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I pull the helmet off and stare at the newness of this place.
“Is this it?” I grab his arm as I get off the bike. It took like ten minutes. Ten minutes is how far away my dad is from me. Hot tears sting my eyes already. I grab ahold of Jason’s strong, tan hand as he guides me through the large sliding glass doors. A girl with dark brown hair and glasses is at the front desk. Her eyes widen as we approach.
“Hey Blade, welcome back.” She smiles at Jason and here comes the nausea again.
“Don’t tell me—Ashley, right?” Jason grins and my hand tightens on his. He looks down at me.
“Yes, that’s me.” She rubs her hands on her dress. Visions of me punching her dance in my head. She glances over at me, and her smile promptly fades as her gaze follows down to our hands.
She clears her throat. “Go ahead and sign in.”
Jason lets go of my hand as he quickly signs his name. It’s hard to ignore the way my heart is pounding. My cheeks are likely flushed.
“Ashley, this is my girlfriend Eve. She’s James’s daughter.” I look over at the girl who sits up and pushes her glasses back.
“Oh, he’ll be so happy to see you. He talks about you and your brother all the time.”
“Thanks,” I croak, feeling like a bitch. This girl is actually nice and she likes my dad. God, what is wrong with me today?
Jason places his hand at the base of my back as he guides me toward a door. Glancing around, I smile at how pretty and peaceful this place is. It’s all cream and celery-green walls along with hardwood floors. Large coffee-colored leather chairs sit by a fireplace.
“Thanks, Ash,” he says over his shoulder. I’m in shock at how clean and homey this place looks. As we walk down the hallway, I notice pictures of what I’m assuming are staff on one wall and flowers and landscapes on the other.
We stop at room 104 where Jason knocks and swings open the door. And there’s my beloved father sitting in a shiny new scooter-type chair with his oxygen tanks strapped to the back. He’s dressed in dark slacks and a navy sweater, and for a second, I have to blink to make sure it’s him. I look down at my dark jeans with their designer-cut holes and my bright mauve T-shirt that shows off a slight bit of my flat tummy and wish I had worn a dress or something. Even with his oxygen tube, he looks so clean and elegant I can’t help but let a sob out as I run to him. For a moment, he jumps in his seat. His thin shoulders are caved in as he sits hunched over. I stop and let him whirl his scooter around.
“Evie?” His once-strong voice is gone now and nothing but a hiss.
I nod. “It’s me, Daddy.” I lean over to hug him, vaguely aware that I’m sobbing on his downy-fresh sweater.
I pull back to look him in the eyes. “I’m here, it’s me.” He wheezes and starts to cough, his thin body shaking.
“Oh my God, Jason.” I look over at him for help. He stands watching us, his eyes alert.
“James? Do you need a nurse?” My father straightens up and waves away the offer. He watches me. I drop my hand, and I guess reach for Jason. I feel like a bad teenager who stayed out past her curfew.
“Daddy, I think you need more oxygen.” I reach for his cold hand, which makes him look like he’s eighty when he hasn’t even made it to fifty. He pulls out a smartphone from a small pouch to his right and adjusts the oxygen. Jason has done all of this. My eyes are blurry with tears and when I look up at him, it’s hard to see him. But he wasn’t lying. My dad has been getting the best care and it doesn’t matter that Jason’s a bad guy. I don’t care that he may even kill people. All that matters is he’s mine.
“You brought me my baby girl,” he hisses out.
I rub his hand trying to get him to focus on me. He’s wheezing and his eyes are watering, but his hand squeezes mine. “Oh, Daddy, I missed you. Is there… do you need anything?”
“I need to take care of some things. I’ll be back.” Jason reaches for me and I hesitate. It’s one thing to kiss in front of disgusting bikers and another with my father in the room.
“Eve?” I look up at him then my dad who looks confused.
“Angel, your father’s not stupid. He knows I fuck you.” I freeze. Holy shit he did not just say that, did he?
“I need to make some phone calls. I’ll let you two catch up.” I stand and nod.
