Page 66 of Skye's Fall
“I get it.” Thanks, Dad.
“Time to get your shit together,” my dad says.
“I think it’s time. Wait, how are you paying for this?”
“Insurance and savings.”
“But you are probably almost tapped out.”
“When that happens, I’ll figure out what I need to do.”
“It’s going to take me some time to forgive you, but let me help you. Only if your goal is to get sober.”
“Believe me, with her out of my life, that is my only goal. I want to be able to be in your life.”
“Then let me help.” I think I need my dad in my life, even if it’s years later. I want that relationship.
“Alright,” he gives in after taking a few moments.
“But I want to move you closer to home.”
“To Atlanta?”
“Yeah. I looked up this facility and I know they have one in Atlanta. That way I can come visit more.”
“We should talk to the doctor first, and go from there.”
“Let’s go make that appointment with him,” I say and we head for reception.
One part of the mystery is solved, but how does Mallory fit in? That’s for another day. I just can’t believe how screwed up Angie was. I’m kind of relieved to know she’s not my real mother. And for now, both of those girls are gone. I have no doubt once Skye and I work out our shit, nothing will tear us apart. I just have to be honest with her about everything and give her my heart.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Skye
He’s been gone a couple of weeks. Ever said he called and should be coming back today, but I don’t know. I wanted to call him, just to say “hi” but couldn’t work up the nerve. He probably would hang up on me anyway.
“Two beers,” one of the regulars asks and I nod, filling two glasses and handing them to him. I’ve been working non-stop to save money, not that I really need it. I still have enough money to live off of, even after buying back Linc’s ranch. Everyone has kept that secret and I’m glad for that. I don’t want him to feel obligated to me. I want him to love me for me, not what I did for him.
I keep thinking back to when I first thought I loved Lincoln, probably around junior high. He was a senior in high school. Not a big age gap like Ever and Memphis. I loved him. He was sweet and kind and looked at me like I hung the moon. He didn’t treat me like a little kid, always looked out for me and others. The first time we met was when I was crying under the stadium bleachers. I had been bullied and needed to run somewhere. Ever since that day, we were thick as thieves. He was strong when I was weak and I was soft to his hard. And the fact he always looked out for those he cared about was the reason I was always drawn to him. But I changed when I got to high school, though I don’t know why. Oh wait! I do. I wanted to be noticed for something other than being smart. The only way to do that was to become a bitch. I started bullying the younger kids, got in some fights, and soon I ruled the school. I was queen bee on top of the food chain. People wanted to be me or be liked by me. I set the standards, the rules, the fashion trends. I know now that I had followers, not friends. And then Memphis noticed me and Linc was history. I strung him along until Memphis asked me to marry him. I was a bitch.
I had dreams and I thought Memphis could fill them. I was stupid and young. I felt by leaving, I would find myself, I would find what I was searching for. Little did I know, what I was searching for was right here in Hickory Falls.
I wipe another table until the door opens and I see Ever.
“He’s home,” Ever slides onto a stool along with Alexa, Mckenna, and Ariel.
“He is?” Now I’m nervous as hell. Does he still hate me? Does he love me? Will he talk to me?
“What’s the plan, chief?” Ariel asks. And now I don’t know.
“Ah . . .” I’m at such a loss. I don’t know if I want to do anything for fear of rejection. I don’t think I can take it.
“Here’s what we start with— paint the big water tower,” Ever grins.
“What?” Where is she going with this? The tower means something to me and Linc, if he even remembers.
“We can have the guys paint the water tower with ‘I love Lincoln Styles’.”
