AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat, trying to process what he’s just said. I’m a ticking time bomb, and I can tell from the expression on his face he knows it. Tears well up in the corner of my eyes, and all I can do is shake my head gently.
“I’m sorry, Dani. I should have told you sooner.”
“Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve, right?”
“You’re pissed, I get that—”
“Damn right, I’m fucking pissed,” I explode. “Not only did you make me think something horrible about Hunter, but you’ve hidden the fact that our piece of shit father has been reaching out to you.”
“He’s our dad, Dani,” he says softly. “I can’t just turn him away.”
“Can’t turn him away? That’s bullshit. Just say the truth for once, and the truth is that you couldn’t turn away the free shit.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?” I scream. “When has that man ever been there for us? Never. And now he’s probably heard that you’re about to make something out of yourself and he wants to come back. How fucking convenient?”
“Or maybe he’s reaching out because he’s sorry? Because he wants a relationship with us?”
“No.” I shake my head with a furious chuckle. “That man doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He didn’t care about Mom, and he sure as hell didn’t care about either of us.”
“Maybe it’s different now!” He throws his hands up in the air. “Maybe he’s changed.”
“The only reason you think that is because you didn’t do what I had to do. I had to take care of you because he wouldn’t.”
He purses his lips. “Right. And that’s something you have no problem throwing in my face any time it’s convenient.”
“What?” I whisper. “Chad, no. I don’t—I never meant…”
My breath hitches and I fight desperately to regain control.
I’ve always hated fighting with him. With anyone, really. Despite my tough girl exterior, when it comes to things that matter, things that are truly important, I hate conflict. Which makes me feel weak. Which makes me pissed at Chad and myself and just want to run away.
I back away from him. “I have to go.”
“Don’t,” he pleads. “Let’s just talk this out.”
“I can’t be here right now. I can’t be around you right now. I love you, Chad. But I just need to get out of here.”
Swiftly, I exit his bedroom and run out his front door.
Chad follows me as far as the front door, and then he just stands in the doorway watching me leave the same way I watched our father walk away all those years ago.
The difference is I’ll be back. Even though I’m angry, hurt, and disappointed, I love my brother. He can always count on me to come back.
Too bad I don’t inspire the same kind of feelings in others.
I’m not even thinking about my father when I have the thought. I’m thinking of Hunter. I want to see him so bad. Part of me wants to run to him. But that’s bullshit. Because while he hasn’t been bribing Chad with gifts, I can’t forget about Amy’s visit. I can’t trust Hunter.
I can’t trust anyone.
