“With coffee, I suppose I will.”
She paused for a minute and I crossed the grassy area that split the campus. People were already lounging on blankets, studying or just hanging out. I eyed one couple kissing openly, feeling jealous of their freedom.
“Honey, I wanted to let you know your father and I have been…seeing each other again.”
I froze in the middle of the sidewalk. “What?”
“I know this is a surprise. I’m surprised, but things are going really well.”
“Mom.”
“I know, I know. I thought all of that was part of my past too. It’s just…I think he’s changed this time. It’s just a feeling I have. I think he learned a lot while he was gone.”
“Mom, your gut instincts are notoriously wrong.” I wanted to remind her of how she handled the bullying situation last winter but didn’t. It was still a tense subject.
“Heaven, I’ve made some bad decisions in the past where your dad was concerned, but I think he’s really trying to clean up this time. Go legit. Pastor Billips at Oceanside is really taking him under his wing.”
“Billips is a sexist pig, mom. That place is oppressive and just…I don’t like it, okay?”
“We’re taking it slow, Heaven, but it’s something I feel called to explore.”
Called. The word sent chills down my spine.
My heart thundered while she spoke and I scanned the area, trying to find something to focus on. A mop of blonde hair caught my eye and I held it in my sights as it moved toward me. “Be careful, Mom. He’s hurt you before.”
“I know. He has a lot to prove; like keeping a job and paying for your school. I need him to understand I’m not quitting my job and becoming a housewife again. It’s not like I’m moving in right away.”
“Moving in?” I asked. “Right away?”
“He bought the old Jameson place by the river. We’re going to fix it up together, see how it goes. Then maybe I’ll think about moving back in with him.”
“Mom,” I whispered as Jackson got clos
er, “do you even know where the money is coming from? For my school and this house? His salary can’t be that great.”
“I know he received a stipend while he was gone and he saved a lot of it. He was able to build a nest egg.”
A nest egg? While we were barely scraping by?
That hit me like a ton of bricks. He had money while we were gone but never gave any to us? Even when Mom was working double shifts to pay the bills? I knew I needed to hang up before I said something I’d regret. “Hey, Mom, look, I’m about to walk into the library. I should probably go.”
“Sure, honey. I just wanted to keep you in the loop.” There was a muffled sound behind her. That was when I knew she wasn’t alone. My dad had been there the whole time. “Your father wants you to know he’ll be in the city on Wednesday night. He’ll pick you up for dinner at seven.”
“What? Mom, I’m not sure I’m available then!”
“I’m sure you’ll work it out.” She rushed out a goodbye and I was left holding the phone. Jackson stood before me with a curious look on his face.
“Everything okay?”
I stashed my phone. “Just my mom. She said my dad is coming up on Wednesday night for dinner.”
“We’ll make sure we’re out of the way so he doesn’t see us.”
I hated it. I hated the lies and hiding. I felt like nothing in my life for the last year had been anything but one charade after the other. I’d finally discovered my personality—my style. I enjoyed dressing sexy. I liked flirting with my boyfriends. With my dad around, none of that was an option. He’d never approve.
Jackson watched me with his soulful, beautiful, blue eyes and I forced a smile. “Thank you. Hopefully he’ll be gone early.”
He linked our hands and directed us toward Anderson’s three-story, brick dormitory. It was small and reserved for students with elite status in academics or sports that needed a quiet space to live. It was Saturday, though, and the rules were more relaxed.