Page 54 of Bad Decisions

But she slid from the couch, gathering Uni tightly in her arms. She stared at Eli for a long moment before making her way to him. I forced myself not to intervene, but it was hard, and I was pissed.

If he did anything to upset her, I really would smack him.

"Daddy," she muttered, jerking on his hand. One eye opened before the other, and he dropped his head forward.

"Hi, baby," he slurred. His face brightened as he stared down at her, and my heart squeezed.

He was just drunk. It didn't make him a bad father.

"You okay?" She kept her hand on his arm, and if I could see her face, I imagined the worry that would be on it.

"Fine," he said, smiling lazily at her. "I'm just—" He glanced up at me, like he didn't know what to say.

"Tired," I said, and he gave me a hard nod.

"Just tired, baby."

"You missed dinner," she said quietly. "Where were you? I made you a cookie." Tears gathered in his eyes, making them redder.

"You made me a cookie?" he repeated, his voice thick. "What did I do to deserve that?" Emma shrugged one shoulder, still gripping his hand for dear life.

"You like them," she said simply, and something that sounded like a sob choked him.

"Come on, Em," I said, patting her back. "Bedtime." She let out a soft sigh, but before she turned, she launched herself at Eli. He grunted out a breath, but his arms instinctively wrapped around her. He held her tightly to him, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Night night," she mumbled. He hugged her for another moment then pulled away enough to kiss the top of her head.

"Goodnight," he rasped. His red eyes lifted to mine, but I just shook my head. I didn't know what he wanted, if he wanted anything, but I couldn't handle him and Emma together right now.

Luckily, she'd already had a bath and had been winding down for bed, so I read her a short book and promised her an extra story tomorrow night. For being so young, she understood I was worried about Eli without me even having to say anything.

After shutting the light off and leaving her door open a crack, I made my way back to the living room, finding Eli laying on his side on the couch, his shoes finally off. I leaned against the wall and stared at him.

What had happened that led to this? I knew he drank, but he didn't drink like this.

Or maybe he did, and I just wanted to believe he didn't.

"You gonna stand there and stare at me all night like a creep?" he mumbled, his eyes still closed. I straightened. How did he know I was even here?

"What happened?"

"Nothing." He didn't move, he just stayed laying on his side looking far too comfortable. "Long day."

His answer pissed me off all over again.

"Really?" I sneered. "That's the only answer I get?" Finally, he pried his eyes open.

"What answer do you want?"

"The truth would be nice." I folded my arms over my chest. "No one gets drunk like this on a weeknight for no reason."

"Maybe I do," he shot back, his words thick. I let out a humorless laugh as I shook my head.

"Whatever," I said. "Do whatever the fuck you want, Elliot. But don't let Emma see—"

"See what?" he snarled. I took a step forward.

"See her dad drunk off his ass!" I shouted, then winced. She didn't need to hear us arguing, either. "Did you even think about her tonight? Did you think about anyone other than yourself?" He blinked at me, still looking dazed. I knew he wasn't retaining anything I was telling him, but I was too far gone to care.

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