Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Once and for all, he had to decide whether he could deal with it…or not.
Liza couldn’t say which of them withdrew first. She only knew that she lay on one side of her bed and he on the other. She pretended to sleep, but she wasn’t even close. Her heart was close to breaking, and if this was how she felt now, imagine the agony she’d feel once she really invested her heart.
Nope, withdrawal was the smart thing. The right thing. The only thing she could do.
Because Dare would be here now while she was in danger. He’d help her get through this situation and maybe even stick around for the honeymoon period after, when Brian did whatever he could to stay out of trouble. And then, after she fell for him completely, Brian would do something, Liza would have to help him, and Dare wouldn’t be able to understand.
He agreed with her decision, but he didn’t approve. Liza considered those words fair warning and decided to act accordingly.
* * *
Dare met Ethan and Nash for lunch at the Family Restaurant on Thursday afternoon. The restaurant had been Dare’s meeting place with Nash for years. He’d never imagined Ethan would be included in these impromptu luncheons, but he had to admit he was grateful they’d put the past behind them.
The meal consisted of the usual barrage of insults and jokes, serious questions about other things, and of course eating burgers and guzzling soda.
“So Tess wants to go to a party Friday night,” Ethan said, leaning back in the booth.
Dare narrowed his gaze. “What kind of party?”
“House party. She’s been good lately. Grades are excellent, hanging out with Michelle, who’s been a good influence…”
“Kelly mentioned it to me. Is Michelle going to the party?” Nash asked.
Ethan nodded. “Faith’s leaning toward saying yes, rewarding her for good behavior and all that. Kelly agreed with her.”
Dare listened to the conversation and processed the arguments in favor, but his mind had already been made up. “Are you all crazy?”
Ethan met his gaze. “We can’t keep her locked in her room. That’ll just encourage her to sneak around when she starts to feel like we’ll never trust her.”
“And meanwhile, she’s just gotten her previous record expunged. Why would you want to risk something like this?” Dare asked, fists clenched hard.
“Is this her brother talking, or is it the cop in you?” Nash asked.
“Or is it the kid who went to a party and never forgot it?” Ethan asked somberly.
Damn, but his eldest brother was perceptive. Dare glared at him. “Maybe it’s a mixture of all three. All I know is that nothing but trouble can happen at one of these high school parties.” He cocked his head to one side.
“Is it supervised, or is that a stupid question?” Nash asked.
“Not stupid, and surprisingly yes. The parents will be home.”
“Doesn’t matter. If they’re dumb enough to host a party with all the liability these days, I’m not sure that means squat.” Dare leaned his elbows on the cleared-off tabletop.
Ethan exhaled a long breath. “I still say I don’t think we have a choice. I’d rather she know she’s earned our trust. She’ll understand she can call us no matter what happens, and we’ll be there. Better than sneaking out like we used to do.”
Nash stretched his arms over his head and groaned. “Sorry, man,” he said to Dare. “I’m with Ethan. We have to let the kid spread her wings.”
Dare remained silent. Legally, he had no say. Ethan was her guardian, sharing decisions with Kelly. They’d all agreed to it. Dare was just lucky Ethan asked their opinion on big decisions for their new sister.
And maybe, given his background and what he saw on the job, he was ultrasensitive on the subject. “I don’t like it,” he muttered under his breath. “But I appreciate you asking our opinion anyway.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know what can happen at these things. I also know how Tess reacts when she’s feeling trapped and unhappy. I just want to give her a little freedom in exchange for how much she’s come around,” Ethan said.
Dare nodded. “I get it.” He did. But as he’d told Liza the other day, even though he understood, that didn’t mean he approved.
“So any luck tracking down Brian McKnight?” Nash asked, knowing when to change the subject.
Not that this topic was any better, Dare thought. “No. Not yet.”
“So you’re still staying with Liza then?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah.” And wasn’t that a treat? Ever since their terse talk in the car about her brother, he hadn’t had the time to back away so he could consider his options. Liza had done enough pulling back for both of them.
It was as if admitting his inability to truly accept the realities of her life had marked the end in her mind. He fucking hated the distance between them, both in bed and out. But he also knew how unfair it would be for him to push his way past her barriers only to end up back in the same argument later down the road.