Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,39

a result.

All three of us keep up with one another, sharing all the major moments of our lives. They’re the only people on the planet, with the exception of Forest, who know about Angel.

Like, they know everything. More than what Forest knows.

We have a group chat and I’ve sought their advice on what to do from the very first day Angel moved into Insanity.

Lucy convinced me to do everything in my power to hold off until Angel turned eighteen. Trevor told me how to do that.

Trevor texts that he’s able to go—and he has a surprise announcement—which brings a grin to my face. I need to update them on the new developments with Angel. But I’ll get to that later, probably when I see them at Lucy’s baby shower.

What the fuck do I get for a baby shower?

Voices rise behind me. I tune them out until I realize it’s Angel and Bash going at it again. A glance at my watch says it took less than five minutes this time.

“I would get a job, but you won’t let me drive.”

Angel didn’t have a driver’s license when she came to live here, but it was one of the first things Bash made sure she got. He was concerned about her feeling too dependent on him and thought having a car would help with that.

Unfortunately, she crashed two cars within the first two weeks of obtaining her license. Funny how I filed that fact away and forgot about it. Here I’ve been obsessing about her for what seems like forever, but forgot that she lost her driving privileges.

“You crashed two cars in two weeks.” Bash’s temper rises as does his voice. “I told you what you needed to do to get your license again. I’m not putting you behind the wheel until you take a driver’s safety class.”

“Those were not my fault.” Angel’s voice rises in frustration. “It’s like you want to keep me trapped in this place. Holding on to me for as long as you can. What if I don’t want that? What if I want to be free?”

“This isn’t a prison. You’re free to go whenever you want, but I’m not letting you leave unless you have a solid plan, a job, plus savings for first and last month’s rent. Not to mention utilities. You’re too damn eager to leave.”

“Does it look like I’m rushing out the door?”

“No, but you should be. When I was your age…”

“Don’t start with that. Nothing about your life is normal. You can’t compare me to being a fucking rock star.”

“Language, young lady.” Bash’s tone turns low, ominous. He’s seconds from blowing his cool.

Why isn’t one of the chick brigade stepping in?

Mitzy cups her coffee, blowing on the hot liquid. Holly says nothing. Her lips press tight together, but she holds her tongue. Noddles leans against the counter, sipping his green grass, while his gaze bounces back and forth between father and daughter.

I’d step in, but I’d step on the wrong side of that argument. Wrong from Bash’s point of view, but right from mine.

“Fuck you. I don’t hear you keeping your mouth clean. You cuss all the damn time.”

“Look, if you want out of here, nobody is stopping you, but you will do it with a plan. Get a job…”

“What if I want to go to school?” Angel stands straighter and juts her chin out, challenging him.

“Have you applied? Because most kids do that at the beginning of their senior year. Not after they’ve already graduated. If that’s something you want to do, then show a little initiative. Get off your ass and…”

“Ugh! You’re impossible. I didn’t apply because I was dealing with other shit in my life. Like burying my dead mother.”

“Look, I get it.” Bash backs down. His voice softens. “But it’s been over a year. At some point, you can’t use your mother’s death as an excuse for not getting on with yours.”

“An excuse?” Angel spits venom. “My mother died. How dare you suggest I’m using her death as an excuse for anything. I lost everything when she died. My mom. My school. My friends. My home!” Angel’s voice rises, and my shoulders lift to my ears.

This is turning ugly.

I want to defend her against Bash, who’s only trying to be the best parent he can be. Which is hard, considering Valerie never let him know he had a daughter. But these are treacherous waters. The last thing Angel needs from me is to take sides with Bash, but I