Taylor cried when Dad picked her up. I felt her pain. I thought I'd have at least a couple of days to prepare for this...him, but he showed up bright and early the next day.

The tension in the house was thick and suffocating. Mom stood awkwardly in the doorway leading to the kitchen while Dad didn't step pass the foyer. My parents barely made eye contact or spoke to each other.

My suitcase was packed and ready to go. The sooner we left, the sooner I could get back. Dad mistook my eagerness to leave as excitement.

"You're gonna love San Francisco," he said, smiling wide. Taylor looked like him. They both had square heads and smiled so big they showed off their gums. It was cute when my sister did it. Dad's smile made me want to roll my eyes. What was he happy about?

"You're still on punishment." Mom broke her silence to let my dad know that I basically wasn't allowed to enjoy the trip.

No phone. No laptop. No Nolan. Wait...San Francisco?

"I thought you were in Ohio?"

"Only for a few months to look over the merger," he explained. "I thought I told you that?"

I shrugged, not even bothering to try and remember him telling me about his living situation. But knowing he was only a five hour drive away made things a hundred times worse. He was in the same state and has only made a handful of half-assed attempts to reach out.

I shot Mom a pleading look which she ignored as she handed Dad Taylor's tiny suitcase and diaper bag. "I'll see you girls in a few days."

She kissed Taylor's head and gave me a brief hug before practically pushing us out the door. How was I supposed to stay sane for the next five hours? For the next week?

We loaded everything into the trunk of Dad's Infiniti and got Taylor situated in her car seat. When I opened the passenger side door there was rectangular box on the seat wrapped in festive paper.

"An early Christmas gift," he informed me.

I picked it up, all but throwing it in the backseat. "Thanks," I muttered as I climbed into the seat.

Dad let our a sigh before getting into the car. We waved one last time to Mom before pulling off. I put my head phones in, prepared to sleep through the drive. Dad wanted to play catch-up though.

"How's school?"

"Good."

"How about those college applications? I know how stressful the essays can be."

"Good. Everything's great."

He heaved another sigh, frustrated with my dry replies. It got him to stop talking though. Unfortunately, Taylor started to scream at the top of her lungs.

Me too, little sister.

* * *

Dad lived in a house with a long, circular driveway, perfectly manicure lawn and a view of the ocean. I hated how much I loved it. I hated how I pictured us all being there lounging on the deck on lazy Sundays while looking out at the water, having breakfast in the spacious kitchen, crowded around the fireplace in our pajamas on Christmas morning.

He didn't want us there with him, though. At least not all of us.

"I can't believe she's walking already." Dad watched Taylor waddle through her new surroundings with a look of pride on his face. "I remember your first steps. You were determined to get to my hot wings." He laughed.

I pretended to be interested in the extravagant tree that was in the corner, gifts piled high around it. About half of the gifts were wrapped in the same paper as the last one from the car, which was now stuffed in my purse.

"Your room is right upstairs," he said, walking towards the staircase and scooping Taylor up in the process. I followed behind them. "You have your own bathroom and mini fridge, so you don't have to leave your room if you don't want to." He said it as a joke, but I intended on doing just that.

He opened the second door on the left, stepping aside to let me through. The room looked like something straight off of the Dormify website. Everything was grey, pink or white. I hated how comfortable the bed looked. And how there was a balcony that allowed me to look out over the beach. How was I supposed to be miserable with that view?

"I know that look." I turned, thinking he was talking to me. He was talking about Taylor and I recognized the look as well.

"I can change her."

When I reached for her Dad pulled away. "I know how to change a diaper. You can find something to order for dinner. Whatever you want," he said as he and Taylor disappeared into the room next to mine.

I shut the bedroom door, reaching into my purse for my phone to text Bee before realizing Dad had it. Instead I pulled out the gift, shaking it a few times as I dropped down on the bed. It didn't sound like much. I ripped the paper off revealing a set of watercolor markers. He actually remembered. I'd asked about them so long ago. I caught myself before I smiled. I couldn't be bought.

* * *

Eating pizza in a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a home style magazine felt wrong. We should be having a five course meal on these fancy plates, not staining them with grease. Dad didn't seem to care, though. It was obvious he didn't decorate his home. His idea of decorating involved football memorabilia.

"So, Jade, how's Deshaun been?"

It was probably bad that I had to think for a bit to put a face to the name. I hadn't thought about him in weeks. Ever since I called him out on being a coward he hadn't bothered me. And I was completely fine with that. Bringing him up now only made me think of Nolan and how it'd be impossible for me to forget him. Ever.

I took a long sip of my soda. "How's your secretary?"

Dad stared at me, a slice of pineapple and chicken pizza hanging in the air. "Excuse me?"

"That's why you left, right?"

He looked offended, hurt. Good. "Why would you think that?"

"It's true, right? Why else would you leave Mom?"

"That's not why I left," he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Your mom and I...it was like our relationship was on fast forward. We moved into together after two months, got pregnant with you three months later. A lot happened in less than year. We were young and in love. But—"

"But after seventeen years you changed your mind?" My voice was harsh and thick with emotions. A lump rose in my throat. I swallowed it down. "Can I go to my room?"

He looked like he had more to say. Thinking better of it, he excused me from the table.

* * *

After a long shower I no longer had the urge to cry. It was only eight and I was too awake to sleep. All I wanted to do was call Bee to fill her in on my current situation, but every time I reached for my phone I remembered I didn't have it.

To keep my hands busy I pulled out the small box Nolan made for his mom and the paints I brought with me. I hoped to have it finished before Christmas. Maybe I could get Dad to express ship it to them.

I'd painted half the lid when there was a knock at the door. It was small and sounded more like someone slapping the door. Taylor.

When I opened the door she stumbled in, reaching her arms up to me. She had that baby smell I loved, fresh from a bath. Dad was right behind her.

"We just wanted to say goodnight," he said.

Taylor protested the idea of sleep, hugging my neck like I'd save her from it. I smiled, hugging her closer.

"I know I'm not supposed to give you this," he said, holding out my phone and the charger. "But I won't tell if you won't. You only get an hour, though."

I knew he was just trying to get on my good side, but I didn't care. I just needed to talk to someone who wasn't him. He took Taylor and I took my phone. Taylor began whining as Dad took her into her room.

Closing the door, I stepped out onto the balcony and called Bee. She picked up on the fourth ring.

"You calling to apologized for not coming over last night?"

Shit. "Bee, I completely forgot. My mom found out about daycare and the job. I'm at my dad's house right now."

"Excuses, excuses," she joked. "No, but seriously? You're in Ohio right now?"

"No, San Francisco." I watched the ocean in the distance as I filled her in one what's happened the last twenty-four hours. Well, almost everything. I wanted to keep what happened with Nolan and I to myself a little longer.

Before I knew it Dad was texting me, letting me know my hour was up. I found him in his study where he was looking over a stack of files and holding a sleeping Taylor. I had to admit the sight was adorable.

"She wouldn't let me put her down," he whispered.

I set my phone on his desk. "Want me to—"

"No, I'll put her in her crib in a little." I nodded and started for the door. "Jade, I know you're only here as part of your punishment, which I'm trying not to be offended by, but I'm glad you're here."

"Okay." That was all I managed to get out before retreating back to my room. What else was I supposed to say to the man who left my mom to suffer while lived without a care in the world?