Chapter 10 My Girls

The next day , Lemon texts Wade and asks if they could come over around 11.

Zoe's palms were sweaty, she was chewing on her bottom lip. Unsure of what she wanted from Brick or what he would want from her. And maybe more importantly , right now, where would her friendship stand with Lemon.

'You've got this and I am here." as Wade stroked her long hair.

Brick answered the door. "Come in, please. Would you like something to drink?

" No thank you"

She and Wade sat on the wicker loveseat while Lemon and Brick sat on the longer couch.

"Zoe I found out about a year ago. I think your Dad, Ethan Knew for a long time but not sure when he was certain. Your mom called me completely falling apart and told me that she had hid her pregnancy from me. She was engaged to Ethan and they their life all planned out. I was dating Alice. Ethan was never with your mom, always working trying to become the best surgeon in the entire world. I was in New York for a conference. I called to meet up with the two of them but Ethan had back to back surgeries. She cried on my shoulder and we both had a few glasses of wine. We were not drunk but it did loosen us up and one thing led to another." Brick paused and took a sip of water. " When your mom called me to tell me the truth last year, she said the reason she didn't tell me back then was because when she called to tell me, I told her that ALice was pregnant and that we were getting married. In my opinion, she was lost and didn't know what to do. Believe me I am not taking up for her I would have wanted you in my life."

"Why didn't you call me and tell me? Why didn't you want me?

Why am I not good enough? Zoe questioned Brick.

"Well I don't have an answer that makes any sense other than your mom asked me not to. She said you had a life, a good life and you were wanting to follow in Ethan's footsteps and we couldn't crush your dream.

"Dream, dream! It's not a dream, it's a reality because I work hard and talk about a good life … yeah I have a great life full of things but I have not had one single person I could count on since I was 10 years old! Not one person that wanted to put their arms around me and just let me cry."

"Listen, Zoe, I am sorry. Brick said apologetically.

Zoe sighed. " Lemon?"

"Zoe , my momma left me and now my daddy has another daughter the same basic age as me.I raised Magnolia by myself practically. I could have used some help" Lemon sort of chuckled.

"Lemon, we can take things slow. Wade, tell her please."

"Lemon, all she is asking for is the same thing you and I both needed for all of those years. " Wade pleading to Lemon

"I have lost everybody. I can't trust my mom, I don't know Brick, the person I thought was my dad, is too hurt to even look at me. I am just asking for a chance to keep our friendship and maybe one day we could be sisters."

"Zoe Hart you are like a pit bull in a china shop. You just come charging right into Wade's life, then my life and now my daddy's life. You just keep begging people to love you. You don't have to do that anymore. You have Wade and he has more love to give than anyone I know. Both of us been saving our love for the right personal since we were 10 years old. You, Wade and I have lost so much. We don't need to waste time. We are friends and we can work our way towards sisters. And, as for you Daddy, I am extremely disappointed in you. You know right from wrong! Not one thing about not telling Zoe was the right choice! I am not sure if I know you anymore than Zoe does. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some bags to pack."

"Lem,wait," Wade called out. He followed her to her room."Where you goin'?" I called Annabeth this morning and asked if I could stay with her until I go back to college."

"Oh, ok. I love you , you know that , right?" Wade questioned.

"Well you have Zoe to be worry about now so"

"Believe me girl, I know that you two are a handful. It may be like trying to comfort Mt. St Helens and Kilamanjoro but I got my girls."

They hugged for several minutes without either letting go. Wade kissed her on the cheek and returned downstairs to Zoe.

Zoe was standing now, he heard her telling Brick, that she didn't know if she wanted a relationship right now. So much had changed for her in the last weeks. Brick said he understood.

"You ready?" asked Wade

"Yes, thank you for telling me the truth as you know it. I appreciate it. I don't expect anything from you and please don't expect anything from me." Zoe said to Brick,as she and Wade walked out the door.

Brick remained motionless, recalling the events of the past 24 hours.

He knew everyone needed time.

XXXXXXX

The next five days mostly consisted of Wade's family working on the cabin. Wade cooking or grilling. Jesse left and went to see Haley in Tuscaloosa. Zoe and Earl spent hours each day talking. Wade had never seen him like that. He was so drawn to Zoe. Wade loved seeing them together. Earl, to Wade's knowledge, had not had a drink since the night he came home. He wondered how long it would last. He loved "this" Dad.

Zoe called Lemon to see if she and Lavon wanted to come over for a cookout. Zoe and Earl strung lights while Wade prepped the grill.

Jesse and Haley were walking towards the house, hand in hand. Zoe was so excited to see a face that wasn't connected to or involved in her 'daddy' issues. Haley being here would lighten up the conversation.

She was a little apprehensive about seeing Lemon face to face but Wade convinced her that it was time. She and Lemon had texted some over the past few days. They didn't completely avoid the 'daddy' subject but they danced around it. Wade had told Zoe, since there was only 2 days until they all went back to college, she needed to start mending and growing their relationship. "Zoe, just let it happen naturally. There doesn't have to be a big discussion, just enjoy being together."Wade urged her.

Lemon and Lavon arrived, of course Lemon had a butterscotch pie in hand. Wade was grilling steak, chicken and vegetables for fajitas. The guys all standing around with him talking about the food, and the future. Jesse and Lavon were graduating in a few short months. Earl had set up a badminton net and the girls were goofing off.

Wade looked at the girls, his dad, his brother and friends and couldn't help but hope that this was a snapshot of what the future held for all of them. "Ladies, can you all go in and bring out the salad, chips and dip?" asked Wade. They all sat down at the picnic table , Zoe filled their glasses with lemonade. If Earl had not been there , they probably would have had beer and sangria , but they wanted to support Earl and all the progress he made in the last week or so.

Earl proposed a toast, "To my boys, finding happiness and continuing to bring me joy." Earl was getting a little choked up. "Remember that everything you will ever need is within your reach right now."

Zoe had found Earl to be quite insightful, more than she ever imagined by the way Wade had talked about him.

Zoe said. " I would like to say something. I have never truly had a family. I can feel the closeness you three share but also that your family doesn't stop at genetics, Lemon and Lavon are part of your family and I hope I am now too.. I love all of you." Zoe's voice was getting high and breaking up a little. "I just love you all, I do. I really do"

Lemon couldn't take anymore and she was ready to burst. She swung her legs over the picnic bench and hopped up and went to Zoe. Everyone fearing what could happen next. It looked as if Lemon was on a mission. Lemon wrapped her long slender arms around Zoe's shoulders. " Zoe, I don't care how we became sisters, but we are. I tell you, we are like two peas in a pod."

Jesse said, "Yeah, you are like identical twins!"

Everyone snickered.

"Say what you will, Jesse Kinsella, but Zoe and I are so much alike."

"Yeah, neither of you, are dramatic at all." Wade said sarcastically, his mouth forming a crooked grin. "Cheers!" They clinked their lemonade glasses and decided to have a 'friendly' competition of badminton.