Page 103 of Riot

“Ah, yes, Ian mentioned that he had a run in with some uncouth biker outside your apartment,” Mom says. “Please don’t tell me that this is the same man you’re referring to? I told Ian he couldn’t possibly be right. My daughter with a biker?” She saysbikerwith so much disdain I cringe.

Oh. He. Did. Not.

“Ian showed up at my door, Mom. I don’t appreciate you giving him my address.” I don’t care if that upsets her. I’m upset about having to see him again. “After the way he treated me, I want nothing to do with him.”

“Honey, I didn’t give him your address. Daddy must’ve done it by accident. You know how well he and Ian get along.”

Yep, I do. I also know that Ian thinks I’m not good enough, especially a few pounds heavier than his ‘ideal’ woman. He’s disgusting. He deserved to be beaten to a pulp.

“That’s not the point, Mom. But I don’t want to argue about this now.”

“I think it’s best if you come in the morning,” she says out of nowhere. “It’s late.”

“Mom, we can be there in a few hours.”

There is no way that I’m staying in my family home under their roof. Not after everything. We’ll find a place to stay. There are plenty of Airbnbs in the Parish, it won’t be that hard.

“I’ll only worry with you on the road and Daddy is sleeping anyhow. Please tell me you won’t be arriving on a motorcycle.”

I clench my teeth. “I’ll see you in the morning, we’ll leave early.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight, Mom.” I hang up and stare at my hands for a few moments.

“Halo? Is everything okay?” Riot’s concerned eyes are framed by his dark brow. “What happened?”

“I— I’m not sure. She said Dad had a turn, he’s in the hospital.”

“I’m sorry. If you need to go there now, we can drive.”

“It’s okay, we can leave in the morning, if you’re still okay to do that? Or I can just go by myself.”

He shakes his head. “It’s best we get this over with early. We’re together, and it’d be good to let your parents know that I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

I smile despite myself. “My mom isn’t the most delicate of creatures.”

“So where do you get it from?”

There’s a soft smile to my lips when I say, “My grandmother. She was the sweetest, dearest woman. I don’t know how she raised my mom, truth be told.”

His lips twitch as he reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “It’s gonna be okay. No matter what happens, you need to be there for your dad.”

I nod. “I know. I just hope they don’t try and sabotage us because I know already my mom doesn’t approve. Ian told her you're with the NOLA Rebels.”

“Are you worried about it?”

“I’m not,” I say honestly. “I love you, Riot. I’m in love with you, and nothing my parents say is going to change that.”

“I love you, too, babe. I’m here no matter what, okay? Not goin’ anywhere.”

I look down at my bowl. We ordered Thai and it’s my favorite, but now I don’t even feel like eating. Thinking about my dad and what could be wrong with him. He’s always been a workaholic, ever since I was old enough to remember him going off to the office. They may have done the wrong thing by trying to force Ian on me, but they’re still my parents, no matter what.

“I just feel bad,” I whisper. “I haven’t spoken to my dad in as long as I can remember. Ever since I moved here. Granted, he stopped taking my calls, but that’s not the point.”

He rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “Babe, none of it matters. You’re livin’ your life on your own terms. Your parents need to accept that. You’ve got nothin’ to feel bad about.”

“What if he’s really sick?”

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