Page 51 of Wrecked
His face started to turn red, "How can you love a man who you haven't seen in over a decade? You're throwing away everything you've worked for. For what?"
Shaking my head, I pushed my sadness away. "Why can't you just be happy for me?"
Rushing to his feet, my father seethed, "Be happy for you? You're throwing everything we've ever done for you back in our faces."
"You're so oblivious," I said softly. "I never wanted the fancy schools or expensive gifts. The only thing I ever wanted, the only thing I still want, is for you to be proud of whoIam. Not the person you want me to be." I sucked in a breath and padded to my father.
Tentatively I placed my hand on his arm and pleaded, "It doesn't matter how much we fight or for how long, I'll always love you and mom. I just really need you to tell me it's okay for me to chase my own dreams for a change."
My father's eyes met mine; they reminded me so much of my own. "I can't tell you that." In a matter of seconds, the ground got ripped from beneath me. My stomach rolled, and my heart hurt as my dad pulled his arm away from me.
"If you leave here today and go after that man, you can consider yourself without parents."
I gasped, and my mother's hands flew to her mouth. Still, she didn't utter a word. I wanted to stomp over and shake her because Diana Michaels always had something to say. "But—" my father went on as if he didn't just turn my world on its axis. "—if you stay and admit the error of your ways, I'm sure I can smooth things over with Dean and his parents."
Tears spilled from my eyes, and I made no attempt to wipe them away. I looked at my mom, hoping to silently plead with her not to let my father take these drastic measures, but the moment our gazes locked she looked away.
Realizing that nothing I could ever say would change their minds, I took a step backward. I pulled a piece of paper from my back pocket and placed it on the table. "The address on top is for the guesthouse I stayed at in Willow Creek," my voice wobbled, and I had to clear my throat before I could speak again. "The one at the bottom is Brett's. If you change your mind, I should be at either of those places." I sucked in a breath and lifted my chin. "I'm really hoping it's the bottom one, though."
I spun on my heels and started for the door only to be halted by my mother's, "Kenzie!" Slowly, I turned to face her; tears were streaming down her face. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my father approaching her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and then turned his scowl to me, "Let her go, Diana."
Determined to walk out of my parents' home with my head held high, I resisted the urge to run as fast as my feet would carry me. By the time I drove past the city limits, I knew without a doubt that I wasn't making a mistake.
Chapter 29
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and opened thenotesapplication. After a quick glance at the number on the building, I rechecked my phone . I was in the right place alright. Well, at least I was at the address I'd gotten from Kenzie's job card. I could have easily called her to make sure, but I needed the element of surprise on my side. I was afraid that if I gave her too much of a heads-up, she'd find an excuse not to see me. After my behavior, I deserved nothing less.
Yanking on the rearview mirror, I adjusted it so I could see my reflection before I dragged my fingers through my hair. I smoothed my palm over the strands a few times before doing the same to my beard. I wasn't sure if I was trying to look my best or if I was just stalling.
Maybe it was both.
With my heart pounding against my ribs, I unfolded myself from my truck and walked toward the impressive building. I couldn't tell you how many floors it had, I just knew that Kenzie's apartment was supposedly on the fifth floor—that wasallI needed to know about the place.
As soon as I entered, I wondered if I was walking into an apartment complex or a five-star hotel. I was confident I looked more than a little out of place in my faded jeans and a blue flannel shirt.
Not even giving the elevators a glance, I headed straight for the stairs, taking them two at a time. The long hallway that greeted me after the fourth flight of stairs seemed endless. I sucked in a few steadying breaths and willed myself to calm the hell down. Being as nervous as I was wasn't normal for me, but that was only a testament to how important this day was.
Nothing but determination pushed me forward. I scanned each door as I passed it until I found the one I was looking for. My past, my present, and, hopefully, my future was behind that door.
Lifting my hand, I tapped my knuckles against the wood twice. I drew in a breath and held it when I heard shuffling inside. It felt like forever before the door swung open, when it did, though, a deep frown pulled my brows together.
"Zoe?" I didn't know how she did it, but Zoe Carlisle hadn't aged a bit since our college days. She flicked her blonde locks and propped her shoulder against the doorjamb. After giving me an assessing once over, she crossed her arms.
"Well, well, well," she chirped. "If it isn't Brett Carter in the flesh."
From the doorway, I scanned as much of the apartment as I could. What I saw had my heart dropping to my feet. Boxes. Not just any boxes, those were the kind of boxes you used when you were moving. "I…uh…" As I tried to speak past the cotton wool in my throat, I hoped that I had the wrong address. "I'm looking for Kenzie, she here?"
Zoe narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "About damn time, buuuut—" she singsonged. "—you're too late, my friend."
In frustration, I raked my fingers through my hair and turned to face the door on the opposite side. I blew out a breath and faced Zoe again. "Where can I find her?"
Her shoulders rose and fell, "I can't be sure; she mentioned something about going to see the man of her dreams and begging him to let her have his babies."
Like hell she is. The only man whose babies she's gonna have is mine.Maybe those kinds of thoughts made me sound like a Neanderthal, but I didn't care. Just the mere thought of another man touching her, had me clenching my fist and gritting my teeth.
Zoe's soft laugh reached my ears before her, "Whoa there, don't go turning green on me." She pushed off the frame and patted my chest in a way that said'there, there.'"I really can't tell you where she is. Not because I don't know but I promised her I wouldn't. However—" she held up her finger. "—between you and me, she wouldn't go anywhere without saying goodbye to her parents."
Mr. and Mrs. Michaels. Speaking with them had been on my agenda too, I'd just hoped that I would get to talk to Kenzie first. With a quick, "thanks", I retraced my steps back to the truck. After typing the address in my maps application, I turned the key, and the truck rumbled to life.
