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ANDI
Ibarely make it over the threshold into our apartment before I hear my father’s voice.
“Look at what the cat dragged in.”
Damn it. I look up and meet his eyes. He is sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for the coffee to brew, with a plate of rye toast slathered in butter in front of him.
“How goes it, Pops?” I drop my keys on the small table near the door and hang my bag on the hook as I head into the kitchen.
Taking a glance at the clock, I notice it’s almost four a.m. Shit. I knew Nolan and I closed the bar down, but I didn’t expect our sexcapade to have lasted that long. When the coffee finishes brewing, I pour us both a cup before I start feeling my dad out. He’s always been an early riser, but this is unusual.
“What has you up this early? Anxious about the film crew arriving today?”
He places his coffee cup down on the table before pushing back. “Thanks for the reminder, pumpkin. I need to get downstairs and make sure everything is ready for them. They’ll be here in a few hours. But I was more worried about my little girl who didn’t come home last night.”
“Oh, Pops, you don't have to worry about me. I’m in the lodge, of all places. How much trouble could I get into? I drank a little too much and didn’t want to wake you when I came back so I stayed in Ivy’s room.”
I turn around and give my dad a smile, hoping he buys my bullshit. The last thing I need right now is to deal with my dad knowing I fucked Nolan.
“The least you could have done was called. I was worried.” He plants a kiss on my forehead and wraps me in his arms, pulling me into his chest for a hug. “There will be new people in the lodge starting today. Not all of them have good intentions. I’m sure Nolan will keep them in check, but I want you to be careful. Keep close to either Nolan or I, tell Ivy the same thing. I don’t want to go to jail for killing some movie star for hurting one of my girls.”
My dad has always been protective of Ivy and me, ever since her foster parents moved into the area when we were eight. I swear if my dad could have adopted her, he would have. Not that her parents didn’t love her, but there was something about Ivy that both of us latched onto.
I pull back from his embrace. “Don’t worry, you taught us well. Anyone gets within striking distance, we’ve got ‘em. Now get out of here and go do boss things. I’m going to shower and get some more sleep.”
“I know when I’m not wanted. Love you, pumpkin.”
“Love you too, Pops.”
With one more kiss on the forehead, my dad heads for the door. I let out a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding.
That was fucking close.
I finish up my coffee and place the mug in the sink, trying not to think about the time I spent with Nolan last night. Everything was just as I imagined it would be…until he kicked me out.
Not that he said the words “get out,” but it was implied. Tears immediately spring to my eyes as I replay our entire conversation over again in my head.
No, I tell myself firmly. We’re both adults. He knew what he was doing when he stuck his dick in me. I am not a whore, and no man will ever make me feel like one.
After my mental pep talk, I feel a little better. This place will be crawling with a bunch of new faces soon, and I’ll get to see my best friend every day for the next few weeks. Even though last night didn’t end how I expected, things are looking up for the first time in a while.
When Ivy and I went off to college, we thought that would be the last we saw of this little town, but like a moth to a flame, we’ve been drawn back. Okay, admittedly, I had to lure Ivy with the promise of a job to get her to come back, but still.
With a smile on my face, I head toward the bathroom to wash off last night’s mistakes and get ready for the day. A few more hours of sleep will help clear my mind. I don’t want to be distracted when I meet up with Ivy, and I’ll be damned if I let Nolan know how much his words hurt me.
Sticks and stones, right?
