Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64419 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64419 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry, man, but I can’t be out of the office today. Otherwise, I absolutely would take you.” He understood what I was asking even without a direct request.
“What about Danny?” I asked.
“Henry’s off, and that would leave me with no drivers.” Porter paused. “What about your dad?”
I sighed, not wanting to consider that possibility. “He’s probably busy.”
“I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to help.”
“Okay, thanks.” I hung up.
I wanted to stare at my phone for a long moment, then trudge into the kitchen to make myself some coffee, but I didn’t have time. I couldn’t ask Aly. She was working as well. Gina was probably already in Nashville at work, and after the debacle of last night, I didn’t want to further burden her. It looked like it was my dad or Uber. I called him before I lost my nerve.
“Linc?” Dad’s voice sounded hopeful.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“This is a nice surprise. How are you?”
“I’m good, but I need a ride to the VA in Nashville,” I said, forcing the words out. Asking my dad for a favor still felt wrong, like I was being a burden.
“Sure, I’ll be right there,” he said.
“My appointment’s at ten,” I added quickly, so he would know that we had a limited amount of time.
Dad chuckled. “Well, we better get going.”
I hung up the phone, feeling marginally better. He hadn’t made any excuses or asked any questions, just agreed on the spot to drive me out to the city and back.
What was he going to do while I waited for the counselor? Would he want to come with me? Or could I convince him to grab an early lunch and wait outside? I decided I would cross that bridge when I came to it.
I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. Pulling my pants back on, I felt renewed, as if I had made it over some obstacle and come down the other side triumphantly.
My boots were rank. I went to the fridge and grabbed a box of baking soda. After sprinkling some in, I took another sniff. Better.
After wasting all that time, I wasn’t able to sit down with a cup of coffee before my phone buzzed. It was a text from my dad. I’m outside.
I grabbed my wallet and hurried out of the apartment, remembering to lock the door behind me.
Dad was waiting on the curb as I emerged from the backyard. I climbed into the passenger seat with a tight smile. He pulled out through the neighborhood, headed for the highway. The silence was deafening. I felt like I should say something, to thank him for going out of his way. And yet there was still lingering angst from my teenage years when we hadn’t gotten along.
“I saw Gina last night,” I said.
“Good.” He didn’t take his eyes off the road. “I’m glad you two could catch up.”
“The baby was asleep, so I didn’t get to meet him.”
“Nice little boy, very happy,” Dad commented.
“Do you ever babysit?” I wondered.
Dad cracked a smile. “No. Maybe when he’s older.”
“Do Porter and Gina ever get out on their own?” I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of life coming to a crashing halt after a baby was born. My sister and her boyfriend were both young, and yet it seemed like all they did was work and care for the kid. That wasn’t the kind of life I wanted.
“A baby is a big responsibility,” Dad answered.
I knew that, so I kept my mouth shut. People should get a break now and then, even from big responsibilities. That was all I meant. There was another long pause in the conversation before Dad brought up the worst subject in the world—Aly.
“I understand you’ve been talking to our young receptionist, Allison.”
I rolled my eyes. How the hell was I going to get out of this discussion? “Gina and Porter already gave us the talk.”
“Which is?”
“I’ve got nothing but respect for Aly,” I answered. “You don’t have to worry.”
“I just think you’re in a situation to take advantage—”
“I’m not going to take advantage,” I said, cutting him off. “And I’m not in any kind of situation. I’m low man on the totem pole all around. The only thing I’ve got to offer her is friendship.” And sex, but I wasn’t going to bring that up with my dad.
“Okay,” he muttered. “I won’t ask again.”
“How did you feel when Porter and Gina got together?” I asked.
“I’ve known Porter for years, even before he and Gina were involved. He worked for me at the lumberyard, so I knew what kind of guy he was.”
“But you don’t know what kind of guy I am?” I asked.
“I didn’t say that.”
“But that’s what you meant.”
“No it’s not.” He pulled off the highway, straight into downtown Nashville.
I let it go. I had about five minutes to get to the office, so I didn’t have time to force the issue.