Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“As much as I hate to sell the place, it’s time. You were right about needing a fresh start. The family that bought the house has three small children and I just know they’ll enjoy it.”
I nod. “It was a great place to grow up. Miles and I were happy here.”
“We all were,” Mom adds softly.
A heavy silence falls over the four of us before Dad clears his throat. “We packed up some boxes of Miles’ stuff for you to take.”
“Thank you,” I murmur. It couldn’t have been easy for them to sift through the past and make their peace with it.
Dad’s gaze flickers from me to the man at my side. “I, ah, was talking to Wolf.”
Wolf’s eyes widen in surprise. It’s only been a couple weeks since the outburst at the restaurant. After the shock of my new relationship wore off, they called to tell me that I was right and that they were going to work on leaving the past where it belonged.
In the past.
“It’s a lot of hockey and school memorabilia.” Dad shifts and glances away as his voice deepens with emotion. “He’d want you to have it.”
Wolf offers his hand for Dad to shake. My breath catches at the back of my throat as we all wait to see how my father will react. Tension ratchets up in the sun-filled room before Dad reaches out and meets him midway.
“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it.”
Dad jerks his chin into a tight nod before his lips lift into a reluctant smile. “You’re welcome.”
Heavy emotion hangs in the air before my father turns to me, blinking away the wetness that shines in his eyes. “So, are you ready to do this?”
That question is enough to have nerves leaping to life inside me before scuddling across my arms. When I nod, he slips his hand into the pocket of his jeans and pulls out a key ring with a hockey puck. A thick lump gathers in my throat, making it impossible to breathe, as he sets it in the palm of my hand.
After all these years, I never imagined this day would come.
With Wolf’s arm wrapped around my waist, we trail after my parents to the garage out back where Miles’ Porche has been sitting idle. The closer we get, the harder my heart slams against my ribcage.
“You still doing okay?” Wolf asks, his lips pressed against my ear.
I tilt my head just enough to meet his probing gaze. “Better than okay.”
It’s not a lie. This feels like a new beginning, and I love that we’re all moving forward together.
As a family.
The way it should be.
“Good.”
Dad unlocks the three-stall garage and steps inside the dark space. We trail after him as he hits the opener on the side of the wall and the large door creaks before rising, allowing enough bright sunlight to pour inside and chase away the shadows. The last time I was here, there was a large cloth covering the Porsche. That’s no longer the case. The little sports car is bright and shiny as if raring to go.
Dad shifts, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I took it out for a spin last week and then dropped it off at the mechanic to make sure everything was running smoothly. They changed the oil and checked all the fluids. They said it was in great shape and shouldn’t give you any trouble.”
I blink away the hot sting of tears that fill my eyes as I step closer and trail my fingers over the red paint. Miles loved this car so much. It was his baby. Dad bought it for him when he was fifteen years old, and my brother spent all his spare time working on it.
There were so many hours I sat in here with Miles and Wolf while they joked around with each other. Once Miles turned sixteen and passed his driver’s exam, it unlocked a whole new level of freedom for the three of us.
“You want me to drive the Porsche back to school, angel?” Wolf asks, thumbing away a tear and drawing my attention back to the present.
“No. I’d like to do it myself.”
More like I need to do it myself.
He doesn’t argue. “Okay. I’ll grab the boxes from inside and be right behind you.”
“Thank you.”
My hands tremble as I slide behind the wheel and turn the key in the ignition. The engine purrs to life and I glance at my parents to find that, like me, they’re trying to hold their emotions in check.
But it’s hard.
Even though it’s time we all move on with our lives, that doesn’t mean it’s easily accomplished.
Wolf kisses me one last time before I wave to my parents. It’s gently that I press the clutch and shift into first gear. As soon as I accelerate, the engine revs and the vehicle shoots out of the garage. I draw in a deep breath, attempting to calm the nerves that skitter across my skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake.