“As you should. I’m proud of you, too.” Relief washed over me, as I’d been waiting for those words from him for so long.

“Thanks … I was so mad at you.”

“You should have been. You still should be. I’m actually a bit surprised that you’re not yelling at me.”

“I thought I would be, too.” I chuckled. “I just can’t seem to do it.”

“You know I love you.”

I stared at my dad. It had been so long that I yearned to hear those words from him. I felt the tears splashing down to my hands, as they lay crossed in my lap. Dad’s large arms engulfed me, where I began to soak his shirt, letting the years of hurt out of my body.

I didn’t say the words back, I just couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to concede to it yet. As Dad released me, I instantly wanted to go back in his arms. For him to make everything better just like he did when I was a kid. Then I thought of what I actually did for a living. How would he feel knowing his daughter wrote smutty books? I hoped he’d be proud, but I couldn’t risk it.

“Savannah. You need to be careful out there. You are a beautiful woman, and if this guy out there is trying to get his hands on you, I need you to stay with someone all the time.” Dad’s concern touched me deeply.

“I know.”

“Then why did you drive here by yourself?” he accused.

“I needed to. Deke argued with me and followed me. He didn’t give me a choice.”

“I’m leery of Deke.”

“Please don’t. I care a lot about him. I won’t hear anything bad said about him.”

“Understood. Come on. That’s enough for one night. Let’s go have dessert.”

Dad led me down to the living room where Julie and Sydney were playing Barbies on the floor. “Savannah! I thought you left!”

“I tried to convince her that you were just talking to Dad, even showed her your car was still here, but she didn’t believe me.” Julie’s bright smile was contagious.

“Well, I’m here. Which one am I?” I asked, kneeling down beside her as she handed me this really cool Barbie with tattoos! Really, a Barbie with tattoos! I couldn’t help but feel excited about it.

As we played on the floor, Julie brought out strawberry shortcake for us all to eat. “I’m really sorry that Jake couldn’t be here. He really wanted to meet you.”

“Who’s Jake?” Over all the years, I had never heard that name before.

“My son. He’s about your age, but he said he didn’t feel well. I really wanted you two to meet.” Julie grinned. I sat there, shocked, not realizing dad left us going into another family. I had no clue she had a son.

“You looked shocked, Savannah,” Dad said.

“I kinda am. I didn’t know you had a son, Julie.”

Julie turned. “From my first marriage.”

“Were you married when you and Dad got together?” When the words left my mouth, I immediately wanted to take them back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Turning my head, I focused on the Barbie in it.

“No. It’s okay. No. I wasn’t married when your father and I got together. I had been divorced for about five years before that,” Julie answered.

“I know it’s a lot for you to take in. I just want to be part of your life again.” My dad cut through the fog of the stirring thoughts racing through my head.

“I’d like that too, Dad.” I never thought I would … ever, but realizing now I wanted it more than ever. I wanted to be part of Sydney’s life.

“So, have you been sending out your writing to the papers around here?” Dad questioned.

Talk about change of subject. “No, but that’s a good idea.”

“Where are you looking then?”

Dad’s questions were getting harder to evade. “I’m just taking it easy right now. I have some money saved up from previous jobs in California so I’m fine.” I felt my heart rate pick up. I hated lying, but knew I had to keep my shit together. I tried breathing slowly to calm myself.

“You really need to be thinking about a job. Your savings will go fast.”

Little did Dad know, I had enough in savings to live off for years. “Don’t worry. I really should be going. Thank you so much for dinner and for having me over.”

Julie stood. “Savannah, you are welcome here anytime. You never have to call, just come. And if you want to stay here, you are more than welcome.”

“Thanks, Julie.”

“No! I don’t want you to go!” Sydney cried.

“I have to, but I tell you what. If Mommy and Daddy say it’s okay, maybe you and I could do something together sometime.”

“Sure. Here though. Just ‘til we figure out who this guy is.” Dad’s concern was admirable.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Of course.”

Leaving the house, I actually felt relieved. I could breathe again. Not that being with them was horrible, but I just had so many pent up feelings that I’d held in for so long, and feeling them in such a short amount of time took a lot out of me.

The night was quiet with the moon’s light shining down beautifully. The stars were bright as they lit up the sky.

Getting in the car, the hair on the back of my neck stood as if electricity was flowing through me. Looking around, I didn’t see anyone except Dad waving from the door, but felt this eerie sense like someone was watching me from the shadows. Shaking it off, I locked the doors, needing Deke and a drink. Before leaving, I texted Deke and told him I was on my way.

Cranking the radio, Miranda was singing about revenge and lost love. My thoughts drifted to Deke and how wonderful he’d been since that maniac tried to hurt me. His small touches, his kisses, and words had been everything I’d ever dreamed of. I’d wanted him for so long, I couldn’t believe it was actually happening.

While I loved Miranda, I couldn’t help but feel nothing of lost love … I was so in love with this man it physically hurt. It hurt that I wasn’t near him. I needed to be with him. A smile etched on my face just thinking of him and made my cheeks throb.

Bam … My head was thrown forward, hitting my forehead on the steering wheel as my jeep was slammed into from behind. With tears in my eyes from the hit, panic raced through me and made it difficult to breathe. Searching in the rearview mirror, two bright headlights were shining coming closer and closer.

Bam … Another slam of my car. Fear touched every part of my body as I gripped the steering wheel tight. I searched for somewhere to pull in with people. I needed to get away from whoever this was immediately and get help.

Searching, there was nothing but trees lining the road with a few dusty turn offs. Trying desperately to keep my panic in check, I reminded myself I needed to stay in as much control as I could muster.

Bam … The hard hit caused the car to begin to spin. Turning the wheel, I tried like hell to regain control of the car.

Bam … It felt as if I was rolling in the air as the wind whipped all around me. A loud crash … My head slammed against something hard, and the lights went out.

The walls of my office were beginning to close in on me. For hours, I’d sat here like some pussy whipped little boy waiting for Vann to call or text me. So far, nothing. She was supposed to call as soon as she left her dad’s, but that had yet to happen.

I’d texted her only twice, because I was such a patient person … yeah right. But nothing back. I’d half a mind to hightail my ass out of here and go to her dad’s and check on her.

It seems as though that was what it’d always been. Me chasing after Vann. In high school she was a total bookworm, keeping to herself and mostly hanging out with Kinsley and Sawyer. Not much there had changed. I felt the smile play on my lips at the memory.

Seeing Vann across the library, I couldn’t help but feel that pull toward her that’d happened for the past few years every time I set eyes on her. Not that either of us did anything about it. When we were small, our parents hung out quite a bit, but shit happened and those days were long gone now. I missed hanging out with her, even if our families were around.