Piecing Together Sydney (A Sydney West Novel Book 3) (6 page)

Amelia grabbed her purse and cell phone. “Hunter and I are going out so you can enjoy your future in-laws.”

A ping hit my heart at the thought of having a mother and sister-in-law soon. “Crazy to think of that, right? But I did always want a sister growing up. I’m glad—”

Amelia pouted, looking down at the ground like her ice cream had fallen off its cone onto the dirt. “Oh, I see how you are.”

I dug my nails into my palms. My comment hurt her feelings. We always called each other “sisters” since she only had a brother. “You know what I mean. You’re my sis too.” I hugged her.

Her cheek rested on my shoulder. “I know. It’s because of you that I want at least two kids.” She pushed out of our hug, giving me a broken smile, as if she pitied me.

I wrinkled my nose. “Am I that bad?”

She laughed. “No, but I think having a sibling is more fun than being alone. Yeah, they will fight, but I hope they will get along more than not get along, you know?”

“I hear you.”

She cocked her head to the side. “What about you?”

“Not sure yet. I guess we’ll see what happens down the road. I need to wait until I finish college though.”

She nodded. “Agreed. Don’t want to waddle from class to class.”

A chill of fear ran down my spine as I pictured myself with a huge belly trying to get from one side of campus to the other. “Ugh, yeah. I’m totally keeping lots of condoms and staying on my birth control.”

“Plus we have bigger fish to fry first.” She touched my ring.

I looked over at the clock. Jason’s family was due in half an hour. “You don’t have to leave. They love you and—”

She tsked and held her finger up as if to silence a child. “I know, but this is a family thing, and I’ve been dying to try this new sushi place and—”

I stuck my tongue out. “God, go on then. Thank you for not dragging me there. I have no idea how you can eat that shit.”

“It’s good if you’d try it.” She gave me a pointed glare. “I love it.” Her hand rubbed her stomach absentmindedly it seemed as she looked down the hallway. “Are you coming, Hunter?”

He appeared out of their bedroom, messing with his wet hair. “Yeah, I’m here, hun.”

She beamed at him and wrapped herself around him. “I love you, gummy bear.” They made out, and though I was open to public affection and love, that kind of devotion still made me dizzy.

Jason walked out of the kitchen and took a piece of my hair, wrapping it around his finger until I tilted my head. “You wanna make out like them?”

I leaned in closer, biting my bottom lip. “If we did that we’d have to go into the bedroom, and we have no time with your family coming. Otherwise…” I scanned the mountain of muscle his upper body was.

He released my hair and ran a hand over his face. “Damn, you’re scalding hot, Syd.” His attention went back to the couple sucking face like my living room was a porn set. “You two’d better go now if you don’t want to be here for dinner. My mom won’t let you leave if you’re still here.”

They broke away from each other, breathing heavily. “Okay, have fun. Call if you need anything!” Amelia led Hunter out of the house like his arm was a leash.

Sometimes it was hard to believe I was the one getting married when Amelia was over the moon—hell, over Pluto—in love with Hunter. I flicked my eyes to Jason. His chest was rock hard from surfing, yet I could easily fall asleep on him while watching a movie. I loved how his rough hands caressed my body, like I was dangerous yet special. Maybe our love reached for the stars too, I just was too close to see how intoxicating it was.

***

The dinner wasn’t anything fancy. We bought a fried chicken and peeled and mashed up some potatoes. Well, Jason was in charge of the potatoes. I opened the can of corn and poured it into a glass bowl. I also got the dinner rolls out with the butter. God, I was a horrible host. I needed to learn to do more than reheat pizza if I was going to be able to support a family.

Ellie and Kylie walked in as soon as the potatoes were done. We all sat down and piled our plates with food.

“This is wonderful,” Ellie said, smiling at me.

Kylie snickered. “Yeah, you picked an awesome chicken from…ouch!”

Ellie sat next to Kylie and swatted her arm. “Be nice.”

Jason pointed his fork at his sister. “Yeah, Sydney is planning a wedding. Do you think she has time to make food for you too?”

She shrugged, swallowing a big bite of potatoes.

I didn’t enjoy having my crappy dinner defended. “Thanks…”

We sat in silence for a bit. The dinner was delicious, but I knew it was pathetic. Wedding planning wasn’t a real excuse since Amelia was doing it all, but I was never going to become one of those fifties wives who cooked from scratch, cleaned the house, and took care of the kids. I wasn’t a homemaker. I was a planner, a dreamer, and a doer. I’d admit I needed more skills in the kitchen, but there was nothing wrong with the premade cookies you popped in the oven and they were done. That was my kind of cooking.

