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“Why?”
A disgusted chortle floats out, and I shake my head, staring down at my legs. “Her asshole father. He said if I didn’t break up with her that he’d cut her out of their lives.” I wait for him to respond, but he doesn’t. He simply sits there, waiting for me to continue. “I thought he meant money at first, but he meant everything. He said if she stayed with me, she wouldn’t be able to see her own family.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s an arrogant, billionaire prick. He wants to choose who she dates and marries, and eventually has a family with. All of that. He already tried it with this other guy, but when he saw that we were going out … I don’t know. I guess I’m not the kind of guy he wants for her.”
After a moment of silence, he speaks up. “What’d she say?”
“What do you mean?”
“When you told her what her dad is doing? She’s going along with it?”
“What?” I scoff, staring at him like he’s crazy. “No, man. I didn’t tell her.”
“Maddox, why not? She should—”
“No. She shouldn’t. I’m not going to be the one to tell her what kind of ass her father is, while at the same time giving her an ultimatum. No way.”
Derrik’s eyes never leave me, but I can’t return the gaze. I look out over the empty seats once again, the feelings of disgust returning.
“Maddox, she should know.”
“She’s his little girl. I’m not going to destroy that relationship even if it’s a shitty thing he’s doing.”
Derrik shakes his head, finally looking away from me. “You think you’re doing the right thing, and I get that. But I have to tell you, I don’t think you are. None of us ever saw you like you were when you were with her. Happy, unlike any of us had ever seen. I don’t mean the normal happy, I mean something more. Not because of drinks or girls, but because of something that meant something to you. And you want to give all of that up and let her believe her father’s some great person?”
“You don’t get it,” I tell him, my voice low.
After another minute of silence, he finally replies. “You’re right, I don’t. I just hope you’re making the right decision. Not only for her sake, but for yours.”
