I'm beaming when I get home. You know that feeling of invincibility? Like you're unstoppable? Like no matter what life throws at you, you can take it head-on because you feel unbeatable? That's me right now. I'm floating on a cloud. Reality feels like fantasy; almost like what's happening around me is too good to be true.
Kissing Brooks was majestic. I've never had a kiss like that.
I'm in the kitchen sipping on a glass of cold water when I look through the sink window to see dad sitting in the backyard. He's scrolling through his laptop with one hand while the other runs through his hair.
I uncover the cake stand that's situated on the kitchen island and cut a slice of the banana bread that mom baked the other day.
"Thought you could use a mid-day pick me up," I tell my dad as I step outside, and he turns around.
"Thank you, sweetheart," he says with a smile, taking the plate from my grip.
I make myself comfortable on the seat next to him and look on. "Watch'ya doing?" I ask.
"Just some job searching."
"Any luck?"
"We'll see. I sent out 3 applications in the last hour."
"That's great, dad," I say, and he gives me another smile before closing the laptop shut.
"Yeah, but it can wait. I rather spend time with my daughter. How are you doing, sweetie?"
"Good," I state.
"Work good?"
"Work's good."
"The guests at Meadows not giving you a hard time?" he asks as he slices into a piece of the banana bread.
"Nothing I can't handle."
"Of course not," he says, looking at me endearingly. "What do you want to do for dinner tonight? It's just going to be the two of us."
"What? Where's mom?"
Dad slows his chewing, then pushes his plate away before leaning his body back and clearing his throat. "She, uh, took a double shift tonight."
"What? Didn't she get to the hospital at like 7 this morning?"
"Yeah," he says, and I can tell that he's trying to make his tone casual.
"You know, dad, if you need me to take on more work, I can." I say, planting my elbows on my knees and inching my head forward. "I can speak with my boss Jill and see if th-"
"That's not necessary, sweetheart," he says with a chuckle to make light of the situation, but I cover his hand with mine.
"Dad...if you need me to, I will."
He gives me half a smile. "I know, sweetheart. Thank you. But I don't need you to. In fact, in a couple weeks from now, your mother won't be needing to take on the extra shifts, either, because I'll be back at work. I'm confident that my last interview went well, so we won't have to worry anymore."
I lend my dad a hesitant smile and then spend a few more minutes outside with him before heading back in.
I walk into the kitchen and dump the remnants of banana bread into the garbage when I spot a shredded piece of paper laying there with the words "Late Payment – Second Notice" written on it.
I pull it out; the logo telling me that it's from our electric company.
I reach for a second piece that has more words on it. It reads:
Dear Mr. Jack Baker,
We have not received payment yet for your last utility bill, which is now past due. A late payment charge of..."
The rest is cut off, but I don't need to scramble for the remaining pieces because I've read more than enough to understand what's going on here.
And what's going on is worse than I thought.
YOU ARE READING
Under the Stars (Sequel to Across the Pond)
Romance*The sequel to Across the Pond* Brooks Caldwell is the bane of my existence. Has been ever since I've known him. And, of course, luck would have it that I'm forced to spend my entire summer in his presence when I'm offered a job at the posh country...