“How are the waves this summer?”

Jason beamed at his mom. “They are epic. I think something is happening in Mexico and it’s making the ocean have extra waves.”

I nodded. “Yeah, the surf is fantastic. Seems to be better this summer than it has been in previous years.”

“No lessons needed.” Jason side-eyed me, going back to when we first met and Amelia claimed we were lacking in the skill department.

I stabbed a chunk of chicken breast with my fork. “Totally…”

Kylie tilted her head, looking back and forth between Jason and me. “What am I missing?”

Ellie chuckled. “Couple stuff, sweetie. You’ll know about it soon enough.”

“Ugh, I hope not. I want to travel the world and take pictures.”

Her mother sighed. I bet Jason’s mom and mine could bond over how difficult their daughters were.

“By the way,” Kylie said, slapping the table and scaring the crap out of me. “Do you have a photographer for the wedding yet?”

“Hmm…” I looked at Jason and he shrugged. “I don’t think so. Amelia is the brains and I have no clue.”

“Well, put me down that I want to be the photographer. Even if you have one, I want to help.”

I nodded. “Noted. I’ll tell Amelia when she comes home.”

“How was dress hunting? Sorry we couldn’t tag along.” Ellie gave me a small smile.

“No worries, you were busy. It was good. My mom came over to help. I have pictures if you want to see it.”

“Yes!” Ellie and Kylie said at the same time.

I laughed. “Okay, I’ll get my phone. It’s in the living room.”

They clapped as I parted from the table. Jason looked down at his napkin. “Wish I could see it too…”

His mom tsked. “You’ll see her on the wedding day and not a second before. It’s bad luck.”

I exited the kitchen and dug in the couch for my cell phone. I found it and a quarter. When I turned to go back to the table, I saw a car drive by the house slowly and then disappear. That was strange. Maybe they were looking at addresses on the houses and were lost. I let it go and went back to my little family.

“Okay, my mom had my phone and took a ton of photos. I also have some pictures of the cake and flowers. The theme is black and white,” I said, sitting back into my chair and scrolling through my gallery looking for the right pictures.

“Here.” I handed my phone over to Kylie. Ellie and she oohed and ahhed over my photos as they scrolled through them.

Jason shoved what was left of his roll in his mouth. “You girls are killing me.”

I giggled, slapping his leg. “Baby, it’s worth the wait. I promise.”

His silver eyes burned into my flesh. “It’s not solid black, is it?”

A smile stole my lips. “God, you, my mom, and Amelia are all against a black dress. I think they are badass. No, it’s not solid black.” I ran the back of my hand down his cheek. “No more clues for you.”

“I can’t wait!” Kylie squealed. “I’m going to love taking these pictures.”

“Thanks.” I took my phone back and sat it face down by my plate.

“What are you going to serve for dinner?” Ellie asked.

Jason and I answered, “Chicken and steak.”

Our conversation continued about the wedding until the doorbell rang. Jason and I shared a confused look as he got up. A few moments later, the door opened and a voice filled the air; then there was dead silence. I feared Jason got stabbed and the killer took off, so I got up to check things out.

An older man about the same size as Jason stood before him. They just stared at each other. It was as if they were in the Wild West and about to draw on one another.

Kylie got up and peeked around the corner with me. “Oh my God!” She ran to the mystery man. “Dad!”

Dad? Oh shit.

Kylie screamed again and raced into her father’s arms like he was gone for a long business trip that lasted a few days and didn’t walk out on his family over a decade ago.

“Hey, kitten! Look how you grew up!” He picked Kylie up and spun her in a circle.

I stood in the kitchen’s archway stunned, unsure what to do. To my left, Ellie stood with her mouth agape. Jason had taken a step back for Kylie and glared at the man like he was Satan.

How did he find my beach house and know not only his son would be here, but his daughter and ex-wife too?

“How have you—”

Jason pulled Kylie away and pushed his father back out the front door. “What the fuck are you doing here? You can’t just show up and think we’ll take you back.”

I didn’t know I rushed forward until Kylie threw herself on me, sobbing. “Don’t yell at him, Jason!” she screamed through her tears.

“Why don’t you go over to your mom? I’ll take care of Jason.” I nudged Kylie to the kitchen.

Ellie was still standing in the doorway motionless.

Kylie muttered something and ran to her mother like a little girl who fell off her bike and needed her cut knee kissed and bandaged.

“Son, please let me explain—”

Jason shoved his pointer finger into his father’s chest. “I’m not your son! I don’t know who you are or how you found Sydney’s house. Just leave.”

