Chapter 12
Violet
My dad stares at me in Brody’s arms. My lips are swollen from the guys’ kisses. I feel guilty, guilty, guilty. I lied. And now I’m caught in that lie.
And—what’s Mikayla doing here with my dad?
“Dad—um, hi. What—why—?”
He stares down Brody and Heath. “Come here, Violet. We’re leaving.”
Brody takes a step away from me. Why? I can’t help but feel hurt at the lack of contact. I reach for Brody’s hand and I’m reassured when he gives me a gentle squeeze.
“Dad.” I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere. I want to be here.”
“This is inappropriate and wrong.” He releases a furious exhale. “I expected better from my former friends. You shouldn’t be here with them. They’re too old for you, and far too experienced—”
“Mason—” Heath begins.
“Don’t fucking talk to me.” Dad slices a hand through the air. “Never again. We’re done. I’m taking my daughter and we’re leaving. And the two of you will pack your things and leave. Today.”
Tears spring to my eyes. I wipe them away, irritated that I cry when overwhelmed.
I’m not sad, I’m just…angry. Confused. I can’t believe our idyllic Christmas has been interrupted by so much hate.
“Dad, stop—there’s nothing bad about what we’re doing here.
I’m staying. You can go. Or if they go, I’m going with them. ”
His brown eyes are beseeching. “I’m not leaving you alone with them, Violet. They’re predators.”
“Predators? No way. And I’m not leaving with you.” I don’t like how I sound—petulant, childish. “I love you, Dad, but you’re wrong about this.”
“Violet?” Mikayla’s voice is soft, hesitant. “Maybe you’d agree to talk to your dad alone? I think he just wants to make sure you’re safe.”
She’s the voice of reason when all reason seems to have left the cabin.
I lock gazes with my dad. “I could do that.”
“Yes.” He sends a strange look toward Mikayla. “Let’s talk alone. Kitchen?”
“Sure.” I sigh. This is too much emotion to handle. Everyone’s upset, and all I want to do is dive into bed and hide under the covers until the storm passes.
Dad walks into the kitchen, not looking at his friends. Or former friends? Did I just ruin their years-long friendship?
Brody and Heath have been quiet this whole time, their jaws set, their fists clenched firmly at their sides. But as I walk from the room, Heath catches my eye. He gives me a soft smile and whispers, “We love you, angel. Never forget that.”
Mikayla hesitates. “Should I stay…?”
“You can come, too.” I gesture her into the kitchen.
It wouldn’t hurt to have an ally who understands me.
Dad understands, but he doesn’t know me the same way Mikayla does.
He can’t articulate my feelings like she can, and even if he could, he’s blinded in this situation.
I may not be great at conflict, but even I can recognize this.
Mikayla and I walk in together.
Dad stands over the sink, looking out over the snow-covered deck behind the house. His shoulders rise up and down with his breaths. He faces away as he speaks. “Violet, first—I love you. I love you so goddamn much, words can’t even express it. You’re my little girl and you always will be.”
“I know, Dad. I love you, too.”
He turns around to face me. “So when I want you to leave with me, it’s because I don’t trust those men with you. They’re into some very unsavory things—”
Mikayla coughs.
“I’m an adult.” I pat Mikayla’s back and get her a glass of water.
The rush of cool water into the cup is a welcome distraction.
Once she’s set, I continue talking. “Anything I don’t want to do, I know how to tell someone to stop.
The last person I dated was my age, and to be honest, Dad, that relationship was the most harmful one I’ve been in. ”
“So you broke up with Callum.”
“Yeah. Do you think I’d be here with Brody and Heath otherwise?”
“No, of course not. I was just confused.” He frowns. “You lied to me on the phone. You said you were with Mikayla. I don’t recognize you right now, Vi.”
Mikayla speaks up. “Mr. Clark, she probably lied because she was afraid of this very argument.” She turns to me. “This is new, right? With Brody and Heath?”
