Page 80 of Feels Like Falling
ARCHER: Just tryin’ to help
BODHI: Grandad just took the ATV outta the barn—I’ll keep you posted
MASON: You just want out of this message
BODHI: I have no idea what you’re talking about
Sighing,I put my phone down again and scrub my hands over my face. Bodhi will make sure Grandad is safe, and even though no one said it, I know they’ll make sure Ellison is too.
Because right now it can’t be me, and somehow that hurts most of all.
36
ELLISON
Istab the small trowel into the bag of potting soil again and growl only a little when I get more on the patio than the pot. This was supposed to be relaxing, but so far, I think the only thing happening is that my blood pressure keeps going up.
It’s nearly eight at night, but the sun is still up and I needed the distraction. I hadn’t stayed long after Montana had left me with my father. It was a miracle I was able to drive the truck home with the tears streaming down my face.
Dad hadn’t had a lot to add and what he did I hadn’t wanted to hear—he owed Montana those words anyway. Part of me understood, could grieve with him on the years lost and the things he wished he could change. But my father’s deception was something I didn’t know if we’d ever recover from. The dominoes had been set, one right after the other, quietly added to for years. They’d sat precariously for so long it was like they’d been forgotten.
But the events today had sent them tumbling, the catalyst a woman with my eyes and tear-stained cheeks who I already loved with my whole heart.
My phone dings and I look at the screen, wiping my soil-covered hands on my shorts before picking it up.
BLAKE: Your mother is on a rampage more than normal—just wanted to give you the heads up
BLAKE: Also, did you come back to Savannah for something and not tell me? I could have sworn I saw someone who looked just like you the other day.
I snortbecause no doubt Arden had landed on my mother’s doorstep looking for answers. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that—my own need to confront the woman who had given me life sparking anger in my belly.
ELLISON: She’s my sister
ELLISON: Well, technically half sister
BLAKE: Your WHAT?!
ELLISON: It’s a long story
BLAKE: That I need immediately
ELLISON: Soon. I have to fix things with Montana first.
BLAKE: I thought you were trying to get away from the drama not add to it
ELLISON: You’re hilarious
BLAKE: I know that’s one of the things you love about me
ELLISON: Debatable
BLAKE: I feel like I need to see this for myself
ELLISON: You’re always welcome here
BLAKE: Think Montana would agree?
ELLISON: He’ll like you once he meets you
