Page 69 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

I kick them out a few hours later, ready to relax and soak in my tub with a good book. Not ten minutes after drawing a bath, my phone rings. I look down at the display, already knowing in my gut who it is. The Watering Hole. Of course. For the first time in a long time, I’ve had a good day. It’s only natural something would come along and screw it all up.

Johnny begrudgingly informs me he’ll be forced to call the police if Daddy doesn’t leave. He made a scene again, and it’s the final straw. Johnny says he’s not allowed on their premises anymore, and he isn’t listening when they ask him to stay gone. How did this become my life? I should just let him get arrested, but I know I won’t. The part of me that believes when he says all of this is my fault forces my hand.

He wouldn’t be the way he is if Mama were here. And she would be if they hadn’t been coming to my toddlers’ recital.

I grab my keys, lamenting the fact I’m dealing with this again. What would I have done if Jax and Becca had still been at the house? What you’ve always done. Make an excuse and get ‘em to leave.

Once I reach my car, I realize the interior light is on. “Come on, come on, come on. Work with me,” I mutter, turning the key and watching the lights on my dash flicker. I hear clicks, but no engine. Shoot.

I should call Jax, but if I do, he’ll ask where I’m going, and I’m not ready for him to know about Daddy. I’m not ready for anyone to know about him. I lean my head against the headrest, closing my eyes.

“Keep it. Just in case.”

My eyes snap open as the words filter through my head, and I dig in my purse to grab the piece of paper with Chase’s number. Every bone in my body is telling me this is a bad idea, but unless I want to air out my family’s dirty laundry, I don’t have a choice.

With shaky fingers, I dial his number.

“Goldi?”

My stomach clenches at hearing the nickname, but I don’t correct him. “How’d you know it was me?”

“You’ve had the same number since high school. It’s burned into my memory. Is everything okay?” he asks.

I lean my forehead against my steering wheel. “My car won’t start.”

“Oh. Do you need me to come look at it?”

“No. Daddy’s causin’ trouble down at The Watering Hole and I need to go pick him up. I just… I didn’t have anyone else to call.” I lift my head, raising my eyes and willing the tears to stay at bay.

It’s silent on the line and I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure it’s still connected. I hear rustling on the other end and a female voice in the background mumbling. My stomach bottoms out. Is he with someone right now? “Oh, you’re busy. I shouldn’t have called.”

“No,” he barks. “No, I’m not busy. You can always call. Just tell me where you’re at and I’ll be there.”

My chest warms with relief, and something else I refuse to identify. I ramble off where I live. He offers to go pick up Daddy on his own, but I can’t burden him more than I already am.

I wait in my car until I see headlights coming down the street. It’s probably stupid, but I don’t want him in my apartment. It’s the one place in town that doesn’t remind me of him, and I’d like to keep it that way.

He pulls in behind where I’m parked, and I’m out the door and over to his truck before he can turn off his engine.

“Hi,” I say, strapping my seatbelt on.

He smiles. “Hey.”

His hair is mussed like he just got out of bed. Like fingers have been tugging on it. Something that feels a lot like jealousy crawls up my throat, squeezing as I remember the woman’s voice on the phone. “Thanks for this. I’m sorry to interrupt whatever you were doin’.”

He glances at me. “You didn’t interrupt anything.”

“Oh, I just heard a woman on the phone and assumed…”

His features tense, but he stays silent. Guess that answers that. I shouldn’t want to know anyway. It’s not my business.

He runs his hand through his hair. “You left work early today?”

“Yeah. I’m surprised you noticed with how busy y’all were.”

“I always notice you.”

My rebellious heart skips.

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