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Dad stopped me before I shut the bathroom door. “Hon, I think you might need this.” He appeared in the hallway with a fluffy pink towel in hand, my favorite pink towel.
“Thank you, Dad. I can’t believe you kept this. And…” I hesitated, “thanks for not giving me too much crap about my whole mess,” I huffed out defeated, and I felt my tears building up, but before my dad could notice, I slammed the door shut. “Sorry,” I muttered under my breath as my shoulders shook. My back slid against the door as I fell to the ground. A nauseous wave slapped my stomach.
It was quiet for a couple moments, but a gentle knock at the door hushed my silent sobs that carried on underneath my covered face. “You know, hon, you can talk to me about anything. I know I’m not even close to how great your mom was. She was always the better communicator between the two of us. All I knew how to do was spoil you with gifts or chocolate if you were upset. Not her, she was the tough one and always knew what to say.” Dad’s warm voice was soft, his tone desperate in the navigation to hear my smile. He tried his best, probably sensing the ambiguous tension that laid in our presence. "But just know that I’m here for you.” I fucking lost it. I hugged my knees tightly and wished away my overzealous emotions as I rocked back and forth on the cold floor.
My heart beat slowed as I processed all of tonight’s events. Between my failing relationship and who I was, began to tear away at my heart. My head hung low as I attempted to compose myself.
“Thanks,” I sniffled all over my sleeve. Oh well, at least it was in dire need of a cleaning after tonight. “I love you.” I whispered, barely audible.
7
Julia
Iawoke the following morning, drool on my cheek as usual, especially since I drank what felt like half the bar last night. Robbie was at the very edge of the bed, the furthest he could be from me; the damn bastard even placed a body pillow in between us. If I moved any type of muscle—even yawned—he’d be on his ass on the floor. How tempting, but I opted to play with his hair to wake him up. I mussed his short hair, but he swatted at me.
“Why are you waking me up?” He said in a sharp tone, shaking his head. His eyes still shut, swatting at the air.
“Jesus, you’d think you were the one with a hangover.” I rolled back over to stand up. “You used to like when I’d wake you up like that.”
A moment of silence passed before he sighed loudly. He buried his face into the pillow before he laid up to talk. “Hey, I know I have been a little rough since last night. I’m sorry.” Robbie stretched out toward me, planting a sweet and delicate kiss on my lips. “Just seeing you with Eve there, I didn’t like it. I don’t like her at all.” He extended his arm and without any further thought my body radiated to the comfort of his snuggles that I’ve missed.
While he brushed my arms with a light touch of his fingertips, a knot in my throat formed. I felt like a fool over my actions last night. I’d never be able to confess them, but maybe there was hope for us to go back to our past days.
Truth was, Robbie had done a lot for me, and if he was a grouch for a while, I was strong enough to take that anger on. It was only a phase that would soon dissipate, I just knew it, at least that’s what I liked to tell myself.
I waved my hand dismissively as I leaped out of bed and into a furry pink sweater. The complete opposite of my sexy outfit from last night. “Get ready, we’re going out for breakfast with my dad.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” He squinted as I swiped the comforter off of him to make the bed. He groaned loudly as if the world was coming to an end. He pinched his face awake as he stretched.
“I don’t want to argue with you right now, just get ready. Meet me in the living room.” I fled before he could get in another word.
It took Robbie thirty minutes to get ready, which was more than likely done out of spite, but afterwards we finally made it to my dad’s favorite breakfast nook. Actually, it was my favorite, he decided he loved it after I obsessed over their strawberry crepes.
The Plump Pig was my favorite diner in town. Walking in gave me instant nostalgia, as they hadn’t changed the yellow and brown tile since I was a kid. I could see that my favorite booth was open, tucked away in the corner next to the largest window. This table would catch the morning light that fell through the large tree outside, illuminating the steam of hot coffee in a particular way that I loved.
I usually enjoyed eating here, and I still did, but this time was dampened by the company of grumpy men. God, I wanted to fork my eyes out. Dad chomped on his food staring right at me and only conversing with me, while Robbie leaned back into his chair to exclude himself.
Finally, Dad broke the silence among us.
“So, Robbie, what do you plan on providing for my daughter? You know ya’ll are married?” He asked, elbows firmly on the table, his fingers a steeple for his lips.
He huffed out loud like a stubborn horse. Waiting to buck. “I’ve already done everything for her. Hasn’t she told you?” His matter-of-fact response was met by an unimpressed stare by Dad. He did not care for city folk. “We have a penthouse, thanks to my work. Plus, we’re over fifty stories in the sky. Julia loves the view we have. Life couldn’t be better for her, Mike.” The man was full of pride and shit. Mainly shit, but I rolled my eyes pretending I didn’t hear it. “Julia’s only able to work at her dream job because of me. Julia has a lot to be grateful for, and it starts with me.” Asshole. I’d hardly call The City Times my dream job. A step in the right direction is what he provided me, however, New York Prestige Magazine is where I’d love to be. Seventy-six floors in the air, glamor, sex columns—the whole shebang. One day, I’d make it there, I just needed to get through this shit.
“Those are just objects and titles you’re listing. What have you done for my daughter that money can’t buy? Frankly, I haven’t heard too much.” Dad was letting his pancakes get cold, so I knew this was serious. “Maybe that penthouse in the sky has ya’ll oxygen deprived. Julia, I just want to know that you are ready to be married, and I’ll back off.” His southern accent was deep and stern.
“Enough you two,” I waved my hands in front of their faces. “I’m here to enjoy my time with you both. It’s breakfast! My favorite time of the day and you’re both just… ugh.”
Both men straightened up and Dad leaned in closer toward me. His eyes stiffened, purely fixated on me as he began to inquire. “One more thing, hon, and then I’ll drop it. This old dog can sniff out when something is afoot. Call me crazy, but, Julia, you seemed just as surprised by Robbie being with you last night as I was with both of ya’ll being at my door. Now tell me the truth, did you invite him along on this trip?” Dad asked, his inquisitive glare created creases around his eyes. I couldn’t fault him for feeling this way. I was sure my dramatics the night before didn’t help, but I wasn’t sure how to answer his questions truthfully without raising any suspicion. Instead, I evaded them.
“Well…” I began.
“I wanted to surprise Julia.” Robbie cut in. “I’ve been hard at work lately and haven’t spent enough time with my bride. It only seemed right to fly down and surprise her last night. You know, at the bar she was at.”
I gulped. Oh god, my heart fluttered, matching my jittering knee beneath the table. Was he going to say something I’d regret? I felt like I was on the brink of being discovered.
“It wasn’t hard to guess her and Eve hit the bar. What else is there to do but drink and watch TV around here?” My dad chuckled, a gleam in his eye sparkled at my expense, but that was ok.
I laughed along too. “Yeah, we were having a good time. Thanks for lightening the mood.” His warm smile lifted my spirits instantly. “I’ll be right back. Try not to kill one another while I’m gone. For me? Please?” I shook my head at Dad as I squeezed his shoulder. He nodded me on. I was headed toward the bathroom when my phone suddenly vibrated in my coat pocket. I slipped it out to see it was an unknown number sending a text message.
