Holding On To Heaven (Allendale Four 2)

He stared at that note long and hard. I thought he was finished but he scratched out his own note in perfect script.

Meet me after class then? Maybe get a little of this out of our system?

God I wanted that. So bad.

My dad is coming to town. Taking me to dinner.

He sighed, and I folded the note, tucking it into my hoodie pocket.

“Who knew college would be so busy I’d never have time to hang out with my guys,” I said hours later. Amber came down with me to wait on the front steps of our dorm for my dad to pick me up.

“Maybe you can meet up after dinner?”

“You know Anderson goes to bed early—his swim time is around 6 a.m.” I had to admit that wasn’t the only reason. “I’m also keeping away from the guys while my dad is in town. I don’t want him anywhere near them.”

She nodded and said, “I think Ginger and I are going out on Friday night.”

Ginger was the girl from the party. “Is this like a date or just a friend thing?”

“I’m not sure. I mean, I’ve never limited myself sexually, but you know Allendale wasn’t the biggest pool of options.”

“You do you, Amber, that’s what college is about. Where are you going?”

“She’s an art major and wants to take me to this little gallery downtown for a show.”

“I love it. When do I get to meet her?”

She smiled shyly. I’d never seen Amber like this. Normally she was bold and brash—but this thing with Ginger was new. I got it. “Let’s give it a little longer, okay?”

“Definitely.”

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb and the window rolled down. My dad leaned over the passenger seat and smiled.

“See you later,” I said. She gave me a sympathetic smile.

“Hi Dad,” I said, walking to the car. I opened the door and sat in the front. He leaned over and kissed my cheek.

“How are you? How’s the first week of classes?”

“Busy,” I said. “All the information is a little overwhelming.”

He drove the car off campus and into town. There were dozens of restaurants in the area and I shouldn’t be surprised he picked the fanciest one. He pulled into the parking area and the valet opened my door.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling awkward. I wanted to know where my dad got the money to pay for things like this. If he even had it—but there was no way I was going to ask.

He walked around the car and I tried not to flinch when he placed his hand on my shoulder, directing me to the door. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you. We have a lot to catch up on—everything you’ve been doing. My new job. It’s an exciting time for our family.”

We did have a lot to catch up on, but there was no doubt we both were keeping our own secrets. My father didn’t want to know the truth about my life and I had a feeling he didn’t want to tell me the truth about his. I followed him across the hardwood floors and into the quaint bistro with the distinct feeling that by the time the night was over, I’d have more questions than answers.

I spent the evening fielding questions about college, roommates and classes, and my thoughts on professors. My father gave away enough to let me know he was fully aware of my schedule and had taken the time to check up on my professors.

“Have you picked a church to attend yet?”

The question stumped me. Other than the week before I left for school hadn’t gone to church since he’d left us—mostly because my mother and I couldn’t handle the judgmental glares.

“No, not yet.” I picked at my dessert.

“I notice you don’t wear the cross I sent to you for your birthday.”