Page 68 of Hearts at Seaside
Pete couldn’t help placing his hand on her lower back to comfort her, allowing her to soak in his strength while hers faltered.
“I have the shop to mind,” his father said gruffly.
“I’ll run it while you’re in rehab,” Pete assured him.
“I’ll run it,” Sky said. “Pete has his own business to run.”
Pete shot her a questioning look.
“It makes sense. I go from job to job, and you have clients who rely on you. I can do it, Peter. Have as much faith in me as I have in you.”
How could he say no to that? “We’ve got it covered, Pop. What do you say? There’s no more hiding. It’s this way, or you’re on your own, because I’m done enabling this double life you’re living. I’ve let this go on for two years too long, and I love you too much to let it go on any longer.”
His father huffed a breath. “I don’t need rehab. So I have a few drinks every night. Big deal.”
Pete shrugged and stalked toward the front of the store.
“Peter? Where are you going?” Sky’s voice was rattled and high-pitched.
“I’m done. If he wants to kill himself, so be it. I have a life to start living.” Pete heard Sky’s footsteps hurrying toward him.
“You’re just going to leave?” She grabbed his shirt. “You can’t just let him keep doing this. You said he could die.”
He turned and locked eyes with his sister’s terrified gaze and said the hardest thing he’d ever had to say.
“Yes, he could die, and at this point that’s his choice. I’m not going to be part of it. This is his choice, Sky, and if he chooses to keep drinking, then I’m out of his life from here on out. He’s on his own.” He glanced over her shoulder at their father. His head was buried in his hands, his red ears and jowls visible through his fingers. Pete was finally getting through to him. He hated playing hardball without first warning Sky, but he had no choice.
“Darn it, Peter.” His father’s voice boomed through the shop, loud and tremulous. “Don’t you walk out on me.”
Pete held his hands up in surrender. “I’m done, Pop. We lost Mom to something she had no control over. I won’t watch you willingly kill yourself.”
“Peter.” Sky’s eyes darted from Pete to their father, then back again.
“You’re an insufferable stubborn mule, you know that? You got that from your mother.” Neil stomped up the aisle to where Pete stood and pointed at his face. “If one single person finds out that I’m in rehab, I’ll have your hide.”
Pete bit back tears that fought to come. “I’ve already spoken to the counselor about anonymity, and as far as Sky and I know, you’re visiting your cousin in Miami while his wife recovers from surgery.” He made that up on the spot, but it sounded plausible.
“Don’t expect me to thank you for turning your sister against me.” His father narrowed his eyes. “Jackass.”
Music to Pete’s ears.
