Sweet Little Lies (Dirty Little Lies Duet #2) - J.D. Hollyfield Page 0,44

realizing my error in judgment. Now, not only is it not the time for a confession, but Gabriel is right; he won’t take this news lightly.

Shaking off my insanity, I reroute my thoughts. “I’m saying it may take some time—and be fucking weird since my roommate and best friend is your girlfriend—but if you love her and she loves you, you have my blessing.” Accept them now, confess later. I can’t expect him to approve of my sins if I’m not willing to be open to his.

“Thank you.” He hugs me tight, and I bask in the familiar smell of my dad, missing these small moments. I wonder if Violet appreciates him. Knows just how amazing he is. How broody he can be. How, when I was little, I used to refer to him as the gentle giant. His large hands were always too big to maneuver around tiny Band-Aids, so I would have to help him. I pull back, feeling more guilt and regret at his unshed tears. He truly does love her.

I kiss him goodbye, telling him I’m going to go find an officer and give them the evidence in hopes they can use it. I’m glad our lunatic professor is dead and can no longer hurt anyone else. I walk out of the room, but not before seeing my dad whisper sweet words to Violet and kiss the inside of her wrist. A ping of jealousy forms in my chest at what they have. They are over the biggest hurdle. I wish beyond anything Gabriel and I make it to that.

Hazel

Two weeks later…

Life works in mysterious ways. Forgiveness has more significant power over regret. Violet is going to be okay. Not without a lot of therapy and healing, but she will pull through. When I finally got to be alone with her, so many tears were shed, I might be cried out for eternity.

I felt like she was taking the words right out of my mouth when she explained how she and my dad came to be. I thought about telling her why I understood and fully accepted them, but I wasn’t ready to confess my own sins. I gave her my blessing even though I know it’s going to be super weird. He’s my dad, and she’s my roommate. But how much more awkward can it be when I attempt to explain that my dad’s best friend is my person?

Dad stepped up and took control of all of Violet’s medical care and finances. Her mother is a massive cunt and refused to help her, which caused my dad’s ruthless side to come out. He threatened if she ever came near Violet again, he’d slap a restraining order on her. It was actually kind of cute to see him so wrapped up in something other than work or myself. It’s been a long time since my dad has shown this kind of affection, and I admire that. As strange as it was at first, the weirdness faded just as quickly when I saw them together and really understood how much they genuinely love each other.

I can’t deny there is still some lingering jealousy. They can finally be open with their relationship, which makes me want to come clean so I don’t have to hide behind my own lies. After how I acted with my dad, a part of me feels like I’m betraying him with this secret. That the longer I wait, the worse it will be. Some days I wish I could rewind time and go back to the hospital and fess up.

I just want what they have: an open, free relationship. Not that it’s all bells and whistles. A taboo relationship has its downfalls. It doesn’t sit well with some people, one being Violet’s mother. That bitch dared to try to throw herself at my dad and take him away from Violet. I laugh every time she tells me the story, but deep inside, envy burns at the thought of anybody trying to take Gabriel from me.

Speaking of Gabriel, it was easy to sneak away and spend nights with him since my dad was preoccupied with all things Violet. But that quickly came to an end, and unlike Violet, who got leeway with her instructors, if I had any chance of keeping up my grades, I had to go back to school.

Since then, we’ve stuck to his rules. Twice a week, he takes my body to a whole new level of pleasure, and on the