Page 70 of Kiss and Make Love

She shook her head. “After Mom died, my dad started living to drink and work. That’s all he did. I think he drank at work, too.”

“So…you guys aren’t on speaking terms, then?” he asked.

She sighed, bracing herself to fill him in since Matt hadn’t. “At first, Dad’s drinking was manageable, but then he got controlling. I was seventeen when Mom passed, and Matt was already out of the house. He didn’t know how bad it was getting with Dad.” Sneaking a glance at Gabriel, she saw his eyes were fixed on the road, but he was listening, so she continued. “Matt really didn’t tell you any of this?”

He shrugged. “Not a word. Said your dad was estranged and didn’t want to talk about it, so we never did.”

That was her brother—always thinking of her. She appreciated Matt keeping her story private, like she had asked all those years ago. “Matt usually keeps my story under wraps. I don’t like people knowing how bad my dad got. He wasn’t always like that. He was a good man before Mom passed.”

“What did your dad do?” He glanced at her, a worry line forming on his brow. He added quickly, “If you don’t mind sharing, of course.”

“Dad didn’t want me leaving the house when I graduated. He was already keeping tabs on everything I did. Pre-approving my friends, not letting me date or be around guys. He tracked my phone and made sure I was home by nine each night. He even put a lock on the outside of my door, making it impossible to leave after curfew.”

He frowned. “That sounds like a lot of disgusting behaviour from the man who’s supposed to be taking care of you.”

Was it just her, or did Gabriel sound angry?

“Yeah, well, it didn’t get any better. Dad’s strict behaviour turned into aggression, and he…started hitting me when he thought I was out of line. The idea of graduating and leaving was the only thing that kept me going. I thought if I kept my head down and made it to the end of the school year, I could bear it. When he said he wouldn’t allow me to leave…I just broke. I couldn’t do it anymore.”

“And Matt got you out of there?” His voice was strained, like he was trying to keep his emotions in check.

She nodded her head and bit the inside of her cheeks to keep the tears back. “The day after I told him, while I was at school, Matt went to the house and packed up all my stuff. By the time school was out, he’d moved me into his spare bedroom. I lived with him while I finished out the rest of my senior year. Then I got a job, saved up, and moved into my first place when I was eighteen.”

He blew out a heavy breath. “And your dad?”

June let out a sharp laugh. “He was not pleased. But Matt dealt with him. I never asked him what he did, and he never told me. Dad and I had a good relationship before Mom passed, but I’m done with him. Matt’s all I have. He has to be okay.” She wiped away the last stray tear clinging to her eyelashes.

Her dad probably didn’t even know Matt was in an accident, and she wouldn’t be the one to tell him. He didn’t deserve to be a part of their lives—good or bad.

The air in the car was heavy with her words. Gabriel reached over and set his free hand on top of hers, gripping her fingers. “I’m sorry that happened to you, June. Matt’s gonna be okay. It could’ve been a lot worse.”

She nodded her thanks, and he moved his hand back to the steering wheel. She tried to keep the heat she felt from rising to her face. When he touched her hand, her heart back-flipped into her stomach. How he had such an effect on her, she didn’t know. He’d spent the last five years saying little more than the bare minimum whenever she tried to get to know him in a more meaningful way. But just now, he’d comforted her. Let her open up to him. Listened. She chewed her bottom lip, puzzling through this new behaviour, this softness from him.

“We need to stop for gas. You can get out and stretch your legs a bit, then we’ll keep going.” He turned his phone back on and left it in the cupholder before turning into a rest stop.

“I could take the next shift? Drive for a few hours and give you a break?” she asked.

Gabriel scoffed at the idea. “No one drives Betty White but me.”

She couldn’t keep her amusement from spreading across her features. “Betty…White? You named your car Betty White?”

He scowled as if she’d offended him. “Of course I did. She’s reliable, she’s a legend, and she’s an icon. And, you know, my car is white, so it was a natural fit.”

She chuckled. “No need to get defensive. I think it’s a great name. Thanks for sharing it with me.” And she meant it. A little levity was what she needed right now.

When they pulled up to the gas pump, June exited the car to take a walk around the lot. She stretched her legs out and raised her arms above her head, letting out a sigh. Gabriel stood beside the car, filling the tank.

“Hey!” she called out. “Grab some snacks for the road? Some Hawkins Cheezies and a bag of Twizzlers?”

He rolled his eyes, but there was a definite sparkle in his eyes. “Anything else?” he yelled back.

“Some Clearly Canadian?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Oh my god. How about Coke?”

She gave a thumbs-up. “That’s an acceptable backup.”

Humming to herself, she arched her back to stretch out her spine. Maybe this trip would offer her the opportunity to get to know Gabriel like she’d always wanted. After all, he’d picked her up this morning without asking, and he comforted her in the car, listening to her recount unpleasant memories. Perhaps he wasn’t so indifferent toward her after all.

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