Page 94 of The Off-Limits Play

“It’s okay, Papa Bear.” I hold up my hand to calm him. “I just asked if Carson could help me down the stairs.”

Thankfully, Dad buys my lie with relative ease, although he’s definitely not happy about seeing one of his players holding me.

I roll my eyes as Carson carefully negotiates the stairs with me in his arms. “Seriously, Dad. Stop with the glaring. He’s just helping me.”

“Actually, Carson was the one who found Nylah at the party last night. He carried her through the rain, and when she got here, we insisted she stay the night.” Sienna smiles at me. “And Carson kindly gave up his room so she didn’t have to sleep on the couch.”

Dad’s frown sharpens when Carson reaches the bottom stair. Stepping forward, he practically pulls me out of Carson’s arms. “What happened to your face?”

Carson swallows, brushing his fingers over the bruise on his chin. He shrugs like there’s no point trying to explain.

Dad rolls his eyes. “Did you just carry my daughter down the stairs while you were hungover?”

“No, sir. I wasn’t drunk last night.”

“Yet you still got in a fight?”

Carson clenches his jaw.

“I don’t know which is worst. At least if you’re drunk we can blame the alcohol!”

“Dad, stop,” I practically beg him.

He hitches me against his chest, and I resist the urge to wrestle out of his arms when his sharp gaze lands on me and he growls, “You told me you slept on the couch!”

“Because I knew if I said I slept in one of the bedrooms upstairs, you’d jump to all the wrong conclusions and freak out!” I huff. “If you weren’t such a grumpy, strict bear, I wouldn’t have to lie to you about these little things. I did it to protect the sanity of everyone in this place. They don’t need to witness one of your eruptions.”

Dad’s head jolts back, this hurt look crossing his face before he gently puts me down.

Okay, so now I feel bad.

My father doesn’t really erupt. He’s a great guy, and I just made him out to be the worst. Shit. I’ll have to apologize to him on the way home.

With a swallow, I adjust my footing but end up having to lean against my father for support.

His arm curls around my waist and he glances at Carson, nodding and mumbling, “Thanks for looking after my girl.”

“Anytime.”

Dad eyeballs him like he’s hunting out some kind of lie, and I cannot stand this anymore.

Nudging him with my arm, I tip my head toward the front door. “Let’s go.”

He squeezes my waist and helps me pivot around, taking the bag out of my hands. My leg is kind of throbbing, so I let him support my weight down the steps and even let him lift me into his truck.

“You good?” He reaches for my seat belt, and I take it from him before he can buckle me in like a child.

“Yes.” I give him a warning look.

He shuffles around the car, waving one last time to Sienna, Zander, and Zoey, who are standing on the porch.

“Byeeee!” Zoey waves furiously.

I smile and wave out the window, then notice Carson watching me from the living room window. I blow him a kiss while Dad’s not looking, and his lips twitch.

As soon as the driver’s door pops open, I settle back in my seat and refuse to look at the house again. “So, you gonna take me to church, or am I allowed to go back to my dorm?”

Dad gives me a little side-eye, starting the engine with a huff.

---