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“I’m so sorry,” I grunted as I backed up. “Are you okay?” I looked up and met my father’s steely gaze.
“Da— father.”
“Took you long enough.”
For what?It took my brain far too long to remember he’d demanded I go out alone to give him more money. I’d been so wrapped up in Giancarlo, work, and looking into schools it had slipped my mind.
“Oh, I—”
“What is this?” He grabbed my hair and tugged me around the corner. “Cut this shit. You look a mess.”
Gin likes my hair like this.I reached up to touch it. My brunette strands touched just below my ears. There was a slight bump at the ends now.
“I’ve been waiting too long. Hand it over.”
“What?”
I knew better. My back hit the light pole. My father moved fast as he kicked me. I barely moved in time. Instead of the torso where he had aimed, he hit my hip hard. Pain sliced through me, making me see double.
Fuck.
“Get up, Ash, right now,” my father said through gritted teeth.
My body responded without thought. I got up off the dirty sidewalk, pushing past the pain. He straightened my jacket and pulled me close once again.
“Try playing dumb again, and I will drag you down for a lesson.”
My entire body shuddered at the word. My trembling fingers shoved into my pocket, wrapping around the loose dollars I had on hand. I took them out and passed them over.
“Sorry, father.”
“Forgetting yourself hanging out with trash.”
My head snapped up. “He’s not trash.”
The hand smacking me against the back of the head was expected. He could put me down all he wanted, could call me worthless or any name in the book. However, I wouldn’t stand for him doing the same to Gin.
My father stared at me after counting the money I handed him. “I know you have to have more. You were in Brix and Son’s leather shop.”
I had thought he’d been watching me or had someone watching me, but this proved it. A slimy, disgusting feeling crept over my skin at the knowledge. I pulled out my wallet, wanting our interaction to be over already. I pulled out the remainder of the cash. Good thing I left the credit card Gin had given me at home.
“Eight hundred. Finally showing some promise.”
I wouldn’t even be carrying around that much, but I hadn’t been sure how much Gin’s gift would cost. “Can I go?”
My father’s smile vanished as he glared at me. “Fuck off and bring me more next time.”
I moved to the side and headed back the way we’d come.
“Ash.”
I didn’t want to stop. My stupid feet halted regardless of my feelings.I want to go home.
“Don’t make me wait again.”
I nodded, hoping it was the end of the conversation. If I went the rest of my life never hearing the sound of his voice again, it would be a miracle. He was my father, but he made me wish he wasn’t. I used to be riddled with guilt from those kinds of thoughts, but as I briskly headed home, I felt nothing.
I practically raced into the house, slamming the door behind me.
