Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I look out of the window and release a thick puff of air from my lungs. Drake takes the seat right beside me after everything is tucked away.
Grabbing my hand, he squeezes it tight and I look over at him.
“Nervous?”
I shrug. “A little.”
“You don’t have to worry, Jenny. I’ll be here with you. I’ve got your back. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, we’ll leave. I promise.”
I swallow the thick guilt in my throat. “Okay,” I say, and then I turn to look out of the window again.
We take off within the next ten minutes, and the higher we get from the ground, the tighter I squeeze Drake’s hand. Not out of fear, but from the sheer reality I will soon be facing.
The truth is, I don’t know if Mom has changed. I don’t know if she’s lying or telling the truth, but what I do know is that deep down, I want to have a relationship with her. One that every mother and daughter should have.
I hope I’m not running to Fox River for nothing.
If she really wants my forgiveness, she better not make me work to get the apology out of her. If so, I will never give Fox River a chance again.
This time I mean it.
It all boils down to the woman that raised me.
It’s in her hands. Let’s just hope she doesn’t screw it up.
* * *
“Jenny?” A hand shakes my arm. “Babe?” My eyes flutter open to meet Drake’s bright green irises. His lips spread to smile. “We’re here.”
I blink rapidly, sitting up straight. Looking out of the window, I release a thick breath, studying the lake that isn’t too far away. Yep. That’s Lake Ultimate.
A thousand memories hit me as I remember all that I’d gone through around this lake alone. I look back at Drake and he extends an arm, holding out his hand. Sighing, I accept it and he pulls me to a stand.
Gluing my body to his, he asks, “Having second thoughts?”
“No. Are you?”
“No. This has to happen.” He forces a smile, kissing my cheek before letting me go. “Come on. We’ll see your Mom first.”
“What time is it anyway?” I ask, following him out of the plane. When we step out, I take a look towards the lake, shielding my eyes from the setting sun.
“6:20. Not too late.”
I nod. “Well.” I hold my arm up in the air. “Might as well get this over with.” I take out my phone as a black SUV pulls up in front of us. Drake walks to the truck to toss in the suitcases and that’s when I notice Bill in the front.
I smile as he waves. He must have left early. He didn’t drop us off at the airport. Preach had a limo.
I send Mom a text, requesting the address. She responds in less than thirty seconds, leaving me no choice but to hand the address over to Bill when Drake asks.
I was hoping she would have second thoughts, give me more of a reason to never come to this city again.
I guess that’s not the case anymore.
Whatever she has to say must be important.
It takes us about fifteen minutes to reach our destination. Uncle Ned’s house is actually really nice. It’s smaller than the one I grew up in, though.
A two-story home made of whitewashed brick, black shutters, and a wide chimney right in front of the home. It’s very colonial, a worn-out black driveway leading up to this house on a hill.
The Mom I know would never even think about setting foot in this place. Not that’s it is ugly or bad looking—it’s just too… typical for someone like her.
Bill puts the car in park and I stare ahead. I feel Drake rub my lower back and then I look at him. “How about now?” he asks, a lax smile on his lips.
“Nope. I’m good.” I collect my cellphone and clutch, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You should come in with me. I don’t think I’m the only one she owes an apology to.”
His brows dip instantly. “Jenny, no. She wants to talk to you.”
“Yeah, but you are who I’m with, Drake. You are what I want. She should know that—whether we leave off on the same foot or not.”
He runs a rough hand down his face, and then focuses on the house. The porch light switches on as we both look, and then the door swings open. A tall, thin silhouette stands between the frames and I thin my eyes, as if it will clear up the view.
It’s not until the person steps into the light that I see it’s her. Mom.
Oh my goodness. What in the hell is she wearing?
All I see is her flawless, porcelain skin. She has always been much lighter-skinned than I have. I take most of my color from my father, whom I still have no idea about at the moment.