“Very new. Since I only broke up with Callum three days ago.”
“So you haven’t had a chance to tell your dad about your new relationship. You hadn’t even told me.” She sounds almost like an attorney, giving a reasonable argument for the benefit of the judge and jury.
“Exactly,” I say.
“Some relationships aren’t wise,” Dad says. “This is one of them.”
More tears spring to my eyes. Again, I blink them away. “You don’t understand. I love them. They love me.”
“Vi.” Dad’s voice breaks. “I want a healthy relationship for you.”
“How about what I want? I want them.”
“Relationships take all different forms, Mr. Clark.” Mikayla says the words casually, but I can hear her censure. She wants him to know he’s in the wrong.
Dad runs a hand through his hair. It’s light brown, the same color as mine, but there are threads of silver at the temples.
He scowls at Mikayla before redirecting his ire toward the kitchen door and, I think, Brody and Heath beyond it.
“I know relationships take different forms. I just want better for you, Violet.”
“But this is better.” I take a few steps toward him and reach for his hand. “You have to believe me, Dad. The feelings are strong. And I know it’s fast, but it’s real. It’s the most real thing to happen to me.”
His dark brown eyes stare into mine. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything or anyone.”
He nods. “I’ll lose you if I fight you on this.”
I don’t even want to consider it. “Please don’t fight me on this.”
“I won’t. I love you, Violet.”
“I love you, too. Do you want to stay for the day? We don’t have gifts or anything, but there’s plenty of food.”
“No. I need to get home. I—” He shakes his head.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I have to pack up Retta’s stuff. She’s, well…we’re splitting up.”
Mikayla and I both gasp in shock.
I hurry forward and hug him. “Dad, you shouldn’t be alone on Christmas—”
He smiles. “It’s fine.”
It isn’t fine. He really loved Retta. It was easy to see. He doted on her. He changed his whole life to suit hers. And now they’re splitting up on Christmas, of all times? I squeeze his hand. “Let’s have breakfast together, at least?”
He shoots a look at Mikayla. “Should you get back to Jonah?”
“I can stay for breakfast.” She grins at me. “I need to get to know my bestie’s new boyfriends, after all.”
My boyfriends. I can’t believe I went from getting dumped by a dud, to finding two amazing boyfriends.
Brody makes pancakes, and Heath pops a quiche in the oven.
Breakfast starts off quiet, without much conversation.
But Brody and Heath are attentive to me, respectful of Dad, and kind to my friend.
Mikayla is charmed by them. We talk about plans for the future.
Luckily, they both live in San Esteban because they work for Ironwood.
“Are you moving in together?” Dad narrows his eyes at them.
“Whenever Violet is ready,” Heath says without hesitation.
Everyone looks at me. I clear my throat. “Not right away. I think we should date first.”
Dad seems satisfied. Mikayla nods her approval, as well.
By the time we’re finished with breakfast, Dad seems to have relaxed.
“I should probably get Mikayla home,” he says. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“Thank you for hearing us out.” Brody meets his gaze across the table. “We really, truly love Violet. We’ll move at her pace.”
Dad nods. It isn’t up to him how fast or slow we go, but he seems to appreciate the reassurance.
We all get up and make our way to the door.
“All green flags,” Mikayla says, squeezing my hand. “See you in a couple of days?”
“Yeah. Thanks for being here, and helping my dad with all this.”
“I’m glad I could help.” She pulls me into a big hug.
I say goodbye to my dad next. He stands by the door, surveying the living room, our undecorated tree, the crackling fire in the fireplace. I try to see it from his point of view, and it appears wholesome and happy to me.
He hugs me tight. “I love you so much, Vi. None of that changes. The guys are besotted with you, which isn’t a surprise.”
“I’m besotted with them, too.”
“Then you have my blessing.”
Tears prick my eyes once more, but this time, they’re happy tears.