25
“Did my dad freak out?” Holly asked in a small voice. Cassie sat back down next to her on the beach-grass-covered dunes. Holly’s bike lay nearby, along with her school backpack.
“He’ll be fine. He says he’ll pick you up tomorrow. You can stay with me tonight.”
“I’m just so embarrassed,” Holly wailed. “I want to tell him, but I’m afraid to. I’m still afraid to tell you. He’s going to be so disappointed in me.”
“Oh sweetie. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Your father loves you.”
“But you don’t understand. He’s always worried I’ll turn out like my mom. He doesn’t say it, but I know he thinks it. He has really high standards about some things. He’s like, kind of old-fashioned. He always expects the best. It’s so annoying.”
“Listen, Holly. Kevin knows what it’s like to be young. He w