I stepped in front of Jason to make sure my future husband didn’t murder his father and spend the rest of his life in prison. “Mister—”

“You can call me Daniel. You must be Sydney. It’s nice to meet you.” He offered me his right hand like we were going into business together.

Out of habit, I shook his hand. It was hard to leave him hanging. Jason pulled me behind him. “Don’t touch her. How do you even know my fiancé?” His voice was deep and venomous. I had never heard him this pissed before.

“I saw your wedding announcement online. I keep tabs on you and your sister and thought I’d come in person to congratulate you and Sydney.”

Jason held my wrist tightly, making me whine in pain. “Jason, that hurts.”

He let me go. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Please go back inside.”

“Don’t send Daddy away again!” Kylie screamed from within the house. She broke my heart, crying for her father like the innocent girl she was when he left.

“Kylie, that’s enough,” Jason barked. He shoved his father toward the porch’s steps. “Go now.”

“Wait…I just…” Daniel moved down the steps and stood at their base. He glanced over at me. “Could you talk some sense into my boy? I’m staying at the Eclipse Hotel a few miles from here.”

I shrugged, not wanting to answer in words and upset Jason further.

Kylie leaped off the porch before I knew she passed me. She grabbed her father and sobbed. “Don’t go! Please, not yet.”

“For fuck’s sake!” Jason threw his hands in the air.

Ellie padded onto the porch, rubbing her forehead. “How did he find us?” she muttered to herself.

“What should we do?” I asked, watching Kylie hug her father like he was going off to war.

“I don’t know. Daniel just took off on us after the divorce. Kylie was heartbroken. I don’t want to hurt her again, but…” She looked over at Jason as he paced up and down the porch. “We can’t let Jason get too angry either.”

I nodded and dared to speak to the love of my life. “Hey, do you want—”

He waved me off and looked over at Kylie again. “No, I’ll go upstairs so my sister can visit our piece of shit fath…whatever the fuck he is.” Jason stormed into the house and each step up the stairs was pounded into the wood.

Ellie sighed and wrung her hands together. “Kylie, sweetie, come back inside…he can come too, for a
short
visit.”

She turned her head. Her green eyes were saucers and wrinkled in the corners due to her enormous grin. “Are you serious?”

Her mom gave a brief smile and nodded toward the front door. Kylie grabbed her father’s arm and towed him into the house, talking a mile a minute. He laughed and gave Ellie and me a nod as if thanking us for letting him in.

Ellie rubbed her forehead. “God, I can’t believe this.”

I dug my nails into my palms, unsure what to do or say. “What should I do?”

She gave me a ghost of her smile. “Can you make some coffee and spike mine, a lot?”

I squeezed her shoulder. “Of course.”

We entered the house, and Ellie sat down on the rocking chair watching her daughter catch up with her long-lost father on the couch.

My heart hammered in my chest as I made a fresh pot of coffee and pulled Bailey’s out of the cabinet. “Hmm…” I tapped my finger to my chin and exchanged Bailey’s for Jack Daniels. Times like this we needed a stronger drink.

Part of me wanted to go upstairs and check on Jason, but he made it clear he wanted to be alone while Daniel was here. I also felt like I needed to stay downstairs to make sure Daniel didn’t break Kylie’s heart again. Not sure how I could do that, but I wanted to protect her. She was going to be my sister soon.

The coffee pot spat; it was done. I poured two cups and a lot of Jack into the mugs. I gave Ellie’s splash of creamer since she didn’t seem to like the bitter taste of black coffee. I entered the living room to see Kylie showing her father pictures on her phone and telling him the stories behind them all. Ellie stood against the wall by my surfboard, looking like the worried mom she was.

“Here you go.” I gave her a cup.

“Thanks.” She took a sip and wrinkled her nose at the taste. “Damn, you do know how to make a strong drink, girl.” I thought she’d regret it, but she kept drinking it like a dying person who’d just found water.

I took in my coffee. It was heavenly and helped me deal with all the chaos going on in my home.

“Come here, Syd. I want you to sit by me.” Kylie hit the spot next to her. I downed the rest of my drink and left the mug on the coffee table.

“Hey…” I said lamely.

Ellie shook her head and went upstairs, hopefully to check on Jason.

“Dad, Sydney is amazing! She’s going to school to be a therapist.”

Daniel chuckled. “I’m glad Jason found someone special, and with brains and beauty, what a lovely gift.”

I smiled, unsure how I should take that. “Thanks.”

“How’s my boy been?”

I stared down at my hands in my lap. “Good. Jason is a computer nerd. He saves my ass when I get my laptop full of malware because I’m a fool with technology.”

