Falling Apart, Together✓

Chapter Six

I thought a lot about what Dad said over the next few weeks. Once upon a time Ransom did make me happy, but now every time I thought about him, I cried.

I threw myself into my dad's care, taking over for mom in driving him to his appointments so she can have a break. I loved our car rides. We talked about anything, my work being a major topic as I got to travel so much. In these moments, you couldn't even tell he was sick. It's something that I admire about him. He's always had this drive. He was a force, demanding nature to bend to his will. He approached this fight with that same fire, determined to fight for as long as he could.

We were at the pharmacy after one of his doctor's appointments. I was inside, waiting for his prescription to be filled. Dad was waiting in the car and I was getting antsy.

"Reynolds." The pharmacy technician called out. I walked up to the window, ready to get home.

"Bentley?" He asked.

"Yeah?" I ask, not recognizing him.

"It's Jonathan."

"Oh right! You were on the lacrosse team with Archer and Ransom."

"Yeah. I didn't know you were back."

"I've only been back a couple of weeks. I've been helping my mom with dad."

"It was a shock when it got around that the unbreakable Baker Reynolds got diagnosed with cancer." Are you freaking kidding me? It's bad enough to gossip about it, but to word it so callously to his only daughter, what the hell.

"I bet." Is what I said instead. I grab dad's prescription, quickly signing my name and walk out. I'm at the car, door open and handing my dad his pills and my bag so he can put it at his feet, when I hear Jonathan run up to me.

"I'm sorry. That was horrible. Let me make it up to you. Let me buy you a drink tonight." I look over at my dad who was doing his best to appear like he was not listening closely to the entire conversation.

"I'm good. But thanks anyway." I say, trying to get him to leave.

"She'd love to," my dad says over me. "She'll meet you at Joe's tonight at 6."

"Perfect! See you then." He says before going back inside. I got in the car, starting it up before turning to my dad.

"What the hell was that?"

"That was payback."

"Payback for who?"

"I forgot how long you've been gone. Jonathan is Laurel's ex husband. What better way to piss her off and make Ransom jealous than with Jonathan?"

"I'm not going to use him like that."

"Then be honest. Everyone in town knew why he filed for divorce. He'll be behind this plan, I'm sure."

I smile at him. "And here I thought I got my vindictive pettiness from mom."

"Oh please. Your mom wishes she was me." We both laugh at that.

"Ok dad. But why Joe's?"

"Archer and Ransom meet up there every Thursday night for drinks."

"You're devious. I wish we had hung out like this while I was in high school. I could've used that brain to get back at the cheerleading squad."

"No. You were underage. We couldn't have too much fun. You would've gotten taken away for sure."

"Dad!" I say with a laugh.

😈😈😈

I made sure my make up was done perfectly and I was dressed cute but casual before I left the house that evening.