39. Dan
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
DAN
Midnight and I’m lying in bed, empty inside as I stare at the ceiling with the room drowned in a dull neon blue glow. I’m startled out of my blackhole of thoughts when someone knocks on my door again. For fuck’s sake.
“Dan, are you home?”
I sit up instantly, recognizing Ally’s voice, and rush to the door. Before I get there, keys rattle in the lock and Ally steps inside with Daxton right behind her. She’s in her pajamas and her eyes are red from crying. The moment Ally sees me, she runs into my arms, and I’ve never been so relieved.
I hold Ally tight, lifting her from the ground and burying my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. She clings to me just as urgently, murmuring over and over again that she’s sorry. What she’s apologizing for, I don’t know. I don’t care. All that matters is she’s here with me, in my arms where she belongs.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper, stroking her hair. “Everything is going to be all right.”
“I love you. I wanted to talk to you but didn’t have my phone. Our parents…” Her voice breaks and she starts sobbing into my chest. “Dan, it’s been horrible.”
“I can only imagine. We’re together now. Nothing else matters.”
I’m so wrapped up in Ally that I forget we’re not alone until Daxton places a suitcase inside the doorway and clears his throat. “Things got messy between Ally and your parents. I brought her here because I could see everything turning far worse if she stayed.”
“Thank you.” I nod at Daxton.
“I should be on my way. Ally, I know your mom and Josh didn’t behave right, but they’re good people. You know they love you both very much.”
Didn’t behave right? That’s a big statement, coming from Daxton. “What the fuck happened?”
“It’s late. I’ll give you two some privacy and let Ally fill you in on the details. Ally, just remember they’re processing the news of you and Dan in their own way, but they’ll come around to accepting you two. Take the space from them you need, whether it’s a week or a month or however long it takes until you can all have a civilized conversation.”
Ally turns in my arms to face Daxton. “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Anything for you, kid. If you two need anything, I’m only a phone call away.”
She sinks back into my chest the moment Daxton is gone. “I left my phone at the benefit. I didn’t know how to contact you for an entire day, and then I found that not only did our parents have my phone and were hiding it from me, but they’d sent you a message, pretending to be me, asking you to stay away.”
I lean back from Ally to look her in the eyes, astounded by her words. Deep down, I knew that message couldn’t have been genuine.
“I confronted them and we got into a fight. I was yelling and…”
“ You were yelling?”
Her lips twitch and she gives the softest laugh. “Yeah. It felt kind of good.”
I can feel myself smirking. “I would have loved to have witnessed that.”
She returns her head to my chest. “I should have stayed by your side last night. I’m sorry. I was in shock and wasn’t thinking straight. Mom and Josh were so angry and disgusted and… I thought I could try to explain things to them. I was embarrassed I’d been caught with you and… I’m sorry. Dan, I’m so sorry. I’m not embarrassed anymore. I’m proud to be yours. I’m through with trying to please them and being the girl they want me to be.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. We’re together and that’s all I care about.” I kiss her forehead. “You belong here with me, Ally. Let me run you a warm bath to relax.”
“Only if you’re planning on getting in it with me.”
I grab her ass and press her hips to mine. “Obviously, Queen.”