Page 87 of No Way Home
“Here, here,” Holden said.
Ashton leveled me with a look. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not right. Or it’s not worth fighting for.”
“And because we know there’s a lot of pressure on you all in the younger generation,” Ford said.
Blue spoke next. “Y’all have to constantly be thinking about what your actions might look like to the public. And we’re here to tell you, it’s okay if you don’t do everything perfectly. I certainly haven’t.”
Dad sighed. “And because we’re all worried about you. Instead of living your life, you’re hiding. Afraid you’ll mess up again. Afraid to show your face in public or date or do any of the things we know you want to do.”
“I’m not hiding,” I said.
“You skipped my last concert, even though the rest of the family came,” Ford said.
Fine, I was hiding. And I had been since I was a junior in high school.
“But mostly,” Gramps said. “We’re telling you because if it’s the right love, the sacrifice is worth it.”
It took me a beat to realize what they were actually saying. They were giving me permission to pursue Magnolia. The realization sparked warm and wild in my chest. I pushed back in the rolling chair, scanning each of their faces. From Holden to Ash to Ford to Blue, ending on Gramps—they all seemed in agreement.
I’d been telling myselfnofor so long that the sudden shift made the room tilt sideways. I gripped the armrests for support. “Let me get this straight. You all think I should go for it with Magnolia, even if I lose Griff for good?” They saidnothing, giving me a minute to get used to the idea. “Wewould…lose him for good. You know that, right?”
“Not necessarily,” Gramps said. “Give him a little credit.”
Ford lifted one shoulder. “We’re hoping he’ll come around.”
“You and Maggie.” A smile quirked at the edge of Ashton’s lips. “You have insane chemistry. We’ve all felt it.”
“T-today?” I sputtered, heat rushing to my face. I hadn’t even spoken to her.
“Yes.” Holden nodded. “Just the way you’re constantly giving each other sideways glances when you think no one’s looking.”
“Thewantin both of your eyes…” Blue flicked his hand like he’d been burned.
“But before, too,” Holden said. “Your chemistry was intense, even back then. We saw that train wreck coming long before it happened.”
My mouth fell open. “You did?”
Dad shoved both hands in his hair. “I didn’t.”
“You must’ve been blind then,” Ashton said.
“Or you didn’t want to see,” Blue said. “But it was clear as day to the rest of us.”
Which only proved I really was a terrible actor.
Ford aimed himself at me, lips puffed in annoyance. I knew that look. He was about to channel his sassy, strong-willed wife and cut through the crap. “You’re holding back for a brother that treats you like?—”
“Ford,” Holden snapped. He tipped his head toward my dad, who was currently pacing the floor, about to tear his hair out.
“I can’t be here for this part.” Dad held his hands up as if abdicating himself from the discussion. He walked to the door—but then he paused and turned back to me. “For what it’s worth, they’re not wrong.” His voice was thick with guilt, like he was a traitor to even admit that much. “The way you lookat Maggie, and the way she looks at you? It reminds me of your mom and me.” He reached for the door handle.
“Does Mom think I belong with Magnolia?” I blurted.
He paused, shoulders rising and falling like he didn’t want to answer. “I think you already know the answer to that.”
I thought I did too. Mom would never verbally encourage me to do something that would push Griff away, but if she thought Magnolia would make me happy, she wouldn’t encourage me to hold back either.
He escaped into the hall.
