Page 69 of #Lovestrong

Lena

Airplanes aren't my thing, and I couldn't be happier to be walking through the airport looking for my dad. Declan and I find him standing near the baggage claim with his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning the crowd. A month away from my dad feels like a year, and I'm elated to see him.

"Dad!"

He turns from side to side, but I'm hidden in the sea of people moving in that direction. His eyes find something behind me and he smiles and waves. I glance over my shoulder to Declan, grinning and waving back. Well, that's perfect for my boyfriend being over six foot. No one loses him in the crowd.

As soon as we get to my father, he sweeps me up in a hug. As he sets me down, Declan's phone rings and he turns away to answer it. My dad and I start catching up on the last month as we turn and watch the conveyor belt for mine and Declan's luggage.

"How was your layover," Dad asks as his eyes scan the rotating luggage.

"It was okay. Luckily, we didn't have to wait. Off and back on." I take a step forward to grab my large white suitcase just as another hand darts past mine and grabs the handle.

"I got it," Declan says, pulling it off the belt and setting it in front of me. His comes by a second later so he grabs that one too.

"You kids want to stop and get something to eat on the way home?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that, Dad. We can cook once we get home." I try to keep my voice even, but the last thing I want to do is stop at the only real diner in our town, where everyone is bound to be. My only goal for this trip home is to spend a quiet week with my father and see Jaz before we head back to Lakeview for the last few weeks of school before the Christmas break.

"Come on, Punkin'. I haven't got to go out with you in forever." My dad gives me his best puppy dog eyes and I laugh, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

"Fine. Diner?"

"Yep. Declan can try a real man's steak, not that crap they serve out west."

"Hey, hey, now. Let's not knock the west coast," Declan says, chuckling.

The car ride into town is full of laughter, but as soon as we pull into the diner parking lot, which is completely full of cars, my heart drops into my stomach. I haven't seen most of the people in this town in over a year. As much as I don't want to ruin my dad's fun and excitement at us being here, I honestly don't think I'm ready to face these people.

Most of them blamed me for what Peter did, and I doubt they've changed their minds. My dad swings into a spot pretty far from the door, cuts the engine, and hops right out. I stare at the diner like a deer in headlights. What if people freak out at my being home? What if they say nasty things like they did after the shooting? It's taken the better part of a year for me to stop blaming myself.

A sharp tap on the window scares the crap out of me and I jump. My dad opens my door and that's when Declan reaches from his spot behind me to squeeze my shoulder.

"Come on, kiddo. If anyone says a word to bother you, I'll break their face. You can't hide from this town forever," my dad says loudly through the glass.

"Baby," Declan whispers behind me. "We've got this."

I take a deep breath and find comfort in their words. I’m so lucky to be loved by such strong and amazingly supportive people. Unlocking my seatbelt, I exhale and swing the door open. Declan pushes my seat forward and climbs out of the back of the truck. As soon as he stands straight, he grabs me around the waist and pulls me against him.

"We're here to spend time with your dad and see Jaz. To hell with everyone else in this po-dunk town." Declan cups the side of my face and my eyes close as his lips press against my forehead.

The bell hooked to the door chimes as we walk in, and Gail, the owner who's worked here since she was thirteen and bought the place from the original owners when she was twenty-three, looks up from behind the long counter.

She smiles at my dad and he tips his head before walking down the aisle and stopping next to our usual booth. Declan slides in first and I sit next to him, rubbing my hands up and down my jeans, trying to get the sweat off them. My dad sits down across from us and grins at me before sticking his tongue out and scrunching up his face.

I chuckle and then fold my hands together on top of the table. Gail stops at the end of the table a moment later and sets three menus down before leaning over to grab me in a tight hug. She squeezes my body to hers so hard, it's difficult to breathe and really uncomfortable.

"Welcome back, child. It's been too long since I've seen your beautiful face." She finally lets me go and glances from me to Declan with tears in her eyes. "Who's this strapping young man?"

"Gail," my father says with stern approval in his voice. "This is Lena's boyfriend, Declan. He's staying with us for the holiday."

"Well, welcome to Decleburg, honey. What can I get y'all to drink?"

"Water is fine, Ma'am," Declan says.

Gail's eyes widen and she smiles. "Mmm, a young man with manners. I love it. Lena, honey, you want the usual? John?"

We both say "yes" in unison.