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She studies me. “What went wrong between you two?”
I sigh. Where do I start? There is so much wrong with our relationship that it’s ridiculous. The worst thing is I feel like I should just grow a pair and let it all go. Move on. But I can’t bring myself to forgive him. Saying it aloud to Jill will only confirm that.
“We’d never been close.” I shrug. “Then he cheated on Mom, which sent her into a nervous breakdown. It took her years to recover.” I pause. “The kind man you know is not the same man I grew up with, and I was left to clean up his mess.”
I lean over and tilt her head, pressing my lips against hers. I know how much she likes and respects my dad, and I refuse to ruin that for her, regardless of how I feel.
“Wow, you guys have been through a lot,” she says.
“That’s one way of putting it,” I retort. I roll over and face her, determined to change the subject off my father. The more we talk about him the more chance there is I’ll say something I might regret. “So, what are your plans tonight?”
She rolls her eyes. “I kind of got roped into a party.”
“You at a party?” I grin, my eyes twinkling. “Have you ever even been to a high school party?”
“Of course I have.” She laughs. “I just find them boring. Everyone ends up drunk and passed out.”
“That’s half the fun.” I smirk, thinking back to my own high school days.
“Ugh. I’d much rather be at home reading a book.” She groans and I laugh.
“Then why don’t you?”
I don’t want to admit it, but I hate the thought of her at a party because I know what teenage boys are like—especially drunk ones. She’s a pretty girl, and I’ve seen the attention she gets, even if she doesn’t notice the way guys look at her.
“Because I promised Sophia I’d go. She’s in one of my classes. French exchange student,” she explains, noting my blank expression. “She texted me last night, begging for me to come with her.”
“You’re making friends. That’s good.”
She shrugs. “I don’t need friends. I have Alice. And you. But she is nice
, and I feel bad for her. It must be hard being away from her family and friends.”
“Does she remind you a little bit of you?” I ask.
She laughs. “I guess she makes me realize how much I miss my father. Look at you, psychoanalyzing me.”
“Yeah, because I’m in the position to be giving advice.” I laugh. “After I see Dad I might stop off and see a friend.”
“Oh?” she asks, raising her eyebrows. “The same friend you’ve spoken to about us?”
I chuckle, enjoying her jealousy. “My best friend, Danny. He’s in Denver for a few weeks for the holidays. He’s really cool. Loads of fun. I think you two will get along great.”
“Well, have fun.” She grins. Her eyes sparkle as she leans in to kiss me.
I pull her into my lap and she laughs, her arms wrapping around my bare waist.
“You have to let me go, unless you want my mother sending out a search party.”
“No, I don’t want that. Are you sure I can’t drive you?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, I have Mom’s car.”
I kiss her roughly as color shades her cheeks.
“Wow, you play rough, Mr. Anderson.”
“I told you not to call me that,” I growl, my hand sliding under her shirt. “Don’t make me punish you.”
