Page 49 of Her Filthy Mistake

“Be careful.” Jace grabs my arm and makes quick work of the teether, unclasping the latch and setting me free. His movements are quick and clinical.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll give you a moment with your dad.” His eyes never meet mine as he walks over to the instructor.

What’s that about? I wanted to talk to Dad about his music with him present to back me up. But now, he’s deep in a conversation with Elise as if he’s completely forgotten about our plan.

“Zoe!” my dad barks again. “We need to talk.”

“Sure.” I nod but don’t yet turn away from Jace, studying him. The muscles in his back are tense, and every ounce of the lighthearted man is gone.

Great. Is this what the real world is going to look like? What if this was just an island fling? One, in which, he fed me lines to keep me in bed and servicing him.

My stomach cramps as Mom and Landon cross the finish line with the same joy and delight that Jace and I shared moments ago. Landon slings his arm over my mom’s shoulders.

When my mom notices my dad, she straightens and walks over to us. “Hello, Fletcher.”

“Carly.”

I finally face my dad, who’s wearing a suit at the beach in 85-degree weather. I frown. “Aren’t you hot?”

“You don’t know the half of it.” His jaw pops out as he glares behind us. “I told you to stay away from Jace. He’s no good. He’s a druggy and a deadbeat.”

“Fletcher,” Landon growls and steps between my dad and me. “I would recommend you don’t trash talk my brother in front of me.”

“Fine.” My dad grasps my wrist and tugs. “Let’s speak in private.”

“No, Fletcher.” My mom holds my other hand. “We’re finishing a game. And when it’s done, you can come to speak with Zoe in private and not cause a scene.”

“I’m not causing a scene.”

“Yes, you are. You’re down at the beach, wearing a suit and yelling at our daughter like the world revolves around you. Despite what you think, it doesn’t.”

“It’s fine, Mom. I’ll speak to Dad. I have some things I want to talk to him about.” I jerk both my hands free and slap them on my hips. “First, Jace is nothing like you think he is. He’s a good man. He doesn’t drink or do drugs anymore.”

“Yeah, right.” My dad’s eyes flash in anger. “I’ve heard that too many times to count. When they’re using, that’s the first thing they say, ‘I’m clean, I promise.’”

“That’s bullshit.” Anger swells throughout me.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Elise blasts out over her microphone, breaking into our conversation. “We have our winners. Zoe come up here with Jace and claim your prize.”

I step away from my family, glad to have a reprieve from the toxic words my father is spewing and walk toward Jace and Elise. But when I get near them, Jace steps away from me.

As Elise congratulates the other contestants, I corner Jace. “What’s your deal?”

“Your father hates my guts. This is not going to work.”

“Dad will be fine. Just give me a chance to talk to him. I promise. It’ll be okay.”

“Will it?”

“Yes.” I smile at him as fear clambers up my spine. “Yes, it will. I promise.”

I don’t think either of us believes a word I’m saying, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not sacrificing us to make my father happy.

Two seconds later, my father grabs my hand and tugs it. The steely cut of his jaw makes my stomach cramp. I’m not looking forward to this conversation.

“Fletcher!” My mother’s face is harsh as she snaps at my father.

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