Daniel let out a loud, rough laugh. It kind of reminded me of Jason when something made him laugh until he couldn’t breathe. “That’s great! Both of you have good heads on your shoulders. I see a wonderful future for you both.”

“You should come to the wedding!” Kylie said, bouncing up and down.

His eyes shot to me. I froze but the look on my face must’ve showed my horror. Jason would have a field day if his father came to our wedding.

“I don’t think I can, kitten.” He patted her arm. “But I’m staying in a hotel not too far from here for the next few days if—”

“We can go to dinner and maybe—”

Her mom cut in. “Kylie, I think it’s time to say good-bye. We need to go home soon and I think your…father…looks tired.” She gave Daniel a pointed look, telling him he’d had enough time with her baby girl.

“But we were making plans!” Kylie’s eyes watered. She sniffed and grabbed my hand. “Sydney, please talk to Jason. Don’t let him ruin this.”

Daniel stood. “Your mom’s right. I need to sleep, had a long trip. I’ll see you again soon, kitten. Here’s my card. I’m a real estate agent now. My cell number is on the back.” He handed Kylie a card. She held it to her chest like it was a precious gem.

“And please let me know if I can ever…speak to Jason. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I’d like to talk to him at least once.” He gave me a card too.

“I’ll try,” I said quietly, unsure if I was being honest or not.

Kylie gave her father a bone crushing hug, and he kissed the top of her head before going out the same door he entered and turned all our lives upside-down.

Ellie rubbed her temples and moaned. “I have a headache. Kylie, let’s go home.”

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and stood up. Her pretty face was screwed up in anger. “Why are you against my daddy? He finally returned, and you all act like he’s some kind of monster.” She huffed and went into the kitchen.

Ellie leaned over the couch and whispered. “Try to talk to Jason. I have no idea what’s going on in his head. He wouldn’t open the door or say a single word to me. I’m very worried.”

I gave her a smile, but it was weak. More like one side of my mouth went up a touch. “I’ll try. I’d have no idea how to take this in if my father took off and then blew back into my life like this.” I thought my shitty father was bad enough doing drugs and turning our home into World War III. I had no way to know what it’d be like if that demon just vanished into thin air and then reappeared.

“Thank you. And will you—”

“I’ll call and update you.”

She nodded, touching my shoulder. “Thank you, Sydney.”

Kylie came out of the kitchen with her purse and a bottle of water. Her face was still sour with a pout that made her look like some kind of depressed model.

“Bye,” Ellie said over her shoulder. Kylie said nothing, just walked out like a small child whose favorite toy was taken away from her.

I took a few deep breaths and went into the kitchen to take a shot of Jack. Actually I took two. After a couple heartbeats, I went up the stairs and knocked on our bedroom door. “Jason?”

Nothing.

“Honey, everyone is gone. You can come out now.”

Silence.

“Jason, please talk to me.” I pleaded, placing my forehead against the door.

“I just need to be alone, Sydney.” His voice was distant; broken, even. Was he crying?

“You don’t have to hide from me. I know what it’s like to have a shitty father. We can get through—”

“No! You have no idea! Just go.” Something heavy hit the door. I jumped back and narrowed my eyes.

Never thought I’d be locked out of my own bedroom before.

“Fine!” I turned on my heel and went back downstairs. If Jason wanted to be alone, he had the right to be.

I poured more Jack into my mug. How did things become so sour? We were perfect and in sync. Now I had no idea how my future husband was feeling. He didn’t seem to remember that we had the same pain. Both abandoned by useless fathers. No, they didn’t deserve that title. They were sperm donors.

How the tables have turned in the worst way. I was the cold one. I was the one with the icy heart and a chip on her shoulder. Jason was warm and sweet, even with his dark background. I finally let Jason in, and he helped heal my shattered heart. Now he’s the closed off one, and I feel hurt that he didn’t come to me. He was my glue when my father died, and when his father shows up, he goes into lock down mode. What did that mean? What was I to him if not the glue to fix his heart?

Was I overthinking things? Maybe, but my stitched-up heart was bleeding at the seams. Any more stabs and it would be in pieces again, and they might be microscopic. There’d be no repairing it after this.

I swallowed some more Jack and looked at my phone. Amelia and Hunter were having too much fun and crashing at a hotel in Santa Monica. At least they could live in a bubble of bliss.

My brain searched for a quote to explain things, but couldn’t come up with one. My old habit wasn’t prepared for this. The only thing I could do was wait out the storm and hope Jason wasn’t lost to me. Perhaps he was overcome with pain he hadn’t felt in a long time. I’d have faith in my Jason. He didn’t give up on me, and there were so many reasons to last summer.

This summer it was my turn to help Jason heal from the deep scars of the past.