Chapter 28
POV: Abby?
I was on the opening shift today, and truthfully, I’d never felt this good.
Dad wasn’t due at the bar until evening, which meant a few hours free from his scolding—and things with Cole were going better than ever.
And I was happy. Uncontrollably happy.
I spent the last few hours cleaning glasses, cutting lemons and limes, stocking up spirits and beers, and preparing myself for the evening crowd.
Business was slow, and my eyes kept fixating on the door as if I was waiting for Cole to walk through it, though I knew better.
Cole had an entire ranch and farm to run. He wouldn’t be here for a few hours, if that.
Then the voice came from behind me.
My dad’s voice.
And he didn’t sound happy.
“Abby, we need to talk.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes. “I’m working, dad.”
His voice deepened. “The back office. Now.”
I let out a heavy breath but followed and when I closed the door behind me and turned towards him, he looked pissed.
Leave it to me to make a situation worse. So I said, “Go on, dad! Give me your best speech!”
He sat down in the chair behind his desk and shook his head. “I’m not trying to scold you like a child, Abby. I’m just trying to help you. I don’t want to see you make a mistake that could ruin your life.”
“Like what, dad? How is going out with a man you don’t approve of—when I’m an adult, considered ruining my life?” I scoffed.
He leaned forward, his gaze softening. “It goes beyond that, Abby.”
I scoffed. “How so?”
His tone lowered. “Because you could end up pregnant.”
I laughed, actually laughed. “I’m not pregnant, dad, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Well at least that’s assuring,” he replied, pausing. “But one day you could end up pregnant and just think about that. A man like Cole won’t make a good father or husband and I’m certain even he realizes that.”
I squeezed my eyes tightly shut and shook my head in disbelief. “You don’t know a damn thing about Cole, dad.”
“I know men like him, Abs.”
I folded my arms against my chest. “You don’t even know who Cole is, dad!” I shook my head in disbelief before stomping off. “I’m going back to work! Thanks for the scolding!”
I was exhausted from listening to him talk about things he didn’t understand, from being treated like a child, from his presumption that he knew anything about Cole.
Because I knew him.
I saw that he was capable of change. I saw that he was actually trying to make this relationship work. I saw the side of him that he hid away from the rest of the world.
As I exited the side door and made my way back into the bar, Cole walked in and I cursed under my breath. He picked the perfect time, especially when my father was all hot and bothered.
Cole slid into a seat in the dead center of the bar.
I walked over to him, leaning over the countertop and whispering, “my dad’s in a shitty mood today.”
Cole raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “About?”
“About us,” I whispered, looking at him. “He still thinks you’re not the right guy for me.”
I expected Cole to say something, a denial of some kind but instead he just sat there quietly.
“Looks like you’re speechless,” I gave him a look before straightening my shoulders and crossing my arms. “Whatever, I’m getting back to work. Don’t be surprised if my father glares at you all night.”
I was used to Cole’s coldness—to his silence—to his indifference with some things, but I hadn’t gotten used to the way he always just sat silent when it came to matters with my father.
30 minutes later, Dad emerged back into the main bar, and his gaze immediately met Cole’s.
I had hoped Dad wouldn’t make a scene—this was his bar, after all but the way he marched straight toward him made it clear my hope was pointless.
“Dad,” I replied, following him as he walked straight up to Cole.
“I thought you had some decency in you, Cole,” my dad said with hardened eyes.
“I thought you would’ve stopped this by now, what you’re doing with my daughter, but I guess I was wrong. For Abby’s sake, you need to let her go. She’s young, impressionable and has a future ahead of her.
Go fuck around with some other woman but don’t you go fucking around with my daughter and her life. I worked too hard after her mother died to give her a good life and she worked too hard to throw it away on you. She deserves better. You know that and I do, too.
Hopefully this will be the last time I have to tell you this.”
Luckily, it was still before our big rush and there were only half a dozen locals inside the bar listening to that outburst.
Before I could even say a word, my father turned and walked back to the other side of the bar.
I looked at Cole, but his face was emotionless as it always was.
“You couldn’t have said anything?” I scoffed, staring at Cole.
He didn’t respond.
“You couldn’t tell him that he’s wrong?” I scoffed in disbelief. “You just sat there and let him tell you that you’re a prick who’s been using his daughter! God, Cole.” I shook my head then walked away back towards my father.
“Dad, you can’t do things like that!”
He didn’t turn to look at me, instead he just kept serving the customers. “Abby, not now.”
“Yes, dad! Right now! You just let the entire bar know about my personal life so we might as well do this here!” I yelled, causing him to turn towards me and point to the back door.
When the door shut on us, I really let him have it. “You’re horrible, dad—you truly are!”
But instead of shame, he just looked vindicated. “He didn’t have anything to say, Abby. You know as well as I do what that means. He’s guilty.”
“He’s not guilty, dad!” I screamed, my voice shaking. “He cares about me and I care about him! Why is that so hard for you to see?”
My father shook his head, stubbornly. “He isn’t interested in a family. You need to see that.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I cannot believe you.” Then I turned on my heels and went back to the bar.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Cole staring at me when I served the male customers or when my dress lifted a little too high. But I didn’t bother to look at him back. He didn’t deserve that, not after his silence.
After an hour of ignoring Cole, purposefully, he finally stopped me for another glass of whiskey.
“Oh, so he drinks but doesn’t speak?” I scoffed, picking up the glass, refilling it then sliding it back towards him. “I can’t believe you let my father’s words control you.”
Cole looked at me but did not speak.
His gaze was intense, as always, but there was something beneath his eyes, hurt.
Even though my words were harsh, I knew I needed to say them.
I waited for him to say something, anything but he just kept staring at me.
“Fine, Cole. Be mute. Say nothing. That only proves my father right.”
I walked away from him without another word.