don’t need to worry about that.”
“Tazen…”
“You don’t,” he leans in closer, “need to worry about that.”
I swallow and nod weakly, so humbled by his help. He reaches out, capturing my hand. “Get your purse, baby. He needs you right about now.”
I do as he asks, and get my purse.
Then I take his hand and we take my dad to get the help he needs.
Finally.
* * *
Tazen and I take Dad to the rehab center. I’m still uncomfortable about the entire situation. I’m still upset and confused over what happened between Dad and me, but I’m also uncomfortable with the fact that Tazen is paying for it. I mean sure, we’ve got something solid between us but it is such a massive expense.
I would have found a way though, even if he didn’t. After what happened, I know this is the only place Dad can be now. I have a pain etched deep down in my heart at the thought of him being alone, but I no longer have a deep sense of guilt. He needs this place, and I need to figure out how to live my own life. I won’t sell his shack, I’ll clean it up with the money from the sale of the garage so when he gets out he has a place to live.
Me … I’m finding my own place.
It’s time for me to move on.
Dad tells Tazen and me that he doesn’t want us to take him inside, that he would rather do it alone. That hurts me, but I don’t argue. I don’t have it in me to argue. When he hugs me, I’m stiff as a board, but I manage to pat his back lamely. I don’t cry, in fact, I’m not sure I have any tears left. He hurt me, he stole something from me I’m not sure I’ll get back easily. I need time to process all of that.
“Good luck,” I say. It’s all I can say.
“I’m sorry, Quinnie,” he says on a whisper. “I’ll prove to you I want to change.”
I nod. “I hope so, Dad.”
I watch my father disappear inside the large building and then I turn to Tazen. I don’t know what my expression says, but it must say a lot because he reaches out and cups my jaw in his hands. He steps closer, treating me as if I’m china and I’m about to break. “Are you doin’ okay there, angel?”
I look up into his eyes. “It’s the best thing for him.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
I look away, but he tilts my head so I’m forced to meet his eyes again. “I’ll be okay, Tazen.”
“Are we going to have problems with me doing this?”
I sigh. “I can’t let you pay for something like that … we’re together, yes, but … that’s a lot of money.”
I hesitate and he jumps in.
“I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to pay attention because I won’t say it again. First, I make more money than you could begin to imagine, so the expense for this is nothing to me and it’s the least I can do after buying out the garage.”
My heart swells. It swells and explodes.
“Second,” he goes on. “I’ve been in your situation, angel. You might not know it looking at me, but I know how it feels to live in a difficult situation…”
Now my interest is piqued, but I say nothing and let him continue.
“Third.” He leans in close, pulling me to him. “I’ve had a lot of women but none of them have managed to get under my skin the way you have. You drive me batshit crazy and make me feel fucking incredible all at the same time. I don’t know if we’ll go far, I don’t know if it’ll last, but I hope to god it does because you’re changing me. I need that to be enough for you right now. I need you to let me help.”
Something beautiful and warm explodes in my chest, something that coats all the ugly and makes me feel something I haven’t felt in my entire life … joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. And I want more of it. I want as much as I can take. So, with a smile, I say the only thing I can, “Tazen Watts … are you officially asking me to go steady?”
He bursts out laughing.
I think that’s a yes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
It’s been two weeks since Dad went in and started his long road to recovery. He hasn’t called me. The nurses