitchen, getting out two more coffee mugs.

With a kiss to the top of my head, my mom releases me and drifts across the room to him. She holds him in a hug the same way she would me or Wes. “I’m so sorry, Tripp. I know how you trusted him.”

“We all did, it’s no wonder it took time for you to catch him. This wasn’t just some case of vandalism,” my father says, movingto shake his hand. “And I want to thank you. While it came as a bit of a shock to learn about the two of you, it can’t be denied that you’ve proven your devotion to my daughter. You’ve been there for her better than anyone.”

“She’ll always come first,” Tripp assures him, their hands clasped together.

I look over to my mom and ask, “Wes?”

“We haven’t spoken to him either. Not since we shared some news of our own with him.”

She pours coffee for herself and Dad, then the four of us move to the back patio and sit. Tripp reaches over and takes my hand in his, above the table this time. I smile up at him, my chest bursting with joy that we can be open about things now.

“News of your own?” he asks, looking between my parents.

“As you know, I’ve been hiding my health issues from him,” my father admits. “I didn’t want him to worry while he was away. But it’s just made things worse, keeping it a secret for this long.”

“I’m guessing it didn’t go well,” I say, taking a sip of coffee.

“I think he considered giving me a face to match Tripp’s,” my father chuckles.

“Dad!”

Tripp’s laugh booms over my shriek, and he lifts our linked hands to brush a kiss across my knuckles.

“I’m not ready to joke about that,” I mutter, a smile sneaking up my face, nonetheless. How could I not smile when his lips feel so delicate on my skin?

My parents stay a while longer, chatting like we haven’t spoken for years. And we don’t mention the missing member of the family again. They’re rising to leave when the doorbell sounds and we all exchange a look. My brother’s name dances in my mind as Tripp moves through the house. He would have to know this is where we all are, right?

But when he opens the door, it’s not my brother. It’s three fierce, loving women that come bounding through it. They surround me in a group hug, similar to the way my parents did, letting go only long enough for Mom and Dad to say goodbye.

“Are you okay?”

“What happened?”

“I can’t believe it!”

“Yeah, they’re saying it was Chuck!”

“You were just with us! When did he take you hostage?”

They fire off questions in rapid succession, stopping only when Tripp pulls me from their huddle. He takes my face in his hands and smiles down at me. “I’m going to leave you with your friends. I’ll be back shortly.”

“How shortly? Where are you going?”

“Just have to run a quick errand. You won’t even know I’m gone while you catch up.” Then with a kiss, he leaves us alone at his house like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Chapter 31

Tripp

I’m about to stir up a hornet’s nest. But I don’t care anymore. I turn down the long, winding drive of Cliff House, spotting my best friend’s car right where I thought it would be. Parking, I stroll up to the front door and let myself into the grand foyer.

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