CHAPTER 30
It was almost noon when I emerged from dreamland. Not bothering to put on makeup after my shower, I threw my hair into a wet bun at the top of my head. After a quick lunch, I started the last half of my drive.
My dad and Martha were already home when I pulled up. They both came out to help me unload, securing me into my new life.
We were too tired to cook and ended up ordering pizza. Martha didn’t let my dad eat junk food often, so he was acting like a kid when it arrived.
After dinner, I went for a run. I missed the mountain air and needed to get rid of the pent-up energy from being trapped in the car for so long. When I got back, Martha handed me the information about the job she’d set me up with.
I reminded myself it was only for a year or less while I tried to break my way into the publishing world.
Too heartsick to unpack and too wound up to attempt sleep. I decided to torture myself by writing more of Hope and Skull's story. Now more than ever, I wanted to create their happily ever after. One of us deserved it.
The next three weeks went by at a tortuously slow pace. My days could only be described as monotonous.
I landed the job at the lab and worked five days a week, processing lab results for the hospital. Afterwards, I’d go home and hang out with my dad and Martha, if they happened to be home. Sadly, they had more of a social life than I did. They invited me along, but I didn't want to feel like the third wheel. I always ran before dark, and then got ready for bed. My routine became ingrained.
The only thing I looked forward to were the moments I was emotionally stable enough to open my computer and add to Hope and Skull’s story. They were the light in my life. I was able to create their world, molding it to my will and always in control of the outcome.
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Out of the blue, my English professor called to tell me she had some people who were interested in helping me publish Hope's story. She warned me not to get too excited, but she thought it sounded promising. I told her I was very interested in what they had to say. Finally, my plan to jump into the publishing world seemed possible.
Trent called twice a day, and I ignored him. He never left a voicemail. When his number showed up on my phone, I would hold my breath until the screen went dark.
I trudged home from work one Friday, wondering what I would do to keep myself busy during the weekend. I found a white envelope on my bed with my name written across the front when I walked into my room.
It was bingo night for my dad and Martha, but I would’ve recognized my dad’s handwriting anywhere. I wondered what he’d left to try and cheer up his pathetic daughter. Maybe it was a ticket to join them for bingo.
It wasn't a letter at all, but a card with a ticket inside. My lungs froze when I noticed the ticket was to a JackholeS show that night.
They were playing in the next town, an hour and a half away. My heart beat rapidly when I opened the card.
Don’t get mad at me. I saw they were playing close by and bought the ticket on a whim. I'm not sure what happened with you two. I hope this isn't too out of bounds. Martha keeps your secrets safe (and don’t think I haven’t tried to get them out of her). I love you, Faith. I know I made some mistakes by trusting Jason, and I hate myself every day for that. If I'm being truthful with myself, I always knew he was wrong for you. I let my failing health and my need to have you protected blur my emotions.
You're so strong and independent. I don’t want you to think I'm pushing you toward a man, because I know you don’t need one. Hell, I sleep better at night thinking you're sleeping alone, but that's just a dad thing. I can’t get the look on his face when you passed out on Thanksgiving Day out of my head. He loves you. If he did something you can’t forgive, then throw the ticket away and chalk it up to your dad being emotional.
Love you, Faith.
Dad
I reread the card, before spurring into action. Thankfully, I’d curled my hair that morning, so I didn’t have to do it. I put on makeup, pretending I wasn’t making it perfect in case I saw Kill.
I decided on a pair of ripped black jeans and my lucky Halestorm tank top. A lucky charm couldn't hurt. After finishing with a pair of red heels with little black bows at the back, I raced to my car. My brain tried to talk me out of going, and I did my best to disregard it. Turning up the music really loud, I sang at the top of my lungs.
After finding a parking spot in the back of the lot, I shut off the engine. I didn’t have time to think about what I was doing, because I was already late. The older lady at the front looked bored when she took my ticket and didn’t respond when I thanked her. I shook with adrenaline. People were hanging out at the front of the venue, and relief flooded through me when I didn’t hear music. I hadn't missed them.
When I passed the merchandise booth, I spotted a JackholeS tank top and hoodie. The poor girl working the booth jumped when I screamed with excitement as I pulled out my wallet. She rolled her eyes, probably thinking I was some random fangirl, but I couldn't care less what she thought of me.
I sprinted to the bathroom to change into my new tank. I hoped my lucky Halestorm tank would still work for me, even though I’d had to stuff it in my purse.
While I checked out my new shirt in the mirror, the sound of the crowd roaring to life made my heart skip a beat. Now that I was there I was procrastinating, and it was time to go out and face him...but I couldn’t get my feet to work. I leaned on the bathroom wall, letting it hold me up while I tried to calm down.
Kill’s voice filtered through the walls. It didn't matter that there were walls and a frantic crowd separating us, my body connected to his presence and overrode my brain. Not caring what was going on between us, it craved to be closer. It felt as if I were floating as I made my way into the venue.
As soon as my eyes landed on him, every part of me came to a halt. Seeing him up onstage as he smiled and joked with the crowd made my heart swell with pride. All of the guys had a shine to their eyes, soaking up the energy. They seemed so happy, and the number of people all trying to press their way to the front of the stage was staggering.
Van started off the beat to one of their more popular songs, and the crowd grew fanatical as they screamed and sang along.