Protecting Lucianna by Tiffani Lynn

Author:Tiffani Lynn [Lynn, Tiffani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aces Press, LLC
Published: 2019-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Devlin

I’m still riding the high of the teenager-like make-out session with Lucianna when I enter my house as quietly as I can. I’m shocked to find my dad sitting in his recliner with the television still on. It’s well past midnight and he’s usually a man who is in bed by ten thirty every night. There is a half-empty glass of scotch sitting next to him on the end table. His eyes meet mine as I round the couch. “Have a seat, Dev. We need to talk.”

“Yes, sir.” I still haven’t lost the manners my mother practically beat into me as a kid.

“Where have you been all day?” His question is more accusatory than a pry for information.

“Down in the historic district and at the beach. Why? I’m a grown man. I didn’t realize I had a curfew.”

“You don’t, but your mother and I have only seen you a handful of times since you left here eleven years ago and we were hoping to actually see you while you are here.”

“You don’t get it, Dad.”

His eyebrows hit his hairline and he leans forward in his chair. “I don’t get it?” he asks incredulously, his voice rising. “Oh, I get it. Better than you. I not only lost my daughter, I also lost my son twelve years ago. The day Briana died you did too, or at least the fun-loving son I once knew, and it’s my fault. I should never have let her spend all that time with you. You were a teenage boy with so many distractions. It wasn’t right, allowing her to tag along everywhere you went. I should have insisted she find friends her own age. It was just easier than arguing with her, and because I hated to say no to my baby girl, she’s gone and so are you.”

My body stiffens in shock. He blames himself for allowing her to be my sidekick?

“Dad, it’s my fault. I take sole responsibility. I should have been watching her. I know those rip currents can take even the best of swimmers. It was my responsibility, not yours. I liked having her around. Loved it actually. I was the one who let some little beach bunny draw my attention away from the water for too long. I don’t even remember that chick’s name, Dad, damn.”

My dad stands and approaches me. “Stand up, son.” Warily, I do as I’m told. “It wasn’t your fault. She was a strong swimmer, grew up on the beach. I never in a million years thought that could happen to either one of you. When your mom and I took her to the beach, I didn’t always watch her because I assumed she could handle herself. But that wasn’t right. She was only a skinny teenage girl. It could have been any one of us with her that day and it still would have happened. Don’t you see that?”

“No, Dad, because she was my responsibility!” I yell, trying to make him understand it was my fault.

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