She pulled up to the school and turned to her sister. “Good luck on your English test.”
Brynn grabbed her backpack off the floor. “It’s a biology test and thanks.”
“Right, sorry.” Allie had English on the brain.
Brynn stepped out of the car and slipped the pack on her shoulder before leaning her head back inside. “Are you going to pick me up after school?”
“I might be out with Mags, so maybe Simmons will have to pick you up?”
Brynn’s face turned almost purple. “’Kay.” She slammed the door and trotted into the building.
Oh no. Brynn had it bad for Simmons. Allie closed her eyes. She couldn’t worry about Brynn’s crush right now either. She needed to deal with her dad before he left for work.
She pulled out of the school lot and drove home. Without bothering to knock, Allie walked into the house and found her dad whistling to himself in the kitchen. His salt-and-pepper hair had been freshly cut, and his cheeks were smooth and stubble free for a change.
“Hey,” she said, placing her keys on the counter.
He stopped pouring coffee into a travel mug and set down the pot. “How’s Brynn?” He grinned at her.
“Seriously? Your middle daughter drops out of high school and moves in with her boyfriend. Your youngest daughter runs away, and you’re ‘how’s Brynn’?” She hadn’t meant to start with accusations, but damn it, she was pissed. He acted like he didn’t have a care in the world.
The smile slid off his face. “I didn’t know she was gone because she sneaked out. And she’s going to be punished for it when she gets home.”
“Why? You never punished Monica. Besides, she doesn’t need punishment, she needs your attention.”
He picked up the carafe of coffee and continued to fill his mug. “I made mistakes with Mon, and I don’t plan to repeat them with Brynn. Besides, Monica’s an adult. Karen thinks we should give Brynn some space right now, but she needs boundaries and consequences.”
“Karen thinks she needs boundaries? Brynn’s guidance counselor?” She crossed her arms, felt her muscles lock in place. “Well, Karen can fuck off.”
Brian moved toward her, his lips pressed into a thin line, his finger in Allie’s face. “You don’t talk to me like that. This is my house and I’m still your dad. My private life isn’t any of your business.” He dropped his hand, took a deep breath, and stepped back.
His house? It wouldn’t be his house if she hadn’t agreed to sleep with Trevor. And it wasn’t her business? Everything that happened to this family was her concern. Pain spread through her chest—but that pain quickly turned to anger. “No, Dad, it became my business when I moved back home and started taking care of Mom, the girls, the house.” She uncrossed her arms and waved them around the kitchen. “I’ve been holding this family together because you’ve been too wrecked to do it. I came over yesterday—you couldn’t even take out the goddamned trash. Suddenly, you’re talking about boundaries?” She shoved a finger into her chest. “I’ve been picking up the slack around here, not you. I’ve been making all the tough choices. So, yeah, I think I’m entitled to have an opinion. And dating Brynn’s guidance counselor when Mom just died? Not cool.”
She had given up everything for this family, and now that he had a girlfriend, Allie’s sacrifice didn’t matter. She’d had to make the hard decisions while he dealt with his grief. But apparently, his grieving time was over and he’d replaced Allie’s mom so fast it was a slap in the face.
He scrubbed his hands over his cheeks and then stuck them in the pockets of his faded jeans. “I know I haven’t been acting like much of a father lately. I’ve put too much on you, Al. Parentalizing you, Karen calls it, making you the parent instead of me. I’m sorry about that.”
She shook her head and pressed her lips together. It was like looking at a stranger. What was wrong with him? “So, you’re talking about our family to your new girlfriend?” She pivoted on her heel and began moving from the fridge to the back door. She had gone all in and lost. Her dad was moving on, Monica was a disaster, and Brynn would be subjected to a woman she couldn’t stand. Allie’d made this deal with Trevor—for what? None of it mattered.
She turned to her father. “Brynn doesn’t want this. Don’t you care about that? Think about how she’s going to feel with a new woman around here, telling her what to do, psychoanalyzing everything she does. You barely paid her any attention in the last six months, now all of your attention is going to be on this Karen.” She was panting and her throat felt tight.
He sighed and shook his head. “Brynn will come around. Karen’s a nice lady, and I really like her. She makes me happy.”
Allie laughed bitterly. “Happy? Who’s fucking happy?” Tears filled her eyes, and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. “You know what? You’re selfish—”
“I’m selfish? How the hell am I selfish, Allison?” He unpocketed his hands, thrust them toward her. “I watched the woman I love die. Slowly, painfully. For five long years.” Tears began rolling from his bloodshot eyes. “I can only hope and pray that Monica comes to her senses, but I can’t force her to come home. I know I’ve been unfair to you, burdening you, and all right, that was selfish. But wanting to move on with my life? Wanting to find love again?”
Allie wiped the back of her hand across her nose. “No, you need to care about your family for once. Maybe focus on your daughters for a change. But you only care about your sex life and that makes you worse than selfish, Dad. And Brynn can stay with me as long as she likes, since I’m the only one who gives a damn.” She ran out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter 13
“What do you think of Allie’s dress, dearest?” Mags sauntered into the office.
Trevor glanced up from the computer screen. “Sorry?”
Mags held a dress by the hanger. “Allie’s dress? For the wedding?”
“She’s wearing white? I thought that was the bride’s prerogative. Look, I’m very busy. I don’t have time for this right now.”
She held the dress in front of her and examined it. “I’m tired of white. I’m wearing red this time. Plus, Allie looks stunning in it.”
“Mmm hmm.” Trevor dismissed her and the wedding from his mind and returned to the stock analysis.
“Although, I think Allie would make a lovely bride.”
There was always the risk in buying a stock on its way down. Most likely it would go lower still, but Trevor always trusted his gut and his gut told him to buy.
“I want to be a grandmother.”
He bought a few hundred shares, sat back, and smiled. He didn’t care for gambling in the casinos that much, but he loved gambling in the market. It was a rush to prove the experts wrong.
“How many do you think you’ll have?” she asked.
What was she on about? Oh yes, Allie’s dress. “What does Allie think?”
Mags glided into a chair. “How would I know, darling?”
“Well, didn’t you have her try it on?”
With her head tilted to one side, Mags smiled. “You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said, have you? Just like your father.”
He pierced her with a look. “I’m nothing like him.”
“Oh, darling, why can’t you forgive him?”
“I don’t wish to discuss this. As I’ve said, I’m busy.” He clicked his mouse, shifted to another monitor, and looked at the cost projections for a design team that wanted to borrow money. Didn’t seem like a good fit.
“He’s made mistakes. But he’s sorry. Do make up with him.”
“He married Anna. I’m not likely to forgive that any time soon.”
Mags flicked her fingers. “I’m not thrilled with his choice either, but you and Anna had broken up.”