Page 677 of Rock Me All Night
37
There'sno word from Dad all day.
Or the next day.
I resign myself to defeat and let Pete schedule a flight home.
I'm about to go to bed when my phone flashes with a new message. Dad's cell phone. How did I miss that?
"Maddie, come here," I call.
"Are you decent?" she yells back.
I am. Pete is only wearing boxers. Mmm. Can't get distracted. This is more important than my libido.
"Yeah." I pull up the message ready to put it on speaker.
Pete slides his arms around me. He pulls us onto the bed, me on his lap. His warm skin presses against my bare shoulders and arms. What is it about a lover's touch that makes it feel like everything is going to be okay?
Madison steps into the room with a huff. She looks at us and shakes her head. "You're disgustingly cute. I hate it."
"Thanks." I smile despite the voicemail's potential to destroy me. "I prefer revoltingly adorable."
Pete chuckles. He leans in to whisper. "Ready?"
I nod and press the play button.
Dad's voice fills the room. It's stronger. More assured.
"Hey Jessie, Maddie. I thought a lot with you gone. You know, you girls were the only light in my life after your mom left. I shouldn't have put you through my drinking. Shouldn't be doing it again. I'm about to check in to a treatment center in Albany. I'll have them call to confirm. I'm not allowed visitors for three weeks, but I hope you'll be there soon. I love you, sweetie. You, too, Maddie."
The line clicks.
It's gonna be okay.
Pete whispers in my ear. "Want me to confirm that?"
I nod.
He takes my phone and makes a call. He nods, smiles. "First week you can visit is the week before Thanksgiving."
"Can you get tickets?" I ask.
He nods.
I hug my sister. "It's gonna be okay."
"Yeah it is," she says.
It might be hard, but it's gonna be okay.
Pete waits for me to release Madison then he pulls me into a tight, deep hug.
"Proud of you," he mumbles into my forehead.
I nod.
"Might be hard, all the rehab shit."
"I know. But we have three weeks to be happy." I look up at him. "And I know I'll be happy as long as I'm with you."
"I love you, baby."
"I love you too."
