Page 64 of Love Rewritten

My dad pastes a smile on his face, too. “Uh, Dal, this is Caroline. Caroline, this is Dallas, my oldest."

I can't even force myself to shake her hand when she offers. She lets it awkwardly hang in the air for a few seconds before drawing it back with a weak smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says. Her voice is exactly what I expected after hearing her sing: slightly high-pitched with a bit of a nasal resonance. “I’ve heard a lot about you and your sister.”

I ignore her comment and ask the only thing on my mind. “Did she know?”

Two lines form between my dad's drawn brows. “Know what?”

“That you were married. That you have kids. That you have … had,” I correct with a shake of my head, “a family.”

He takes a deep breath and swallows. Even Caroline seems taken aback by that. And then he nods slowly and says, “I still have a family, Dallas.” He watches me, but I don’t care about anything other than his answer. He sighs. “Yes.”

That’s all I need to know about her.

I throw my hands up like I’m surprised, but I don’t think I am. I walk past them toward Rose, not caring how soaked I get from the rain. I force myself to keep walking when I see Abby, hiding behind Rose, their hands tightly wound together. I barely catch the look in her eyes when I pass, but she’s not hiding her sympathy. It’s not sympathy I want. From anyone. I want my father to understand just how badly he’s ruining—no, already destroyed—the lives of his family.

I storm through the crowds to where Logan and Meredith now sit next to each other. They abruptly stop talking when I approach. They watch me carefully as I brace my arms on the back of my chair, contemplating my next move. I look back toward the door where Rose and Abby stand, watching me, clearly trying to keep their distance. My dad and his girlfriend must have left because I haven’t seen them reenter. Good. Meredith wanted to have a fun night out. Everyone else was having fun, too. I should try to enjoy the night as well.

You know what? Fuck it.

I head to the bar top before I change my mind and flag down the bartender. “Jack and Coke, make it a double.”

Someone says my name. A girl. I can’t tell if it’s Rose or Abby over the loud singing, but a hint of disappointment laces that single word. I force myself to ignore it and down the first drink, fighting past the burn of the liquor and carbonation.

“Get me another.” I pass my empty glass to the bartender, who eyes me critically but makes me another, only a single this time. I return to the table with my drink in hand.

Logan notices the drink and colored straws that indicate an alcoholic drink, immediately. The bartender put three straws in mine like he’ll need to keep an eye on which drink is mine for later. Logan raises a brow as I take a sip, the taste of alcohol somehow hitting me harder with this drink than the last. When you haven’t tasted alcohol for over a year, you seriously notice how strong the taste is. I ignore the sting of the whiskey and force it down.

“Um, I’m not one to shame people for their drinking habits, but are you sure you want to do this?” Logan says, leaning forward, voice low.

Abby and Rose hesitantly approach the table and take their seats, both still staring at me with pained expressions. I ignore Logan’s comment and down half of my drink. I’m fully aware this is the wrong way to deal with what just happened, but I need a night. Just one night where I don’t feel like everything is caving in. One night where I can let go of everything.

“Dallas,” Logan starts with a warning edge to his voice. Abby places a hand on my arm. “You need to slow down.”

I take a deep breath, pushing past the burn in my throat. “Just … let me have this. Just once.”

"Once? Really? You and I both know this isn't just once." Logan shakes his head but sits back in his chair, seeming to cave at my plea.

Abby doesn’t, though. She glances at Logan with a puzzled look, then tips her head, searching for my eyes, but I won’t meet them. I can’t. I’m already ashamed that I gave up my sobriety for that asshole. But what’s done is done. No reason to stop now.

Abby tugs on my arm, and I finally let myself look at her. Bad idea. Her entire calm, happy composure from the day is broken. She frowns, brows drawn together. She looks at my almost empty glass. “Is drinking really how you want to handle this?”

I tighten my fists before holding them up in frustration. “Can everyone let me have one night to relax?” I don’t look at anyone, not wanting to see their reaction to my outburst. Out of my peripheral, everyone physically backs off, leaning back in their chairs.

Everyone except Abby. “Dal, please.”

Those pleading words should send me spiraling, make me snap back to my usual self, make me realize exactly what I’m doing, and they almost do. Instead, I push my chair back and head back to the bar. When I return with my third drink, I take a long swig before sitting down. Everyone still watches me cautiously. Rose is still slightly teary-eyed as Meredith tries to silently comfort her. Logan looks more annoyed than anything, or maybe disappointed.

Sure. Add to the list of people I can piss off tonight.

Chapter 25

Abby

TosayI’mshockedis an understatement. The sober, bartending, college guy I met now sits next to me with a drink in hand. Actual alcohol. I honestly never expected him to drink again after learning about his brother. I figured he’d stay sober for the rest of his life. I’m not judging his desire to drink, but I am concerned as to why he chose to drink. Although, I can’t say I’ve never used alcohol to get through a situation, as unhealthy as that is.

He finishes his drink in one more swig before Rose pushes her chair back, anger lacing her words when she says, “I’m not going to just sit here and watch this again. This isn’t you.”

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