“How did you get so wise, Mr. Barnes?” I half joked.
“Look, I may not be into this whole scenario with my dad, but I grew up respecting my mom more than anything. My stepdad made sure of that. He’d kick my ass if I back-talked her or didn’t take her advice. She always told me,I’m your mom ... it’s my job to do right by you, but I love you no matter what. Even when we have words.”
“Aw.” My eyes teared up. “That’s the sweetest. I grew up wanting a mom like yours. I guess I got a dad instead.”
We reached the beach entrance and kicked off our flip-flops, then hiked up and over the dunes, and I sort of hoped we were dropping the heavy conversation.
“You have a lot to be thankful for, Em,” Price said, squeezing my hand again. “Your dad loves you. Take pride in that.”
“I am, I guess. Truthfully, I thought it would be more dramatic, but you saw ... my dad acted like nothing when we arrived. And now you guys are BFFs. Throwing Robby out the window.”
Price stopped and turned me toward him. “Pretty fucking sure that Robby did that to himself. And right or wrong, your dad kind of played you with that. Knew what he was doing. Made sure you didn’t end up in the wrong hands. I’d die for a dad like that. Look at us—you have the dad I always dreamed about, and I have the mom you wanted. I guess, together, we make the perfect pair.”
A lump of regret formed in my throat, making my eyes burn. “I shouldn’t have ignored my dad all summer. He’s pretty good. The best.”
“Hey.” Price lifted my chin. “He knows you’re growing up, and now you found me. So, yeah.”
His lips met mine before he finished his own sentence. We stayed like that for a long while, beer on his breath, the moon in the background, Tuck digging in the sand by our feet.
“Thanks for bringing me. I didn’t know it, but I needed something to cheer me up after the shitty time I had in Philly. I never should’ve gone there to see my dad. Should’ve gone to see my mom.”
I eased my lips along his neck, standing on my tiptoes. “Hey, you didn’t know. You’re trying. That’s all you can do.”
“He’s a no-good prick. I don’t want anything to do with him, or anything or anyone related to him. I’ve gotta get out of that damn apartment.”
“Come on, let’s walk a bit,” I told him as Tuck chased his tail by our feet. “Look, you have a free place to live, and you’re getting your degree. Your mom wants that for you, so think of it that way.”
He nodded. “Let’s talk about you. You’re done at the Bangladeshi place ... thank fuck ... and now you’re going to ask Bev for a job. But what’s the end game?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking some sort of trade. Culinary. That way I could work anywhere. I don’t know how much longer I can afford New York.”
“So, you’ll move in with me, make that ostentatious place feel more livable. Problem solved. My mom will be happy, so you can’t say no.”
“Quit it.”
“I’ll talk to your dad about it tomorrow. I know he’s worried about your safety ... that should seal the deal.”
“Grrr, Price, don’t you dare.”
“Now it’s on!”
I didn’t have time to argue because he swiftly lifted me, laid me down in the sand, and kissed the heck out of me. The gritty shit dug into every crease and crevice—but I didn’t care.
“Think your dad’s asleep?”
“You’re not sneaking into my room!”
“We’ll see.”
I wondered how my dad would like hearing that. With the way things had gone down, he probably wouldn’t care.
Price
“Have a minute?” Emerson’s dad found me in the kitchen the next morning, helping myself to some coffee.
“Hope this is okay?” I held up my mug.
“Yeah, that’s what it’s there for ... to drink.”
