Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Baby, my cell is ringing.” Tide cups my cheek, and I sleepily lift my head from his chest and look at the coffee table where his phone is. Since I’m sprawled out on top of him, I reach over to grab it and place it in his hand before laying my head back down where it was before he interrupted my snooze. “What’s up?” His chest rumbles against my ear, then his body under mine moves as his muscles bunch. “You’re kidding me.”
I lift my head to look at him, and the moment his eyes meet mine, I know it’s bad, whatever it is.
“We’ll be there.” He hangs up and drops his phone to the floor next to the couch before resting his big palm against the side of my face.
“What is it? What happened?”
“Your dad’s at the Rusty Rose, and he’s pretty out of it. Colton said we need to come get him, or he’s going to have to call the cops,” he says, and my eyes slide closed. “I can go get him on my own and take him home, baby. You don’t need to see him like that.”
“No.” I shake my head, pushing back until I’m kneeling on the couch. “I’ll go alone.”
“You really think I’m gonna let you go on by yourself?” He grabs my wrist when I get off the couch, and I meet his gaze. “No fucking way, baby.” He stands and cups my cheeks, placing his face close to mine. “Go get dressed. I’ll meet you at the truck.”
With a nod, I rush upstairs and strip out of the lounge pants I put on when we got home, then put on jeans, and a sweatshirt over my tank top, before grabbing my sneakers. I sit on the steps to put on my shoes then go downstairs and grab my purse before I head outside. Tide is waiting for me next to the open passenger door of his truck, and once I’m seated, he helps me buckle myself in, then kisses me softly, closing me inside.
We don’t talk when he gets in behind the wheel, and the only sound on the way to the bar is the soft music playing through the speakers. I know my dad gets drunk a lot, but I can’t remember a time he’s been so out of it that he’s been at risk of having the cops called.
When we pull up to the bar and see the amount of vehicles in the parking lot, I remember there is a football game on tonight and a lot of people like to get out of the house to watch the game. After Tide parks, I slip off my seatbelt then wait for him to come around to my side to open my door. With the cold evening air making me shiver, we walk into the building, which is quiet except for the sound of my dad shouting belligerently about wanting another drink.
“Oh no,” I whisper, seeing my dad fall off his stool.
“Fuck,” Tide clips, taking my hand in his and dragging me across the room. When we reach the front of the bar, Colton’s eyes meet mine, and the look he gives me makes my heart stutter in my chest. Before I have a chance to process what his look means, Tide lets go of my hand to help my dad up off the ground.
“You can’t just cut me off.” My dad shoves Tide away, shouting, “I could buy this fucking place with the cash in my wallet.” Anger fills the pit of my stomach, and I rush him without thinking, planting my hands against his chest, shoving him back a step, and causing him to stumble. When his eyes meet mine, I can tell he’s surprised to see me. “Aria.” He blinks, and I shake my head as my chest heaves.
“What are you doing?” I swallow over the pain in my throat, then whisper, “What are you doing, Dad?”
“I’m sorry.” He looks around before meeting my gaze once more. “I… I didn’t know you were here.”
“What does it matter if I’m here or not?” I toss my arms out from my body. “Me not being here doesn’t give you the right to act like a jerk.”
“You…” He looks around before stumbling a step toward me. “You’re right.”
“How about you let us take you home?” Tide suggests, and until that moment, I didn’t notice he’s right at my side, right where he always seems to be.
“Sure.” My dad adjusts his suit jacket while Tide takes his arm to help him out of the bar.
When the three of us get outside, Tide helps me into his truck before doing the same with my dad, who is obviously three steps past intoxicated. Sitting in the front seat, I try to come up with a million excuses for my dad acting like he is, but I know they’re all bullshit. I also know me doing that is something I’ve done since I was a kid. Only now, I don’t need to lie for him or make excuses.