Page 37 of The Only Road Back
She turns and loops her arms around my neck. “As long as you’re in my corner, I think I’ll be okay.”
I brush my lips against hers. “You will be. Now, let’s get out of here.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
BETH
The drive back to my hometown feels longer than it should, each passing mile dragging me deeper into a past I’ve spent years trying to outrun.
Jack’s hand rests on my thigh, his thumb tracing slow, reassuring circles. He hasn’t said much since we left, but his quiet presence speaks volumes.
Beside me, a small gift bag shifts with every bump in the road. Inside it is a soft gray bunny with floppy ears. I don’t know why I bought it. Maybe because showing up empty-handed felt worse. Or maybe because the baby didn’t ask for this mess.
Jack glances over, his green eyes calm but alert. “You sure about this?”
I tighten my grip on the ribbon handle. “Not one bit.”
He grins. “We can still turn around. Grab pie at Carol’s instead.”
My heart lurches at the offer. For a second, I imagine it—just the two of us, nowhere near this town or its ghosts. But that’s not why I came.
“I need to do this.”
Jack nods. “Then we do it together.”
The truck eases into my aunt’s driveway. Lori stands on the porch, arms folded, lips curved in a bemused smirk.
“You actually showed.”
I step out, smoothing the soft blue wrap dress I picked with care, not flashy, not casual. Just enough to say: I’m doing fine.
I lift my chin. “Of course.”
Her gaze sweeps over me, eyebrows arching. “Damn, girl. You look hot. You’ve got a glow.”
Jack joins me, slipping a hand to the small of my back. Lori’s eyes flick to him.
“Okay, now I get it.”
Jack lifts a brow. “Get what?”
She grins at me. “Why she looks like she won the breakup.”
Jack chuckles.
I roll my eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Inside, a hush falls, brief but unmistakable. Conversations stumble. Eyes turn. My presence isn’t unnoticed. It’s nuclear.
My mother moves toward us, polished and poised as ever. Pearls at her throat. That curated smile.
“Beth. We weren’t expecting you.”
“Neither was I.”
Her eyes land on Jack. Her smile tightens. “And you must be Jack.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrison,” he says, tone cool, posture firm.
