Chapter 13

13

Holly

" I don't want to do this," I told Jenson, my leg bouncing as he drove his truck out of the neighborhood, his hand resting on my bare thigh. He told me to dress nicely, that we were going to dinner at a more expensive restaurant tonight. So, I'd put on a simple black dress that had come in the mail earlier today from all the clothes Jenson had me order, and I'd taken the time to curl my hair and do my makeup.

But as soon as I got in the truck and the doors were locked—which meant I couldn't easily escape—he broke the news that my parents would be joining us. I really wished I hadn't dressed up at all. In fact, I'd rather be at home where I was safe and my father's harsh words and my mother's forced indifference couldn't touch me.

"Doll, I won't let them say anything to you," he promised me. I had to bite back a scoff. "I'll go to war for you. Over you. You know that." I drew in a deep breath because I did. He had proven numerous times that he would take care of me in whatever way he needed to. "But I can't stand to see you so damn miserable, doll."

"I thought you said it was their loss," I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear. My stress.

He grabbed my hand, linking our fingers together. He gave my fingers a gentle squeeze. "It is their loss, Holly. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to try to save you from the hurt."

I turned my head to look at him. Why was he so damn good to me? What in the hell had I done to even deserve it? Nothing, that I could recall. In fact, I'd gutted him mere months ago when I chose my family and my future over him.

"I can't ever repay you for everything you're doing for me."

He glanced at me for a moment as he stopped at the stop sign for our road, which intercepted the main highway. "Doll, your love is payment enough." He raised my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "Just love me. That's all I need."

I could barely force food into my mouth, but I was trying because I knew Jenson didn't like me skipping meals. Everything just tasted bland, and my stomach was threatening to revolt. Swallowing was difficult and took way more effort than it should.

Jenson had his arm draped over the back of my chair, his fingers gently tracing up and down my upper arm, doing his best to soothe me. My parents were quiet, eating like nothing was amiss. Jenson seemed to be the only one that could pick up on how much of a nervous wreck I was.

"I'm sorry," I finally blurted, my fork clattering loudly to my plate. Some of the patrons at other tables near ours looked over before Jenson quickly shot them dark looks that made them turn back to their meals. Tears burned in my eyes, and I quickly dabbed at them, not wanting to ruin my makeup and look like a raccoon on top of the hot mess I already knew I was. "I'm sorry for hurting you, but I'm not sorry for falling in love with Jenson, nor for how happy he makes me."

"Good girl," Jenson murmured, leaning over to press a kiss to my jaw. My anxiety melted just a tiny bit at his praise. No matter what happened, I still had him standing in my corner. That helped. That meant something.

My dad sighed heavily, setting his fork down as well, though he did it much quieter than I had. "Do you know the things your mother has had to hear while she's out at her book club and her yoga class?" Dad asked me.

"If you intend on trying to guilt trip her for her feelings for me, I suggest you nip that shit right in the bud," Jenson warned him. He shifted in his seat, sitting taller, reminding my dad who was in charge. I swallowed thickly, chancing a glance at my mother, but she was studiously focused on her food.

Dad clenched his jaw for a moment before forcing it to relax. Looking away from Jenson, he focused his gaze back on me. "Holly, why did you hide it?"

"Because I knew this would happen," I whispered, staring at my lap. I couldn't meet his eyes. I had known, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was how it was going to turn out. I wished he had proven me wrong. That Jenson and I could have fought instead about how wrong I'd been because I at least knew Jenson wouldn't turn his back on me. But instead, all Dad had done was prove me right.

Silence rang out before Mom asked, "Then why do it, Holly? Why risk it?"

I tilted my chin up this time, refusing to let anyone make me feel bad about my choice to be with Jenson. He had proven time and time again that he would stand ten toes down for me, unlike my parents, who were supposed to always be there. Instead, they'd tossed me aside as if loving me was an option .

"Because he's worth it," I told her honestly. Jenson gently squeezed my upper arm in support. "Even if you two decide to never speak to me again, he is still worth it all. Because unlike you two, when the times got super tough, he was the one making sure I had what I needed. That I was taken care of. We weren't even officially back together yet. Hadn't even worked out our own shit, really." Dad scowled at my cursing, but I ignored him. He didn't get to have a say in what words slipped past my lips anymore. "But he didn't even bat an eye. He did what he had to take care of me."

Dad scrubbed his hand down his face. "It's going to take me time to get used to the fact that you're dating a man almost twice your age," he told me honestly. "But we can work on repairing our relationship, Holly." I blinked in surprise, my muscles tensing. I hadn't been expecting him to cave and agree so easily. What had Jenson said to him before dinner? "And if you want, you're more than welcome to come back home. We'll also get everything sorted with your school. Jenson is right; I acted irrationally and did everything I could to make you hurt like we were, and as your parent—as a decent human being—that was wrong of me."

Jenson cleared his throat. "She's not leaving my house, though if you'll allow her, she can get her things. But she won't be needing her car or any electronics. All of that is already covered." I swung my wide eyes to his. A car ? Laptop ? Tablet? All of that stuff I needed for school, he was just going to take care of? Jenson studiously ignored my wide-eyed gaze. "Holly and I will be going car shopping tomorrow, and I have a laptop and tablet being delivered two days from now. And her school payments are already covered. I wrote her a check and had her take care of that yesterday."

Dad was speechless. Mom was gaping at Jenson, much as I was. Clearly, they'd thought this was some kind of fling, that maybe it might end. Jenson's actions proved he was all in. And they'd truly fucked up.

I wasn't dating an older man because it was fun. It was, but that wasn't why I was with Jenson. I was with him because he truly made me happy .

"A car?" I choked out, drawing Jenson's eyes to me.

Jenson shrugged. "Or a truck. Jeep. SUV. Doesn't matter—whatever you want."

"But I have a perfectly good car?—"

He pressed a finger to my lips to silence me, lowering his head just a bit so our eyes were level. "And you are mine to take care of, doll. Let me do that. I don't want them to hold anything over your head ever again, understand me?"

Tears welled in my eyes, and not giving a single fuck that my parents were sitting right across from us, I cupped his face in my hands and pressed my lips to his.

"I love you," I whispered.

He nuzzled my cheek, sending tingles racing down my spine. "You became the reason I breathe the moment I laid eyes on you," he rasped in my ear.

Every nerve ending in my body sang at his sweet, tender words.