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He lays still, eyes closed. Dad knows what comes next, and I think he sees it as punishment for his sins against the family. Maybe that’s why he refused to go to the hospital. Maybe he feels things will just be easier if he stays here until his time comes. Staying in the hospital would only prolong the inevitable, but it would give my mom and sister a chance to see him one last time.
With a tightness in my chest, I grab my leather jacket and pull it on. I shut off all of the lights, leaving only the bathroom light on. There aren’t any windows in there, so I leave the door open a crack. Nobody will be able to see the light from outside, and Dad will be able to see if he needs to get up for any reason. I take one more long look at him on the couch before I open the back door.
Twenty-four hours ago, I’d have never guessed a lot of things would have happened. But most of all, I’d have never thought I’d actually want to keep my father alive. He’s pulled a lot of shit over the years, so finding out about his betrayal didn’t really shock me.
Sad to say.
But the desire to help him…that shocked the hell out of me. Never in my life did I think I’d ever want to do anything for him after he’d been such a bastard.
But he’s still my father. He may be a selfish and ruthless prick, but I think he realizes all the damage he’s done over the years. And he’s sorry for it, making up for it in his own twisted way.
I hate that I’ve always needed his approval, but now I finally have it. I got my closure. And I think he got some as well.
It’s a fucked-up dynamic, this thing between me and my dad. But even after all he put me through, I still forgive him. I don’t want to carry this anger around with me forever. I did the right thing, helped him when he needed it most.
I don’t want to give up on him. Not now.
And I don’t want to see him give up, either. I’ll figure out how to nail the Bonnaros and that’ll fix things with Nico and save my dad.
Yeah, I’m gonna keep saying that to myself. Maybe at one point I’ll actually start to believe it all.
I pull the door closed behind me and twist the key in the lock. I peer around me, in the shadows surrounding my backyard. Anyone could be lurking, just waiting for me to leave. They have to know Dad is inside.
I can only hope Nico would give me a heads-up if he put out a hit.
I wouldn’t blame him.
But I would still hate him for it.
I sidestep patches of black ice on my driveway and climb into my truck, gunning the engine. I peel out of the driveway and head in the direction of Sloane’s house, praying her dad isn’t sitting outside her door with a shotgun in his hands.
He’s already given me a warning.
And I’m ignoring it.
If he blows off my cock at some point, it’ll be my own fault.
I weave my way through side streets, trying to figure out what I’m even going to say to her when I show up on her doorstep again. The streets are still slippery from all of the sleet that’s freezing from the drop in temperature, and even though I want to get to her as quickly as possible, I’d like to actually make it there in one piece.
Last night, I didn’t think that would even be a possibility.
But here we are.
I slow to a stop around the corner from her house, just in case her dad has the urge to take a brisk walk outside to find my big ass truck sitting in front of his house. I hop out of the driver’s seat and jog to her front door, the rubber soles of my sneakers making me slip and slide each step of the way.
So long as I don’t break anything, I’m good. Something tells me I’m going to need full use of all limbs over the next couple of days.
I climb the steps and knock three times, still a little out of breath from my impromptu run. I bounce on my toes, pulling my jacket tighter around me since I didn’t bother to zip it. Finally, the door opens, and Sloane narrows her eyes at me, one hand on her hip. “I was about to tell you not to come.”
“Again?” I shiver, fidgeting around to shift the cold blasts of air assaulting me. “Should I go? I parked around the corner so your dad doesn’t know to come after me with a machete.”
“Fuck you!” She widens the door and pulls me inside, shoving me once I’m standing in front of her.
Wow. I’ve never heard a word stronger than hell come from her beautiful lips. I can honestly say I have no idea how to navigate this situation right now, so I keep my mouth shut and just let her go. I at least owe her that.
“I hate you, do you know that?” She shoves me again, this time with her hands. “I hate that I gave you this…this power over me! To make me feel things that clearly aren’t real and to wish for things that can never fucking become reality!”
I swallow hard, tiny beads of sweat forming on the back of my neck. “Sloane, I don’t blame—”
