I imagine that means… I’ll get used to Dad being a jerk? Is that it? “I’m sorry you’re going to be short tonight.”
“I would rather you be here than take a chance at a confrontation. Besides, bartending isn’t your forever future.”
A smile curls my lips, and I peek up at him. He’s smiling. Laiken leans over to kiss my head. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Cash will be here soon?” I nod. “Good. Call the bar if you need anything.”
Meaning, if my dad comes over being a dick.
I’m alone for less than five minutes before Cash is there. He brought a tub of ice cream, a bag of snacks, and intercepted our dinner delivery. He also locked up the house to deter any unwanted visitors.
With ice cream in the freezer, Cash burrows himself under the blankets with me, holding me close. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“Someone somewhere is worse.”
He snorts. “But really. Are you okay?”
“Laiken says it’ll get better, but I’m not convinced of that.”
“Dad still being mean?”
“Mean isn’t the word. I told him I wish he’d go back to ignoring me since I can’t take the gross things he keeps implying, if not outright saying.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah. So tell me something good. Please. Gossip about someone other than me. Anything at all. Is Ben on a plane yet? Oh! You can start with the truth as to why Onyx was driving the boat the other day.”
Cash sighs. “Well, it happened just as I said it did. I was talking to one of my coworkers, but… I wasn’t sure they were really going to keep this a secret, so I was frustrated as I wandered around my driveway. I didn’t realize Onyx was standing in the garage doorway and the next thing I knew, he said he’d drive and keep whatever secrets I had.”
“That’s weirdly nice of him.”
“Yeah. Considering I hadn’t let him in my room in weeks! I haven’t even talked to him. Haven’t been to the bar to look at him or anything.”
“He doesn’t like your silence.”
“No. So anyway. We kept the boat out on the water through the fireworks and… talked. And, you know, things happened.”
“I’m going to need details.” I already know Cash is flushed without having to look at him.
He sighs. “Kissing. Sucking. Uh… fingers. You know.Things.”
I grin. “We’re going to have to work on what ‘details’ mean, but go on.”
“We get home late, and Ben is already asleep, so Onyx follows me to my room and we… continue.”
“Does that mean you didn’t get off while on the boat?”
“Oh my god, yes, we did.”
“Ooooh, so this is a continuation of the date. Stop stalling. Tell me more.”
“I’m not stalling. You keep interrupting.”
“You’re stalling right now.”
Cash pinches me, making me laugh.
“Wecontinue,” Cash says, emphasizing each syllable. “We have sex.”
I pull away to look at him with wide, surprised eyes. “No!”
