Page 69 of Accidentally Forever
“I can understand that but your family loves you. Okay?”
“I know. I love you too.” I paused, my throat tight. “Now I’m getting ready for my date.”
My dad was silent for long enough, I was afraid I’d done something wrong. “You sound happy, Aria.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I am happy. I feel selfish that I am sometimes, but I am. I lovehim so much, Daddy.”
“That’s good to hear. My kids are all starting to settle, and I’m feeling like an old man.”
“Whatever you say, Grandpa.”
“Rude.” He paused again. “I know the situation isn’t easy with Travis. And there’s not an answer that I can give. Your grandparents, aunts, and uncles all did their best to try to help me before I was ready for it. But as soon as I reached out, they were there. Just like I know you will be. Even though it pains me because I want you out of harm’s reach. I don’t know what’s going on in Travis’s head, because sometimes I don’t know what had gone through mine. But you’re trying. And you’re living your life. I’m proud of you, Aria.”
My throat tightened even as a weight lifted from my shoulders. Because of all people, my dad understood where I was coming from. He’d been on the other side of it, after all. Though he’d never hurt anyone—not like Travis was doing. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now, make sure you bring Crew over for dinner this weekend. Your mom is making noises about surprising you at his house since you haven’t brought him over recently.”
“Mom is? Because that sounds like ayouthing. Mom makes intricate plans.”
I could practically hear him rolling his eyes at methrough the phone. “Fine. It’s my idea. Let me do what I want. You’re my baby girl.”
“We will put it in the books, that way Mom’s planner is happy.”
“Honestly, that is what I strive for in life. Making sure your mother’s planner is happy.”
I burst out laughing, knowing he was actually telling the truth. My dad loved making my mother and her planners happy. We said our goodbyes, and I went to finish getting ready.
Crew:
Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up? I’m almost done here.
Me:
I am spending the night at your house, and I want a car for tomorrow. I’ll meet you there. Then I’ll let you finger bang me in your truck later.
Crew:
Now I’m talking to my lawyer with a hard on.
Me:
You’re welcome.
I snapped a photo of me in just a towel, my breasts nearly falling out of the fabric, and laughed when he sent back a middlefinger emoji.
I dressed, added lip gloss to my look, and went to pack a bag, only to realize that everything I needed was at Crew’s house. Hell. When had that happened? I shook my head, wondering exactly what that meant, and grabbed my purse. I went through my garage and walked to my car.
A small sound echoed behind me, and I turned. Only to meet with darkness as something slammed into the side of my head.
Chapter Fifteen
Crew
Ipulled into the restaurant parking lot feeling lighter than I had. I was no longer connected to my family. Perhaps in a few weeks I would feel differently about the decision. Right now, it was as if the albatross around my neck was no longer there.
The people who had done the piss poor job of raising me were not my parents. They hadn’t truly raised me. They had done their best to try to form me into what they thought would be possible. I never knew their endgame. They wanted me to be perfect, so they would break me to get there. Honestly, they didn’t make sense. Perhaps it was because they never tried to. They wanted power, and I wasn’t going to give it to them. Not when I had finally grown old enough to protect myself.
And find the family that I should’ve had along the way.
