Page 20 of Resisting my Roommate

Drawing in a deep breath to calm myself, I hit my father’s contact and bring my cell up to my ear, listening to it ring. And ring. And ring.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s deliberately ignoring me.

As I’m about to give up and text him instead, he finally answers.

“Abbey.” His voice is cold and distant, lacking the warmth you’d expect between a father and his daughter.

Then again, I never felt like I was part of his family. To him, I’m merely the result of a mistake he made years ago that he’s been burdened with since my mother dropped me on his doorstep and informed him I was his problem.

“I thought you’d be on your honeymoon by now.”

I don’t miss the hint of accusation in his tone. Or maybe it’s disinterest.

“Yeah, well, change of plans.” I laugh slightly to mask the tremble in my voice.

“What do you mean? Did something happen?”

“You could say that.” I swallow hard. “The wedding never happened.”

The line goes eerily silent for what feels like an eternity. Then he pushes out a long sigh. “Abbey…”

“Carson was cheating on me. With Maia. I walked in on them together ten minutes before the ceremony was supposed to begin.”

“So you just…left?”

This time, I definitely don’t miss the accusation in his tone.

“Of course I left.”

“With all your guests there?”

“What did you expect me to do? Still marry him?”

“I just think there may have been a better way to handle it other than running out and making a scene,” he suggests almost tauntingly. “Then again, you are your mother’s daughter. She always had a flair for the dramatics, too.”

I clench my jaw, in no mood to get into an argument about my mother with him. She’s a sore spot for both us. And he never misses an opportunity to remind me his opinion of me isn’t much better than it is of her.

“I’m not calling for your commentary, Graham,” I retort sharply, using his first name, as I always do.

Calling him Dad would infer some sort of familial bond. We’ve never had that. Hell, I’ve never had that with anyone.

“I need some help.”

Another deep sigh sounds over the line. “Let me guess. You’d like that help to come in the form of money.”

“Yes,” I grit out, hating how this man makes me feel.

“Just like your mother. She only calls when she needs money, too.”

“Carson reported the car he gave me as stolen.”

“You didn’t expect him to let you keep it after you ended things, did you?”

“Honestly, whether I’d be able to keep my car was the last thing I thought about when I walked in on my future husband balls deep in my best friend. I guess I could have interrupted between his grunts and her pleas to fuck her harder.”

“No need to get snippy with me, Abbey. I’m on your side.”

I roll my eyes, grateful he can’t see me.

---