Page 72 of Free to Live

My father falls back in his chair, an incredulous look on his face. “I can’t believe this.”

“I was going to go to her after the funeral, but then Melissa was so distraught over Justin, which I get. She’s been in love with him for years. But Holly left with her family before I could get to her, and now she won’t even answer my calls…I…”

“I don’t know how I raised a son to be so completely blind and stupid,” my father states abruptly, shoving to his feet.

I’m taken aback by the vehemence in his tone. “They’re not…”

“If you finish that sentence with ‘her problem,’ I might smack you upside the head just like I used to do as a little kid. Son, wake up and realize what everyone else has. You’re falling for Holly Freeman. For Christ’s sake, that’s why Eden and Seth attacked you. And Holly’s doing the same. That’s why she’s pulling back. She cares about you enough to not stand in the way of your happiness even though she’s somehow managed to heal you.”

I absorb the impact of my father’s words. Falling back, I stumble back to the chair again. “But, she said she was single by choice,” I manage to get out.

“Probably because none of the other ass clowns she was dating before ever managed to get to her. Somehow—and right now I have no idea how that’s possible—you did.”

“Pop—” My voice is broken. “She won’t talk to me. I can’t even get through to explain.”

His fist comes down hard on his desk. “When you were training to take down a wall of flame, did you give up?”

Listlessly, I shake my head no.

“When Mary died, I know you wanted to give in. Did you? Did you walk out on your family? On Grace?”

“Hell no,” I spit at him.

“Then why would you give up before you even try to fight for Holly? You find her, you make her listen, and then you hold on as tight as you can to her for as long as you have the chance. You never—I mean never—give up on someone you can’t go a day without.”

“A day? Try an hour; maybe a minute.”

“Then you’re more of a fool than I thought. Now get the hell out of my office.” He begins to fiddle with papers on his desk.

I stand up, but before I leave, I ask, “Pop?”

He lifts his head.

“What do I do if she still wants to walk away?” I voice my biggest fear aloud.

He lets out a huge sigh and comes around the desk. Clasping me on the shoulder, he mutters, “Stop worrying about what’s going to go wrong, son. That’s no way to live. There’s going to be pain and heartbreak; we both know that. But to live, you have to find joy in life. For you, that’s our family, Grace, and now Holly. You have to focus on everything that makes the world beautiful so when you have those nights where the dark is only lit up by the monster, you have the strength to fight the bitch back.”

I nod, unable to speak.

“You’re allowed doubt, but never give up. I’m just sorry to say, it looks like you gave up on your woman at absolutely the wrong time.”

I close my eyes on his words of wisdom that cause a shaft of pain through my already battered heart.

“Thanks, Pop,” I choke out before I open the door.

I need to call someone who might be able to help me like she did once before.

* * *

“Mr. Bianco,what a surprise. What can I help you with today?” Ali’s voice comes through the line. Only this time, it’s as cold as an iceberg.

I wince. I bought this and everything else the Freemans are ready to throw at me. “Ali, if I could talk with you for just a moment…”

“I’m afraid I don’t have much time. Is there a question about next year’s 5K? “

“Ali…”

“We really won’t start planning for that until the fall.”