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“You better hurry, Peach.” He changed the subject. “There’s no need to keep them waiting any longer.”
“Are we okay?”
He nodded.
After I was dressed, I grabbed my purse and kissed him.
“Drive safe, all right?’
“I will.”
I pecked him one last time, darting out the door, desperately trying to ignore the concerned expression on his face. Despite him weighing heavy on my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about what my family must have gone through all night.
I usually love that Hayes lives almost an hour away from me, but that morning, it was the complete opposite. It felt as if I drove for five hundred hours until finally, I was parking my car in the driveway.
“Shit!” I hollered, immediately noticing the cop cars parked there too.
It didn’t surprise me. Daddy had connections in our town. I barely had time to register what was about to happen as I sprinted toward the front door. As soon as I stepped on the porch stairs, the door flew open, revealing my dad.
“Thank God,” he exasperated, pulling me into his arms.
The way he tightly hugged me was consuming. Making me feel like shit, more than I already did. Only reminding me of the last time he embraced me like this. My brothers followed suit, tugging me into their arms.
“Haven,” one of the cops announced, bringing my attention over to him.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve put your family through?”
“I can only imagine. I didn’t realize my text hadn’t gone through until I saw the note that Jace left on Cove’s car.”
Jace scoffed, “That girl is no good.”
“That’s not fair. It’s not her fault we lost our phones.”
“Where were you?” Alexander questioned.
“I thought you had to go fly back to LA? What are you doing here?”
“What do you think, Teeny? I couldn’t leave knowing you were nowhere to be found.”
“What about your movie?”
“Don’t worry about that. They can’t start filming without me.”
Alexander was an actor. His breakthrough role was three years ago. He was the same age as Hayes and already accomplished so much for himself.
“I’m so sorry everyone. Cove and I went to watch Life of Debauchery’s Concert in Rock Springs. I texted, but the place was packed and the WIFI must have been bad. I guess it didn’t send.”
Reid nodded at me. “Where’s your phone?”
“We jumped in the mosh pit and we lost them.”
“That’s awfully convenient,” Jace insinuated.
“We didn’t feel like driving back, so we stayed at a nearby hotel. I didn’t mean to make you all scared that something happened to me. I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll never do it again.”
I could see it in their eyes, they didn’t believe me.
Shit.
Although Dad’s gaze was a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity.
“At least you’re home now,” another officer chimed in. “It could’ve been way worse.”
“Thanks, Doug.” Dad shook his hand. “I appreciate you not waiting the twenty-four hours.”
“No problem.”
Once they left, I repeated, “I don’t know what else I can say other than I’m sorry.”
Jace spewed, “How about the truth?”
“He’s right,” Ledger roared, “Where the hell have you been?”
“Teeny, if you were with a guy.” Jace hands fisted at his sides. “So, help me God, I’ll fucking kill him.”
Troy added, “I’ll help you.”
“Is that what this is about?” Alexander questioned. “Did you spend the night with someone?”
Jesus. They were hammering into me.
“No.” I fervently shook my head. “I told you the truth.”
“What kind of man are you seeing that he has no respect for your family?”
“Jace, I’m not with anyone.”
“Bullshit! You expect us to believe your convenient story with your no-good best friend.”
“Cove has nothing to do with this.”
“She’s been nothing but a pain in the ass since she was a little girl. Did your slutty friend introduce you to this guy you’re having sleepovers with?”
I gasped, but before I could yell at him, Dad shouted, “That’s enough!”
All our stares shifted to him.
“I’m her father. You’re her brothers. Know your roles!”
Thank God.
I never appreciated him more than I did at that moment.
“Now leave her alone! She told us where she was. She apologized. End of story.”
“Dad, she’s obviously lying.”
“Jace, back off! You all live your own lives. She’s eighteen and will be graduating soon. She’s allowed to have her own life too. You can’t babysit her for the rest of your lives. Your mom wouldn’t want that for you or her. Now have some respect for you sister. Am I making myself clear?”
They nodded, backing away. I took the opportunity to walk inside and get away from them.
Never expecting our father…
To be on my side.
Twenty-Six
Haven
After I changed my clothes, I made my way out to the pool. Remembering how much we used to play in there while Mom watched from the kitchen window. The pure joy on her face was one of my favorite expressions. I don’t how long I stayed out there, sitting with my feet in the water.
