“And you, Whitney. I can’t imagine you’re going to leave him now so I don’t know what kind of relationship this allows you and I to have.” My heart thumps painfully as a flash of a life without my father appears in front of me. “You’re my daughter and I will always love you, and I’ll always be there if you need me but I don’t support this and I won’t be around… this.” He says pointing at us.

“I’m in love with him, Dad. I know it’s hard to wrap your brain around but he’s the love of my life. I can give you time to…”

“Time to what? Get on board with this?” He scoffs. “Grow up, Whitney. You both just destroyed this family.” He shakes his head. “I hope this was all fucking worth it.” He storms out of the room and up the stairs and I can hear the door open and close with the same force of my mother’s slam.

I turn to Jacob and I’m in his arms instantly, sobbing into his chest. “Shh, I’ve got you. Baby, I’m sorry. I am so so sorry,” he whispers in my ear before he presses his lips to my temple and I cry even harder that he’s the one comforting me when he got the brunt of their anger.

“Don’t apologize. I’m sorry. Do you hate me?” I hiccup as I look up at him. I can barely see him through my tears that I can tell he’s trying to brush away.

“Never,” he whispers against my forehead. “Do you hear me? This is not your fault.”

I frown and look up at him. “It’s not yours either,” I whisper and I realize that Chloe and Mason are probably still in the room but when I turn toward them, I only see Chloe who’s got tears in her eyes. “Where’s Mason?”

“He followed Uncle Kevin.” She wipes under her eyes. “I think I’m going to head out. I… would advise you guys to do the same for now?”

I nod in agreement knowing I do not want to be here whenever my parents emerge from their bedroom. “Thank you for coming and… I’m sorry about what my dad said.” I wince.

“He was angry and… we have talked each other into doing a lot of crazy shit over the years. He doesn’t know all the trouble I’ve gotten you into too.” She smiles but I know what he said stings because Chloe has proven time and time again that she’d follow me over a cliff every time.

“You drive here?” Jacob asks and I can sense his worry that maybe she shouldn’t be driving.