Page 17 of Consumed By Fire

"In the operating room for what?"

"If you had bothered to answer, you stupid girl, you'd know he needs a bypass. As soon as you finish playing Happy Mom, get your ass home. Your dad wants to see you."

"Come back to Boston?" I ask, surprised.

"Why? Aren't you in Boston?" she replies in annoyance.

"I'll be there as soon as I can,” I say, rolling my eyes.

"As you please, and don't bring that bastard child of yours with you. You've already ruined our family,” she says. I feel the anger mounting.

Dylan shuts the phone before I can reply. I'm nervous and he takes my hand and kisses it.

"It's going to be okay. We'll unload the car at your place, so you can get your suitcase ready. We'll pass by my place so that I can get some things, then we'll go to the airport. Is that okay?"

"Are you coming with me?"

"I'm not leaving you alone, baby."

"But the furniture will arrive tomorrow."

"One of the boys will take care of it."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

I look up the nearest airport as Dylan drives to Armstrong and I’m disappointed. "There are no flights until tomorrow afternoon. If we leave now, we’ll be there tomorrow before lunch."

“With your car or mine?” Dylan asks.

"Quixie has more space."

"Okay," he says, parking the car in front of Paradise. "Go pack your suitcase. I'll take care of the decorations."

"Thanks," I tell him, running into the house.

I call Lacey to update her on the upcoming departure and ask her to keep an eye on Paradise with Blaire. Nothing ever happens here but you never know.

I go outside carrying not only my suitcase but also Dylan's things.

"I brought you the clothes, toothbrush, and charger you had here,” I say, giving him his duffel. "I’ve already informed Lacey of the imminent departure."

"It's going to be okay, Charlotte," he says, hugging me. I hug him tightly, which calms me down. Everything will be fine.

When we arrive at Dylan's house, I walk in with him as he goes to get some clothes. I sit on the floor in the living room, admiring the painting and thinking back to Dad and the trip we’d once planned to Hawaii. Unfortunately, the day before the departure, he’d told me that I’d be going with my grandfather because he had a work commitment. I sigh, closing my eyes, silently praying that all is well.

"I'm ready. Let's go,” says Dylan, walking down the stairs quickly. "Hey, baby, are you all right?” he asks while crouching next to me.

Baby ... I love when he calls me that.

"Yes, everything is fine. Shall we go?" I ask and he nods, helping me up. We leave the house and he locks the door, then follows me to the car.

The journey is long and the traffic is insane. We talk for a while but then I feel tired and fall asleep. When he stops for gas, I wake up and go down to use the restroom and then buy water.

"It's my turn. Where are we?"

"We're in Virginia," he says as we get in the car. For the next six hours, we have a good time and grind some road.