Page 82 of Forgive Me Father
Roman’s words echo in my mind. Play along with the idea that Luca and I are something close to exclusive, and it’ll keep my father’s suspicions at bay.
I give Luca’s hand a small squeeze, ignoring the buzzing of my phone, undoubtedly more texts from Roman. After yesterday, I peered out my window before bed and saw Roman’s 4-Runner parked outside, just as he promised. The sense of safety his presence gives me is something I can't shake, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise.
“So, where do your parents think you are tonight?” Zoey asks, as her mother laughs at a rerun ofFriendsin the background.
Roman called last night to explain Seth’s involvement with my father, painting him as an even bigger monster than I could have imagined. When Zoey said she was staying with her mom tonight, I jumped at the chance to be away from home.
“Actually,” Aiden says with a grin, “he thinks we’re trick-or-treating with Luca.” Zoey’s nose wrinkles at that.
“Like, actually trick-or-treating? At our age?” She laughs, giving us all a once-over.
“He thinks we’re handing out candy,” Aiden adds, but his voice falters, and I catch the unease in his eyes. The mention of my father makes my stomach churn. It’s not just about the lies we’re telling him; it’s about the darkness that lurks beneath every interaction with that man.
Zoey, ever oblivious to the weight hanging over us, just grins wider. “Well, it’s one night to forget about all that, right? Let’s just have fun and be stupid for once.”
Fun. Stupid. I can’t even remember what that feels like. But tonight, I’m supposed to pretend. I’m supposed to wear this ridiculous costume, sip cheap drinks, and laugh at dumb jokes. I’m supposed to act like Luca’s hand on my thigh doesn’t make my skin crawl because that’s the role I’ve been cast in tonight.
I force a smile and take the costume from Zoey, holding it up in front of me. “You’re evil, you know that?”
Zoey laughs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You’ll thank me later when every guy at the party is drooling over you.”
“Right,” I mutter, though the idea of anyone other than Roman looking at me like that makes my stomach twist. I sneak a glance at my phone again, the notifications from Roman piling up. But I can’t deal with that right now.
Luca leans in closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “You’ll definitely turn some heads,” He murmurs, his hand sliding a little higher on my thigh. The gesture should make me feel something—anything—but it only reminds me of how different his touch is from Roman’s.
I shift away slightly, masking the movement as reaching for my phone. “I should probably let my mom know we’re leaving soon,” I lie, needing an excuse to break the tension building in the room. Luca’s attention is starting to feel suffocating, and I don’t want to deal with it right now.
Zoey, blissfully unaware, just nods. “Alright, but we need to leave in ten. I don’t want to miss out on the good drinks before they’re gone.”
As I turn away to “text” my mom, I can’t help but glance at the message notification that’s still glowing on my phone. It’s Roman, as I expected. But instead of opening it, I shove the phone back into my pocket. Tonight, I’ll play the part Zoey’s laid out for me. I’ll be the sexy nun, the carefree teenager at a Halloween party.
But Roman’s shadow looms large over everything I do, and I can’t escape the feeling that this night is going to be anything but normal.
I close my eyes and count to ten, jerking my arm away from Luca when his fingers graze my scars.
“Sorry,” I whisper instinctively, snapping my eyes open to his downcast expression. “I’m still getting used to... touch.”
Your touch.I’m still getting used to your touch.
“You’re fine, Eden,” He murmurs, giving me a reassuring nudge, but the slight tremor in his voice betrays his hurt. It makes me want to reach out and smooth things over, but I just can’t. Not right now.
“So, if we’re not handing out candy, what are we really doing?” Aiden asks, his tone a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Luca grins, a mischievous spark in his eyes as he reaches into his bag, pulling out two large flasks. The sight of them fills the room with an unexpected tension, a reminder that we’re not kids anymore, that tonight is a step into something darker, something more dangerous.
“We’re going to a party,” He says, his voice laced with excitement. “And we’re doing it in style.”
Zoey cheers, grabbing one of the flasks from Luca’s hand, her enthusiasm infectious but almost oblivious to the undercurrents in the room. “Finally, something fun!” She exclaims, already unscrewing the cap and taking a swig.
But I can’t shake the unease that settles in my chest. The party, the costumes, the alcohol—it all feels like a distraction, a way to forget about everything weighing on my shoulders. But Roman’s presence lingers in the back of my mind, and I know hewouldn’t approve of this. Not the drinking, not the party, and definitely not the way Luca’s hand seems to keep finding its way back to my thigh.
I force a smile as Luca passes me the other flask, the metal cool and heavy in my hand. “What’s in it?” I ask, twisting the cap off and giving it a cautious sniff.
“Something strong enough to make you forget about everything,” Luca winks, his tone playful, but there’s something darker hidden beneath his words.
Forget everything.If only it were that easy.
“Here’s to forgetting, then,” I say, raising the flask in a mock toast before taking a small sip. The liquid burns its way down my throat, and I try to ignore the way my heart skips a beat at the taste of rebellion.
