Page 153 of Worthy

“Dad?”

“Yes?” Leaning back, he wipes the tears from my cheeks.

“I’m sorry I take after her. Every time you look at me, you’re reminded of the past.”

His hands pause on my cheeks as he frowns. Then he tightens his grip and brings his big, blue eyes close to mine. “What are you talking about, sweetie?”

“The way you look at me, Dad. Like I’m a disappointment.”

Visibly flinching, he moves back. “No… No, Melanie. I could never be disappointed in you. It hurts to look at you sometimes because it reminds me of my own shortcomings as a father and a husband. After your mom’s passing, I blamed myself for a long time. And you… I’ve wanted to talk to you for so long, but I didn’t know how to have this conversation.” His breath shudders as he pulls me back into his embrace. “That night in the Greek restaurant, when I watched the security footage and realized what happened to you and your sister… I thought I’d lost you. It was the worst day of my life.”

“I’m okay, Dad.”

“I know.” He’s crying, too. It’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed my stoic father show this level of emotion. “Life is too short, Melanie. No matter what, you’re my daughter. Nothing will ever change that.”

Memories of Jessica, naked, with her legs spread on the bed, flash through my mind. Dad will never talk to me again if he finds out about that. I draw back, wiping my cheeks and attempting a weak smile.

“Are you okay now, sweetie?”

“Yes.”

Looking unsure, he claps his thighs and rises to his feet. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Dad.”

With a soft smile, he walks out.

I feel terrible, knowing I’ve betrayed my father in the worst way possible. So much for mending this broken bridge between us when secrets lie in wait below to devour us whole. I’ve ruined our family, and it’s only a matter of time until he finds out.

Chapter nine

Jessica

The passing weeks blur into one, and the world as I know it is slowly crumbling around me. Walking down the school hallway, bumping shoulders with strangers, I see no one. I’m a fucking zombie. Not only that, I’m now the girl who was kidnapped while on vacation. Students look at me with equal parts curiosity and sympathy. I hate that they look at me like they’re sorry for me.

“Hey, baby.” Jaxon’s heavy arm drapes over my shoulder and then he pulls me into his body and buries his nose in my hair while I stare straight ahead. “Damn, you smell good.”

I cling to his letterman jacket because if I don’t, I might fall apart. It’s Friday, and I’m dressed in my cheer uniform to raise the school spirit ahead of the game. It’s bullshit.

“You’re my good luck charm, babe.”

“Yeah?” I ask automatically.

Jaxon guides me back against the locker and traps me with his muscular arms. The jealous glances from passing girls burn my exposed skin as he cups my chin and dives down to steal a possessive kiss.

I push up on my tiptoes and meet him, stroke for stroke. I feel nothing. I’m an empty shell that’s barely managing not to get crushed underneath his overpowering attention. His stubble scratches my jaw as he trails kisses down the curve of my neck. Why are we doing this? Jaxon doesn’t need me for his image. He has enough fans at this school and on social media to stroke his large ego for an eternity.

“Damn, I can’t get enough of you.”

“Why?” The word slips from my lips before I can stop it.

His head pops up, and he stares at me. “What?”

I shrug, playing it off. “Why can’t you get enough of me?”

His hazel eyes flick between mine. “You’re so damn confusing sometimes.”

He slides his hand behind my neck, pulls my lips up to his, and whispers, “I like that you keep me on my toes.”

---