I close my eyes in utter helplessness as his words rush through me and his lips crush mine.
Chapter 10
"Mom says you have a boyfriend." My father taps me on the forehead. "Are you and Will back on?"
I grimace at the mention of my ex. He couldn't hold a candle to Hunter. "No. It's someone new."
He tosses me a quizzed look. "What's his name?"
"Hunter," I reply. "He's older."
"How much older?" I watch as he stands straight up and his hands jump to his hips.
"Not much. Twenty-six."
"Does he have a job?" My father furrows his brow before sitting back down. "What are his intentions?"
I laugh at the questions. "He does have a job and his intentions are good." I bite my lip at the last part of my response. I think his intentions are good. I need to trust him. If I don't I'm going to drive myself crazy.
"When do I get to meet this fellow of yours?" He takes a long sip of the coffee sitting in front of him. I waited as long as I could last night to greet him when he got home from the airport, but I was too wiped. Getting up early to have breakfast with him is the next best thing.
"This week?" I suggest with slight trepidation. I haven't discussed my father with Hunter. Maybe I shouldn't be rushing us into something when I'm not even sure where we stand.
"Make a reservation at a nice restaurant and invite him along." My father doesn't glance up from the newspaper.
"Any preference?" I ask knowing he's very choosy about where he'll spend his money. I've been privy to enough of his inconsiderate ramblings at wait staff in restaurants.
"Anywhere you like is fine with me." He pats my hand before his gaze drops back to the business section.
"Daddy, I need to ask something?" I instantly feel a huge pit form in my stomach. This is one subject both of my parents aren't fond of. I need to know though. Any small bit of information will help.
"Sure." He finally places the newspaper down. "What's up?"
I study his face before I respond. He's so handsome. The grey on his temples only accentuating his strong features. My father has weathered so many storms with my brother and me. I hate to do this to him but I can't keep wondering what he knows.
"It's about my heart donor," I whisper the words without my voice cracking. "Mom said you overheard some nurses talking that night."
"Sadie." He spits my name out quickly before he takes in a sharp breath. "That was so long ago. It's a part of your past now."
"It's always a part of me." I pat my hand against my chest. "I just want to know about her."
"Your mother told you it was a young woman?" he asks with surprise.
"She said that you heard she'd been in a bad car accident?" The question sounds genuine even though I already know the answer. Maybe I just need confirmation from my dad.
"It was tragic." His voice tightens. "She wasn't buckled in and the boy who was driving was reckless. They hit a truck. I remember hearing she flew onto the road."
I wince at the words. It's the same story Hunter told me only this time the words are edged with displeasure and disgust.
"Her brain died and her parents decided to donate her organs."
"So other people got her organs too?" I feel my heart beating harder at the realization that others may have parts of Coral too.
"I think so." He studies my face carefully. "I don't know the specifics. All I know and care about is that her heart saved my little girl."
"Did anyone tell you her name?" I don't want to know that. Why am I asking?
"Nope." My father shakes his head before picking opening the newspaper. "All I know is that the accident happened somewhere on Long Island and she was airlifted to the hospital."