Dad stops pacing, sitting down alongside me. “I never liked that guy, and I couldn’t understand why Carole was so keen to push you together when it was obvious you couldn’t stand him.”
“Then why did you allow it?”
He has the decency to look ashamed. “For an easier life.” His shoulders hunch forward. “I need to ask you about him, Emily, but first,Iwant to apologize to you.”
My eyes pop wide.
He takes my hands in his big, meaty ones. They are warm and comforting. “I haven’t been much of a father to you—”
I open my mouth to speak, but he places a finger over my lips.
“Don’t attempt to refute that. We both know it’s the truth. And I need to say this. It’s long overdue.”
I nod, urging him to continue with my eyes.
“I haven’t been in a good place for a long time, Emily. That’s no excuse for not taking proper care of you, for allowing your mother to push both of us around, but I’ve been meeting a therapist, and I’m seeing things more clearly now.”
“Like what?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to get into that now. Just know that things are going to change. Starting with this ridiculous threat your mother is holding over your head. I don’t want to see you sliding back into a dark place again, but threatening you with eviction is not the answer. We failed you two years ago.Ifailed you. And that’s not going to happen again. All I want is for you to be healthy and happy.” He presses his lips to my cheek. “And I want you to know you always have a home with me. I would never let her take home or college away from you.”
“You really mean that, Dad?” I can scarcely believe it.
“I do, honey.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head this time. “But you need to be honest with me too.” He pins me with a serious look. “Are you taking drugs again?”
I vigorously shake my head, and it’s not really a lie, because I haven’t been high in almost two weeks. “I’m clean and sober, Dad.”
His shoulders relax a little. “That’s great, princess. I was a little worried there for a while.”
He’s more observant than I’ve given him credit for.
“And maybe you should consider going for a few therapy sessions. It’s really helped me.”
“I’ll think about it,” I lie, because there’s no way I’m ready to delve into all the shit stored in my head.
“I want you to know you can come to me about anything. I mean it. I know we haven’t had that kind of relationship since you were a little girl, but I am here for you. No judgment. Just support.”
Tears sting the back of my eyes as I launch myself at him, hugging him tight. I hate that I can’t remember the last time we hugged it out. His arms go around me without hesitation, and I cling to him, squeezing my eyes shut and committing this moment to memory.
“How touching.” Mom’s words are laced with venom, and she’s not attempting to disguise it.
We pull apart.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, how about saying nothing at all,” Dad calmly replies.
“Did you have anything to do with this?” she snaps at me, as if Dad hasn’t even spoken.
“To do with what?” I feign innocence, frowning in confusion.
Her eyes narrow to slits and she plants her hands on her slim hips, slanting me with a look of cool disdain.
I think my mother hates me.
Like legit can’t stand me.
And I hate how that affects me. Because she’s a cold-hearted bitch, and I shouldn’t care.
At least I’m not like her. At least I can still feel. Even if the overriding emotion is hurt at her continuous rejection. I stand, and Dad rises too.
