Page 94 of Rival Season
CHAPTER 35
HAZEL
It takeseverything in my power not to let the shock I feel show on my face as I hold Penn’s steady blue gaze.
I’d be lying if I said his statement didn’t hurt me, not because I think something from his past changes the man I know he is, but because there was something he obviously didn’t feel comfortable telling me. Something big that altered him. I know the man Penn is today, and that’s all that matters to me. I want him to trust me with everything he’s gone through and know that I won’t judge him for it. It kills me that he didn’t feel he could do that.
Even right now, watching his handsome face morph into embarrassed shame, I’m not ashamed ofhim.
I’m ashamed of my family, and of Chadwick and his parents. I’m ashamed that they’re trying to humiliate Penn for his past, for simply being different from them…and I’m devastated Penn and his sister didn’t have the family life they deserved.
My mind is buzzing, I look at Penn, unable to think of what to say to him. I long to be alone with him right now. Instead, we have the worst possible audience for what is clearly a very painful, private memory for Penn.
He takes my silence the wrong way, and his shoulders slump as his eyes drop down to his lap in embarrassment.
I open my mouth to comfort him, to let him know I’m not judging him—and if anything,heshould be the one judgingmyfamily for their horrendous behavior right now—but my mother opens her big mouth instead.
“Hazel, you cannot continue seeing this…” Mom gestures wildly toward Penn, a look of horror on her pretty face. “This…miscreant!”
“Mom!” I hiss as people around the restaurant begin turning their heads. “You’re making a scene. And Penn’s not a criminal.”
She lowers her voice, but only a little. “He’s been toprison,Hazel.”
Penn tenses beside me, and my blood heats with anger. She’s being so unfair to Penn right now. I want to defend him, but I have no idea what to say because I don’t know the story of what really happened.
“I know you’re passionate about helping people, and working for practically no pay, but it’s not your responsibility to save everyone.” Mom sighs in frustration. “Honestly, I’m so disappointed in you. We raised you better than this.
Right when I thought my opinion of my parents couldn’t possibly be any lower, my mother proves me wrong. Her words are like scissors to the last fraying threads that tie us together, slicing through our bond, separating us indefinitely. This woman has no idea who Penn truly is, and despite correcting her snap judgment of him, she’s clinging to one comment from Chadwick without even hearing Penn’s side of the story.
She won’t listen to me about Chadwick’s character flaws,ormy defense of Penn…she doesn’t trust my judgment. Clearly, she doesn’t know anything about whoIreally am…and she probably will never take the time to find out. She’d rather stay on herhigh horse, allowing her pride to carry her through life instead of seeing things from another perspective.
Penn stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor and drawing everyone’s attention. I look up at him, adrenaline racing through my veins as I wait for him to defend himself. To prove them all wrong and vindicate himself.
But once again, my boyfriend goes and shows me that his kindness and goodness know no bounds.
He stares directly at my mother as he says, “Respectfully, ma’am, you can insult me, and you can insult my family. I don’t really care; I can take it. I might even deserve it.” He shakes his head. “But I will not sit here another second while you attack your daughter. I’ve never had more respect for another person as I do for Hazel. She’s incredible, and it’s devastating that you have no idea how amazing she is. You should hang on her every word, you should be damn impressed with everything she does. You should worship the ground this woman walks on, admire how she serves others. Instead, you belittle her, making it sound like she’s wasting her life.” He pauses as everyone around the table stares at him in silence. “I hope someday you pull your heads out of your asses and discover how amazing your daughter is, but until that day comes, I’m out of here.”
Penn turns and looks at me, cupping my face in one hand as he gently caresses my cheekbone with his thumb. Then he turns and leaves without another word.
I’m warm all over as I watch every step he takes, until he’s out of sight. Nobody has ever spoken so highly of me. Seeing myself through Penn’s perspective makes me feel special and treasured andenoughin a way I’ve never felt before. Like I finallyfitand belong.
Mom breathes an indignant huff, and my father throws his cloth napkin down on the table. “Well, I’ve never seen such a display,” Dad says.
“Yeah.” Cory sniffs. “Me either…from you two.”
“What?” my mother asks, aghast. “Did you not hear what Chadwick said about that boy?”
“I did. Frankly, I don’t care. Whatever Penn did or didn’t do in his past doesn’t change the fact that he’s right,” Cory tells her. “You both need to appreciate who Hazel is. Honestly, I agree with every word he said.”
I look at my brother with tears in my eyes. I never realized how much I needed someone on my side, someone to stick up for me. Today, I have two people in my corner. Sure, I can defend myself, but it’s nice to have people who will stick up for me.
Standing from the table, I ignore the Weatherbys—who have been watching this whole showdown in stony silence—and offer Cory a grateful smile. “It was nice to see you Cory, but I’ve got to go.”
He grins at me. “Go get him, Hazel.”
My parents stand, too. “Sweetheart, you can’t be serious," my father says.
Mom frowns. “You’re leaving us, forhim?”
