Page 126 of Forbidden Fruit
As I descend the steps, I spot Jarad waiting by a sleek black car. His smile is warm and welcoming. “Miss Miller, welcome back,” he greets, opening the door for me with a slight bow.
“Thanks, Jarad.” I slip inside as being back in Boston washes over me. “Please, call me Blair,” I say, offering him a warm smile as he effortlessly handles my luggage.
“Alright, Blair. Would you like to go somewhere before heading to the penthouse?” he asks politely, his demeanor ever professional.
“Actually, I’ll be staying at my parents’ tonight,” I reply,craving the comfort of home over the emptiness of the penthouse. “Could you drop me off at their house?”
“Of course,” he agrees as he starts the car.
The drive is peaceful, Boston’s lights casting a serene glow over the city. About thirty minutes later, we pull up in front of my parents’ house. It’s 11:12 PM. Jarad assures me he’s at my service and confirms our next steps. “I’ll be back to pick you up at 10:45 AM for your sister’s place,” he says.
“Thank you, Jarad.”
My finger barely grazes the doorbell before it swings open, revealing my dad. His eyes widen in surprise. “Blair? Sweetie, what… what are you doing here?”
“Hi, Dad.” I throw my arms around him in a warm hug.
Dad’s voice must have carried, because my mom appears in the doorway a moment later. “Honey, did you just say Blair?” she asks in disbelief.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, moving to hug her too.
She pulls back slightly, examining me with a mixture of surprise and concern. “Sweetheart, how did you get here?”
“Calvin helped with that,” I reply, trying to sound casual as I sink into the sofa.
“Calvin?” my dad echoes, his eyebrows shooting up. “As in Abby’s Calvin?”
I cringe internally at the name but nod. “Yeah… Abby’s Calvin,” I admit, the words tasting bitter.
“Wait, are they back together?” my mom asks.
“No, Mom, they’re not.” I rise from the sofa, the weight of their questions already feeling overwhelming. “I promise to explain everything later. Right now, I’m jet-lagged, and I just want to shower and sleep. Love you, good night.” I kiss them both on the cheek before retreating upstairs.
In the sanctuary of my old room, I climb into my old full-size bed, the worn sheets feeling like a warm embrace.
As I relax, I notice my phone’s screen lighting up with a missed call from Calvin. I dial him back, and he answers on the first ring.
“Hi,” I greet, unable to keep the warmth from my voice.
“Hi,” he replies. “I miss you.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Yeah? I miss you too.”
“Jarad told me you’re staying at your parents’ tonight.”
“Yeah, I just felt like being with them,” I explain, quieter now as exhaustion creeps in.
“Of course. How are they?”
“They’re good, but… well, they called you Abby’s Calvin,” I admit with a light sigh. “Breaking the news to them is going to be… interesting.”
“We’ll do it together, I promise,” he says firmly, his words like a safety net. “Now, get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you, Peach.”
“I love you too,” I whisper, my eyelids already heavy. Hanging up, I let sleep claim me, pulling me into the comfort of dreams.
The next morning, sunlight streams through the sheer curtains of my old bedroom, warming the space and pulling me from sleep. I stretch, relishing the comfort of being back home, when the scent of something delicious drifts upstairs. My stomach growls, spurring me to get up.
I rush through my morning routine, brushing my teeth and throwing on a cozy sweatshirt before heading downstairs. The smell of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage grows stronger, making my mouth water. I glance at the clock as I pass. It’s 7:12 AM.
