Tack went back to whatever he was doing at the counter. Rush moved to slide my mug of coffee on the counter at the stool next to Tab’s then he moved to the opposite counter and leaned his back against it.
I took a stool.
“Okay,” Tabby rushed out, trying to head off the attack, “I know he was older but I liked him, like, a lot. And he was nice. And he was into me and not in a gross way. I didn’t think he’d ever do anything like that. You have to believe that. I wouldn’t have started seein’ him if I thought that.”
“He get you booze?” Tack asked the counter which I thought was a good play. An important question with an uncertain response from him at whatever Tabby’s response would be but not in your face.
“Yeah,” she answered quietly and I sucked in breath.
“Kids drink, Dad,” Rush said carefully, trying to soften the blow for his sister.
God, seriously. I liked that kid.
“Not born yesterday, Rush,” Tack muttered, still talking to the counter before he looked over his shoulder and leveled his eyes on his daughter. “He get in your pants?”
“Dad!” Tabby exclaimed.
“Tack,” I said softly.
“Jesus,” Rush murmured.
“Okay, can we not talk about this?” Tabby asked, sounding mortified.
“Asked you a question, darlin’,” Tack reminded her.
“God,” she muttered, putting an elbow on the counter and her head in her hand, “This is humiliating.”
“Tab,” Tack prompted.
“Handsome, how about you let me talk to her about that later?” I suggested.
“Nope,” Tack replied to me then to Tabby he prompted again, “Tabitha.”
Oh boy.
Tabitha.
She knew what that meant because her head came up.
“No!” she declared vehemently. “Why do you think he hit me?”
Oh boy!
Dragons were awaking, two of them, father and son so I decided to head this off at the pass.
“Right,” I stated and Tabby’s eyes came to me. “It happened, it was a drama that included bloodshed and baseball bats and we’re all lucky it’s over even though we’re not lucky the consequences are bruises, swelling and a hard-earned lesson. But it’s over.” I lifted my hand, wrapped it around Tabby’s neck and leaned into her. “Though, your lessons aren’t,” I whispered.
Tabby sucked breath in through her nose.
I kept going and did it gentle-like.
“Honey, I know you think I broke your trust last night but I didn’t call your Dad. One of the boys did. I also know I lost it and could have handled it better so that’s my lesson to learn. What you need to learn is, I’m with your Dad and it isn’t really cool to ask me to keep anything from him. Not anything. But especially not something to do with you. And especially, especially not when you’re in trouble.”
“I know, Tyra,” she whispered brokenly, “I heard you guys fightin’. That’s on me, too.”
I shook my head. “You have a lot on your plate, Tabby, don’t take that too. Your Dad was angry at me for what I did, not you. Yeah?”
She took in another breath then she nodded.