Page 102 of Love Sick
Alanna ensured Luna and I rode with her and hasn’t let us out of her sight. Bobby and Kyle remain in hell, which makes me suspect Luna is up to something.
Alanna’s guard has lowered because of what happened between Luna and her the other night, which was a smart move on Luna’s part, playing on Alanna’s weaknesses to gain the upper hand.
What she did, showed me that Luna will do anything for vengeance, and although I understand, I can’t let her condemn herself that way. I know Luna, and when all is said and done, she won’t be able to live with what she’s done.
And not to mention the fact of her going to jail for the rest of her life.
I want to save her that pain, but to do so, I know she’s going to hate me more than she already does. I have a plan, a plan which Luna will never forgive me for.
There’s a knock on the door before Alanna enters. She looks beautiful in a champagne-colored dress. Her hair is twisted into some elaborate bun, and her makeup is natural, accenting her beauty.
She smiles when she sees me. “You look wonderful.”
“So do you,” I reply, trying to amp myself up. It’s hard to, however, when I know what looms.
“If anyone asks about Daddy, just agree when I tell them he had to tend to a family emergency overseas.”
That’s a can of worms I don’t want to be getting involved in, so I nod.
It surprises me she’s so blasé about his death. Maybe she’s relieved? I suspect the room in the attic was hers once upon a time. It would explain why she’s so messed up.
There are no winners in this story—only fucking tragedy.
Two men appear in the doorway, their bleached teeth ten shades too white as they smile my way. “It is an absolute honor to meet you, Dutch Atwood,” one says, entering and shaking my hand with a little too much zest.
“Where have you been hiding?” the other asks, winking like we’re in some secret club.
“Just recovering,” I reply politely. “Getting a heart transplant is tiring work.”
Both men look at one another before bursting into laughter. I want to punch them in their faces.
Alanna smiles at me, her relief that I’m playing showing. “Dutch has been practicing tirelessly for tonight. His first performance since the transplant is a big deal.”
“That’s all thanks to you, Alanna. Your dedication to your patients and work is unmatched. We can’t wait to hear about the journey which led to now.”
The men leave while I exhale because I still have no idea what to say. Playing the piano is fine, it’s the talking and the lying I have an issue with.
But all of that can wait when I see a face I’d almost forgotten, because it feels like a lifetime ago since I last saw it.
“Oh, Dutch,” my mom sobs, running into the room and hugging me.
My father trails behind, always a man of few words. I nod at him over my mom’s shoulder. She won’t let me go.
“Alanna said you can come home. That you’re better. We wanted to see you, but thought it would be better for you to heal on your own. I’m so proud of you, playing in front of so many people. My baby boy can show the world what I’ve always known—that you’re special.”
I wish I could return her emotion, but I think I am dead inside. I’m not resentful at them for having me committed. They thought they were doing the right thing. And if they hadn’t, then I would have never met Luna.
But I’m a different person now. I guess Parkfields did change me.
“Alanna, it’s almost time for everyone to take their seats,” a redheaded woman appears, a headset in place.
My parents wish me farewell, thinking a bright new future is ahead. But truth be told, I don’t know what’s on the cards for me.
What I do know, however, is that I’ll be damned if all of this was for nothing because when Luna appears, I refuse to accept anything but a life fully lived for her.
She looks breathtaking in a red silk dress. Alanna no doubt has ensured she looks this way as she can’t have her star witness look anything but perfect.
Luna smiles when she catches me staring at her like a lovestruck fool. “Break a leg.”