Peyton looks over her shoulder at me. I step up and guide her hands where they need to be. It only takes her seconds to remember what she’s supposed to do. Standing behind her, I have a clear shot at Katelyn, who is standing there in the middle of the dance floor staring, not at her daughter who is singing, but the one playing the drums. Her mouth is open in shock and honestly, if I was standing next to her, I think mine would be too. I can’t imagine what these guys look like to the rest of them, but to me, they look perfect.
As soon as they’re done, Peyton jumps into my arms. I hold her tightly. She tells me thank you over and over again. Her words make my throat tight. I can’t find the words to tell her what she means to me or tell her how much I’m going to miss her and her sister. I’ll be back next week, but only to get Quinn and say my good-byes. I can’t say them today, not like this. Not on a happy day when everyone is laughing and enjoying themselves.
“You should go see your mom,” I say, reluctantly letting her go. She smiles and runs off stage, right into her mother’s waiting arms. I can’t watch them. It’s too much. I wave at Quinn, letting him know that I’m ready to leave.
He comes over and gives me a high five. “I missed a riff.”
“It’s okay, you did good.” I ruffle his hair. “I’m going to go now. I’ll be back in a week unless you need me to come back sooner. All the things you need are at Liam’s, okay?”
“I love you, dad.”
“I love you too, bud. Call me tomorrow.”
Quinn waves and goes back to the party. He’s getting pats on the back for his performance. I never thought about what I’d want him to be when he gets older. If music’s his thing, then so be it and if he wants to be a doctor, that’s fine too. I just want him to be happy.
I walk along the back of the room to the exit. I take one last look at the life I’m leaving behind. Katelyn is talking to Liam. Josie is dancing with my son, and the two girls that I wanted to call my own are dancing with Noah. I feel a pang of jealousy that everyone is so happy and content when I could’ve been that way, if it wasn’t for the actions of someone else.
The night air is cold. There is a light snow falling, just enough to leave footprints on the ground when you walk. I don’t wait for my car to heat up. After the snow is cleared, I pull out of the parking lot and head for home. The lights from the reception shine in my rear view mirror. Half of me wants to stay, but the other half wants to get the hell out dodge before my heart shatters beyond repair.
By the time I pull into my driveway, the snow has become heavier. If this delays my flight, I’ll drive to Los Angeles. Even though there’s nothing there waiting for me, staying here has become torture.
I flip on the lights as I enter the house. I only have a few more things to pack before I’m done. The movers will be here tomorrow to drive everything back and if it’s not in a box, it doesn’t make the trip.
I change quickly into a pair of jeans and t-shirt, hanging my tuxedo up in the closet. Josie and Liam aren’t going on a honeymoon until February, and Liam said he’d make sure the tux gets returned, along with Quinn’s.
I walk into the kitchen. The linoleum is cold on my bare feet. Boxes are made up in the corner. I pick up one, along with some bubble wrap and get to work. This is a tedious job and I know why I’ve left it for last. Wrapping dishes and glasses is probably the most mundane thing I’ve ever done.
I look at the clock when I hear knocking on the door. It’s too late for anyone to be paying a visit, and everyone I know is at the reception. Twisting the doorknob, I open the door. I bite the inside of my cheek to avoid having an expression. This is the last thing I want to deal with right now.
“What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” She steps in without being invited. I slam the door shut behind her, causing her to jump. She stands there without a jacket on, her skin wet from where the snow has landed on her. It takes every ounce of strength that I can muster to keep from touching her. She left me, I remind myself.
“So talk,” I say with a bit of a bite. My wall is up. No more emotion from me.
“You’re leaving?”
I look around at the boxes and frown. Does she think I’m remodeling?
“Yep,” I reply and walk into the kitchen to finish packing. I have a feeling I’ll be up all night doing this shit, so might as well make good use of my time.
“Harrison?”
“What, Katelyn?” I slam the glass that’s in my hand down on the counter. I feel like a shit when I see her lower lip tremble. I don’t want her to cry, but I can’t be a doormat for her. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you. As you can see, I’m moving back to Los Angeles.”
“Why?” she asks as her shoulders drop.
I can answer her one of two ways; truthfully or easily. I lean against the counter and clear my throat. Suddenly the floor has become very interesting. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I can’t live in this town and watch you fall in love with someone else. I just can’t, and that’s going to happen someday and frankly, I don’t want to see it.”
“So you’re leaving? What about Quinn?”
“Quinn will be fine. Spending a few months in public school and leaving isn’t going to scar him for life. He’s used to a different way of living, he’ll adjust.”