Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Dakota
A knock sounds at the door, breaking my spiraling thoughts.
I’ve been folding my clothes in Cooper’s room for the last thirty minutes.
After he left, I got busy. The less time I spent thinking about the kiss that altered my brain chemistry and the fact that he wants me to sleep next to him every night the better off I’ll be.
I remind myself that this is for Ari. I can do this for her.
He hasn’t made a move on me in fifteen years.
He’s not going to start now. Not like I would accept it anyway.
His friendship means too much to me, and at some point, I’d let him down.
His family down, and there just wasn’t a part of me that could chance it. Not with my track record.
I drop one of my favorite hoodies before I hustle to the door.
“It’s us!” Ivy calls as she steps in.
“How was ice cream?” I ask as Ari walks farther into the room.
“Fire.” She says before heading to the hallway. “Thanks, Ivy.” She looks to me. “Is it ok if I go back here and draw?”
“Sure.”
I make a mental note to get her more supplies. I’ve seen her doodling in a notepad all week.
When she disappears down the hall, I peer over at Ivy. “Fire?”
“It means good,” she offers. “I had to ask too.”
I chuckle, moving to the kitchen. “Thank you for taking her. Need anything to drink?”
“I’m good. Maddox is waiting in the truck.” She taps her fingers on the island, hovering next to a barstool.
“Ivy.” I brace a hand on the counter. “Spit it out.”
“He kissed you,” she blurts.
“Was it that obvious?” I tease.
She laughs. “I thought he was going to swallow your face.”
I feign annoyance. “He thought it was a nice touch.”
“It was a touch alright,” she quips.
I reach for a dirty cup in the sink, trying to keep myself from blushing. “You know Coop. He takes his roles seriously. Remember when he was Peter Pan in the high school play?”
“Oh my God.” She leans her head back on a laugh. “Ryder never let him live those green tights down.”
“Neither did I.” I grin.
Her smile fades, and her eyes turn soft. “You know, it wouldn’t be so bad if this was…. real.”
I freeze, my hands resting under the cold faucet. “Ivy….”
She lifts her palms. “I’m not meddling. I just want you both to be happy. And if this is something that would make you happy….”
I flip off the faucet. “You know I love him. He’s always been there for me, but I’m not….” I pause, trying to put how I feel into words. “He deserves the best.”
She tilts her head to the side. “And what makes you think you aren’t?”
My phone buzzes on the counter, dragging my attention away for a split second. When I see the name flashing across the screen, my entire body stills.
Bzzzz.Bzzz.
I blink, my vision growing blurry. I know I shouldn’t answer. I know he doesn’t deserve my time. My breath. But there’s always that little voice in my head. That voice that guilts me into picking up the phone. Guilt that eats at my soul. He’s in there because of you.
My shaky hand reaches for my cell, my pulse thudding as I hit accept. The recorded voice comes on the other end of the line. You have a collect call from Cove County Correctional Facility from Billy Sterling. Press one to accept.
I grip the edge of the counter, while Ivy moves quickly toward me, her expression worried.
I bring the phone down, pressing the number one with an unsteady hand. Lifting it back to my ear, I hold my breath.
“Dakota.” His voice flows through the phone, the tone just as berating as it’s always been.
“Billy,” I grind out.
“Got good news.” He chuckles, the rasp causing my skin to crawl. “Daddy’s coming home.”
And just like that, when I thought everything would be falling into place, suddenly, it was falling apart.