Within Reach by Talie D. Hawkins

Author:Talie D. Hawkins [Hawkins, Talie D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

I jumped a little when I heard my dad slam the door and I braced myself for what would come next. I was already sitting at the kitchen table and ready. “What the hell could you possibly have been thinking?” he yelled as he furiously paced the kitchen floor. He didn’t actually wait for an answer. “Slashing your tires is personal. Who the hell knows what he had planned tonight?”

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Jesus,” he said just before punching the wall.

“Thanks for making sure I could defend myself.”

He looked down at me, clearly exhausted, and finally sat down in the chair across from me. “Your mom was tiny like you,” he said in a far away voice. He was remembering something I couldn’t and I envied him for it. “Beautiful like you too. I saw so many dirtbags try to take advantage of her. They thought they could get away with anything because she seemed so delicate.” Hearing him say that word reminded me of Riley saying it to me. “I knew I couldn’t have that for you. I needed to make sure you were safe all the time. I hoped and prayed you’d never have to put it to use, but here we are.” He leaned back against his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “What about the other guy?”

“Who? Riley?”

“He told the cops he showed up to make sure you were safe.” I had to hold back a little smile.

“Yeah, he’s a good friend.” My dad stared at me and let out a single laugh.

“Friend.” He didn’t elaborate. He just shook his head instead. “My nerves are shot. I need a beer.” He didn’t wait for permission. “I’m locking up and going to bed,” he said as he used the bottle opener he had mounted to the wall. I decided he had the right idea and got myself ready for bed as well. As soon as my head hit the pillow my phone rang. It was Gwen.

“So, literally, WTF?” was how she greeted me.

“Riley called you?”

“God, who knew Chris was such a scummy ass wipe?” I could hear her stuffing a bite of something in her mouth.

“Probably his mom.”

“But you’re okay? Riley insisted I call and make sure you are.” I smiled again at the thought of his concern.

“Yep.”

“Okay. See you in the morning.”

I got comfy and picked up the book on my night stand, but my phone wasn’t done with me just yet. I got one more text and this one was from Riley.

You owe me a new shirt.

How do you figure?

This one is stained with mascara.

Goodnight, Riley.

He didn’t reply and that was fine because my eyes felt like they each had a ten pound weight on top of them. I knew I’d be dragging in the morning so I snagged as many precious hours of sleep possible.

After several hits to my snooze button I finally managed to get myself sitting upright. I rubbed my eyes and walked like a mummy to my bathroom to start getting ready.

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