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Hours later, we’ve killed a box of pizza and both bottles of wine. I’ve relented to admitting I love the windows and Angelina has convinced me to give her dad a second chance.
“I was always going to go back, Ang. I just have to make him understand he can’t take over.”
“He’s always going to take over. That’s his nature, not his age.”
She pauses for a moment, and I feel like she has more to say. “What? We’ve never kept secrets. Tell me.”
She sighs and sits back. “I should let him tell you this, but I’m not sure he’d ever bring it up. And you need to understand a bit more of where he’s coming from.”
I get a little nervous until she starts speaking again. “My dad had a sister, but she passed away when they were teenagers.”
“Oh, Ang! I never knew that!”
“I don’t ever talk about it, because it’s just not a part of my life. I never knew her and dad doesn’t talk much about her so I don’t know how to feel about it, you know? Like, I’m sad for him, for losing someone so close to him, but I don’t understand it. I can have sympathy, but he blocks it out, so I’ve never questioned him.”
“Do you know what happened?”
“She was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The police arrested no one and let the case die. My dad was only fourteen, but from what my grandma tells me, that’s what pushed him to join the police academy. She told me he couldn’t understand how someone took an oath to do right by others, yet didn’t follow through.”
Remembering the way he got mad at me for walking home and insisting Cash pick me up for work makes sense now. The way he watches me and always calls on nights I’m not staying at his house shows his concern. But is he only showing concern because he’s trying to erase the trauma? Or does he genuinely want me?
When I’m silent for too long, Angelina speaks up. “Get out of your head right now, D. I know what you’re thinking and it’s not like that.”
“What am I thinking?”
“You’re thinking his childhood trauma is what’s driving your relationship.” Narrowing my eyes at her smug grin, she leans back against the couch and empties her wine glass. “See? I’m right. And you’re wrong. Yes, her death has impacted the way he carries himself, but he’s always been this guy. He’s always wanted to handle things and be in charge. I hate to break it to you, but you’re not different in that respect.”
She’s still got that smug look. She knows what she’s doing. “But how you differ from everyone else is the way you make him smile now.”
“Sex makes everyone smile.”
She shakes her head at me. “Stop deflecting.” She stands, gathering the empty pizza box and empty bottles. I follow with our own empty glasses. “You’re good for him, and he’s good for you. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about your age gap. I don’t care what anyone thinks about you being my best friend and dating my dad. You’re both the happiest I’ve seen in years and that’s all I care about. So, get your head out of your ass, get over the window debacle, and let him do what he’s going to do.”
“What would I do without you?”
“You’d be eating pizza alone, looking out filthy windows.”
We laugh and hug. “I love you, girl. Thank you for coming over tonight. It’s just what I needed.”
“I know it is. Now, lock up, keep a light on, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Yes, mom.” She sticks her tongue out at my cheeky reply and lets herself out. I watch to make sure she gets into her car safely and when she pulls away from my home, I lock the door and head upstairs, replaying last night’s events over and over again.
Leaving Vince at the bar was tough. I wanted to go home with him. I wanted to be wrapped in his arms, but I needed to take a stand as well. He can’t just dictate what goes on and he can’t make decisions without me. Especially ones that are incredibly important to me.
But hearing Angelina talk about his sister, I understand more of why he does what he does. A terrible accident like that changes a person. It could have made him bitter and nasty, not giving a shit about anyone. But instead, it made him into a strong, dependable, maybe a bit authoritative, good man.
I’ll take one of those any day.
His words about my neighborhood filled my mind, and when I finally turned off the lights and laid down in bed, the silence on the street bothered me. The lack of a beating heart and quiet breaths next to me had my body tense. I had the sudden urge to jump in my car and drive to his house, needing his warmth to soothe me. I didn’t know if it was just me missing him, or if there really was something strange about the area.
Then I swore I heard a noise outside. I lay perfectly still, heart beating so loudly in my chest that if someone was out there, they’d know exactly where to find me. I reached for my phone, holding it close, fighting the need to call Vince.
“Just relax, Daisy.” I talked myself down from a panic attack. Then talked myself into being mad at Vince again. All his chatter about this being a bad neighborhood has me feeling it now. The wind picked up and a few branches brush the side window. I turn and see shadows, assuming it’s the trees dancing in the wind.
I hear a car door slam and voices. Then a front door creaks and slams shut.
