Page 115 of Heart Sick Hate

“I wish I’d fought for her.” Dad presses his lips together. “Not to saveusnecessarily, but so I would have found out about you sooner. I can’t make up for the things I’ve done wrong, Echo. No matter how long I try to atone for mysins, I’ll never make up for your childhood or the burden you took on when you finally met me. I didn’t know how to be a father, and because of that, I failed you in every way a man can fail another person.”

He closes his eyes and takes in a breath. I should probably resent him, after all, he isn’t innocent. But none of us are. Promises, arrangements, bad decisions, they always go one of two ways.

“If it makes you feel better, you’re making up for it.”

He nods, blinking back at me. “I’ll handle Rhett. But you need to do me a favor.”

I nod.

“Follow your heart, honey. Don’t let the unknown scare you. It’s no longer your mother’s path or mine. This one is yours. Let it guide you to what is right.”

He pats the back of my hand and forces a pained smile.

“And you’ll be okay?”

“Always.” Dad stands, brushing off his slacks. “Well, I better get up there and handle a few things.”

“Dad.” I grab his hand. “Thanks.”

He plants his other palm over the back of my hand. “Not necessary.”

I stand up and smile. “Hey, do you mind if I pop into your office for a minute? I need to print a design out for a tat tomorrow, and the printer at the shop decided to take a shit.”

He frowns at my word choice, glancing up at the stained glass Jesus looking down at us.

“Sorry.” I grit my teeth.

He shakes his head and chuckles. “Of course you can. I’ve got a meeting with the contractor after this.”

“All right, well I’ll just be a few minutes. The girls and I have plans.”

Friends, for the first time in my adult life.

“Have fun.” He smiles, pulling me in for a hug. “But not too much.”

“Never.” I grin as he pulls back, and he just shakes his head.

The weight on my chest lifts with each step as he walks away. But I feel another. It was easy to hide behind my commitments. Now there’s no hiding. I need to tell Crew how I really feel about him.

I pull out my phone.

Echo: Dinner tonight?

Crew: Only if that’s code for me eating you out

Echo: You’re perverted

Crew: And you’re wet thinking about my tongue in your pussy

Echo: Shut up, I hate you

Crew: Already starting the foreplay, I can get onboard with that. Hate you too, my dirty little slut

I can’t help that my thighs clench. The asshole knows what it does to me when he’s rude.

Echo: Whatever, seven work for you?

Crew: Yep

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