Every Little Dream(44)

Dad nods. The drive over is silent. So much to say but where to start? Dad made it clear last night what he thought of me. He keeps glancing over at me. His disdainful look morphs into something different. I can’t quite figure it out.

“I was wrong, Chadwick…Chad.”

Huh? I tense, waiting for the bomb to drop. This must be some kind of ploy.

“I’ve been wrong about a lot.” His shoulders slump as if this admission is taking years off his life. “I shouldn’t have tried to use your internship for my gain.” He clears his throat. “I officially stepped away from the case. I told Kingston’s father I couldn’t take it on. Not this time. He wanted me to investigate and then possibly defend his son.”

He was working for the Senator? I’m surprised but not completely shocked. I should’ve seen it earlier. We pull into Jimmy’s short gravel driveway.

“Well, it’s been real.” I put my hand on the door.

“Wait, Chad.” Dad takes a deep breath. His voice breaks. “I’m sorry for pushing you away when you didn’t want what I wanted. Your mother would have my head if she was still around.”

All I can do is stare out the window at the beach house I’ve been crashing at for awhile. The rickety porch, the flower boxes and the flag waving from the top of the house. It all seems so meaningless. For the first time in forever I have no snappy comeback or sarcastic remark.

“You should be free to live your life the way you want to. Of course, if you want, I’ll pay for law school. A job with my office is always open. Though I have a feeling you’d manage just fine on your own.”

I hesitate, waiting for the bargaining chip he’ll throw at me.

“I’m not cutting off your trust. It’s there for you if you want it. You’re free to use it for whatever you’d like. I won’t judge. Hopefully, you’ll use it wisely.” His voice chokes as if this is hard for him to say. “You need to make your own way in life. I’m sorry I didn’t see it earlier.”

The emotion climbs up my throat making it hard to talk. I’ve waited to hear those words forever, but I have a more important matter that weighs on my heart. One person. One name appears in my mind. Katie.

If it’s not too late.

“Thanks, Dad.” I realize that’s the first time I’ve called him that and really meant it. I climb out of the car.

He rolls down the passenger window. “I talked with this girl, Katie. You’d be a fool to let her get away.”

With a wave, he pulls out. The wheels spin and dust rises into the air. I’d be a fool. Sudden joy and anticipation rushes through my chest. I sprint inside. Jimmy and Andrea are going at it on the couch, a tangle of arms and legs and lingerie.

“Sorry, guys. I’ll be gone soon. Promise.” I grab the keys to my bike and rush outside.

The drive over to the Inn takes forever. A pile-up from the start of summer traffic near the boardwalk leaves me cursing and gunning my engine. Finally, I park in the back and run inside. A gut instinct tells me I’m too late. She’ll never forgive me. How could she?

I sprint through the back kitchen and into the restaurant. I’m breathing hard and feel crazy. “Katie!” I shout. I twirl around in the restaurant, searching the faces, looking for her blonde hair and perky smile. People stare at me, their eyebrows raised, but curious too. Some glare at me like I’m nuts, but I don’t care.

Justine rushes over and puts her hand on my arm. “She’s gone.”

“What do you mean?” I stumble back. “My dad said she went…home.” It sinks in. Not home to the Inn. “She left?”

Justine nods. “She was ready to be back with her family.”

I’m a tough guy. But right now those words, the fact that Katie’s gone, leaves me feeling like a little boy. Crushed.

Justine fishes in her pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. “She left this for you.”

The piece of paper is a ray of sunshine. I take it with a shaky hand.

“Good luck.” Justine smiles. “She can’t be too far away.”

I quickly read it, then shove it in my pocket and sprint back to my bike.

It eats up the road and I don’t think about the speed limit. I only think about finding Katie.

I turn onto the highway and let go. I fly. I’m flying. The wind ripples through my shirt. For the first time, I’m doing what I want. For me. For no one else. All our memories are boxed in my heart. Dancing with her. Fighting for her. Eating peanut butter crackers. Talking. Kissing.

They say you just know when it’s right. That the right girl could come along at any time, when we least expect it. I know firsthand this is true, because I’d do anything for her and want to spend the rest of my life proving it to her.