Page 72 of Blindside Love

I stop talking when I see my dad staring back at me, wide eyed, almost shocked at my long-winded response.

“You let it get that far without saying something? I raised you to be a helluva lot smarter than that, son. Next time, don’t be dumb, and just come talk to me. It’d save you the headache, and hell, I just like being able to be there for you. Be the person you can talk to.”

“You are, dad. I promise. I just got nervous. It’s a huge change, and I just kept jumping to the worst-case scenarios.”

“I get it. Your mom does the same thing, so I’m used to it, but I’m still going to call you an idiot.”

“I deserve it.” I laugh, feeling the weight of this conversation immediately falling off my shoulders.

Did it suck? Yeah. But I’m glad he knows.

I feel dumb that I even questioned how he’d respond, but now I know. When you’re a parent, you love unconditionally, always choosing the happiness of the ones you love.

Chapter 25

Ellie

I’m resending the divorce papers. This time, sign them.

Tom

No, it’s time for you to stop your games. Come. Home.

No.

Tom

Tick, tock, Eleanor. I’m losing patience with your drama.

Natalie

I’m on my way up. I’m carrying a bunch of shit, so get your ass up and help with the door.

I’m excited for a night out with Natalie, although it won’t quite be the night of dancing I was originally hoping for. I know it’s just dancing, but the thought of having another man’s hands all over my body, close enough to feel everything makes me cringe. I don’t want to touch anyone that isn’t Trevor, and I sure as hell don’t want anyone that isn’t him touching me.

Opening the door, I see Natalie coming down the hall holding a pile of dresses as well as what looks like her entire makeup kit.

Jesus. I know I said we were going dancing, but I figured normal makeup would work.

“What’s all this for?”

“To make us completely fuckable,” Natalie says as she throws the pile on the couch. “Now come on, we’ve got an hour until it’s time to go.”

Fifty minutes later, she’s done my makeup, curled my hair, and squeezed my body into the tiniest black dress known to mankind. Sparkly, knee-high silver boots make the outfit just slightly less revealing.

“Are you sure this is what I should be wearing?” I mean, don’t get me wrong, I feel sexy as hell, but it also feels like I’m two seconds away from a horrible wardrobe malfunction.

“You look perfect. Now give me your phone. I’m taking a picture, and you’re sending it to Trevor.”

“Now why would I do that?” I ask, my eyebrows raised. That sounds dumb.

“Well, the last I heard, you guys had explosive sex when y’all played around with the sexual tension. Think of this as text edging.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

Yet I find myself doing exactly what she tells me to, taking the damn picture and letting her send it before getting in an Uber for a night of fun at a place I never thought I’d get to go to.

I’ve always wanted to come to Club 100, so when Natalie told me she got us in, I originally thought she was lying, especially for a Friday night. This is one of the hardest clubs to get into. It’s one of those things where you have to know someone who knows someone types of situations, and frankly, she and I don’t know too many people.

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