One More Time (Ruby Falls #2) - Aurora Rose Reynolds Page 0,70
I think you might have gotten through to her,” Gia says quietly, and I drag in a deep breath, thinking, I fucking hope so.
Chapter 20
Aria
LYING AGAINST TIDE’S chest with empty Chinese food containers, beer bottles, and cupcake wrappers on the coffee table, my eyes drift closed as he plays with my hair while he watches the football game on TV. It’s been two weeks since Halloween, two weeks since he told me about what happened with Anna and her reaction to him laying everything out for her.
Like him, I was uncertain that she had a change of heart, but as it stands, she’s been surprisingly nice. Earlier today when she picked Olivia up, she came in to see Olivia’s room and stayed for a few minutes to chat, and a few days ago, she called Tide to ask if I would mind her showing up to Olivia’s first ballet class that happened to fall during his week. Although it’s too early to assume things have actually changed for the better, I’m hopeful, because Olivia deserves to see her parents getting along. And I want Tide to have that too. I want him to have a relationship with Anna that is healthy.
“Baby, my cell is ringing.” Tide cups my cheek, and I sleepily lift my head from his chest and look at the coffee table where his phone is. Since I’m sprawled out on top of him, I reach over to grab it and place it in his hand before laying my head back down where it was before he interrupted my snooze. “What’s up?” His chest rumbles against my ear, then his body under mine moves as his muscles bunch. “You’re kidding me.”
I lift my head to look at him, and the moment his eyes meet mine, I know it’s bad, whatever it is.
“We’ll be there.” He hangs up and drops his phone to the floor next to the couch before resting his big palm against the side of my face.
“What is it? What happened?”
“Your dad’s at the Rusty Rose, and he’s pretty out of it. Colton said we need to come get him, or he’s going to have to call the cops,” he says, and my eyes slide closed. “I can go get him on my own and take him home, baby. You don’t need to see him like that.”
“No.” I shake my head, pushing back until I’m kneeling on the couch. “I’ll go alone.”
“You really think I’m gonna let you go on by yourself?” He grabs my wrist when I get off the couch, and I meet his gaze. “No fucking way, baby.” He stands and cups my cheeks, placing his face close to mine. “Go get dressed. I’ll meet you at the truck.”
With a nod, I rush upstairs and strip out of the lounge pants I put on when we got home, then put on jeans, and a sweatshirt over my tank top, before grabbing my sneakers. I sit on the steps to put on my shoes then go downstairs and grab my purse before I head outside. Tide is waiting for me next to the open passenger door of his truck, and once I’m seated, he helps me buckle myself in, then kisses me softly, closing me inside.
We don’t talk when he gets in behind the wheel, and the only sound on the way to the bar is the soft music playing through the speakers. I know my dad gets drunk a lot, but I can’t remember a time he’s been so out of it that he’s been at risk of having the cops called.
When we pull up to the bar and see the amount of vehicles in the parking lot, I remember there is a football game on tonight and a lot of people like to get out of the house to watch the game. After Tide parks, I slip off my seatbelt then wait for him to come around to my side to open my door. With the cold evening air making me shiver, we walk into the building, which is quiet except for the sound of my dad shouting belligerently about wanting another drink.
“Oh no,” I whisper, seeing my dad fall off his stool.
“Fuck,” Tide clips, taking my hand in his and dragging me across the room. When we reach the front of the bar, Colton’s eyes meet mine, and the look he gives me makes my heart stutter in my chest. Before I have a chance to process what his look means,