I’ve forgotten what it was like to have a family. I’m glad that Styx has one and that he has the choice to still experience these moments.
There’s just one thing that’s been bothering me.
Every few minutes, I catch Styx looking toward the living room with a worried expression as if he’s waiting for his father to show up at any minute.
I just wish I knew a way to take his worry away. But I don’t and I hate it . . .
Styx
I’M TRYING MY BEST TO enjoy the night with the two most important people in my life, but I can’t stop thinking about that asshole and when he’s going to show up and ruin everything.
He’s going to be here any damn second. I can feel it in my fucking bones and I will do everything in my power to protect the both of them. Nothing about this night is going to end well and I’m already hating that I’ve put Meadow in this position.
I stare hard. Waiting . . .
Come on, motherfucker and get it over with.
“Styx!” My mother laughs and tosses a card at me to get my attention. It’s about the fifth time that she’s had to yell at me since the game started. I’m trying hard to just be in the moment, but I can’t. Fuck, it’s hard to concentrate right now. “It’s your turn again. Go! Don’t keep us ladies waiting all night. That’s rude.”
“Sorry. I was just . . .” I pull my eyes away from the living room and get ready to toss a card down to play, when the front door bursts open, causing everyone at the table to jump in surprise. Myself included and I fucking hate my body for reacting this way.
I spent my whole childhood fearing this man, but not anymore. He will never get the pleasure of seeing fear in my eyes again. I will die before that day happens.
“Oh fuck,” my mom whispers, while panicking to push all of the cards into a pile.
Meadow must see the worry on her face, so she jumps to her feet and starts gathering cards too, without question. “Let me help you.” She places her hands on my mother’s as she continues to reach out with shaky hands. “I got it. It’s okay.”
Jumping to my feet, I stand straight, cracking my neck as I watch the drunken bastard enter the kitchen and stop.
Yeah, you want to stand there looking like an ass as if you didn’t know we would be here. You want to play this shit so you have an excuse to be angry.
Keeping my eyes on him, I watch as he tilts back the rest of what’s left of his beer and then tosses the empty bottle in the sink.
“What the fuck is this shit, Lily?” He grips the sink, before punching the counter and then turning around to face us. “You didn’t tell me we’d have guests. I would’ve made sure to come home right after work.”
My mother looks from Meadow to me and shakes her head apologetically. “I told you yesterday, remember? I mentioned going to buy stuff for tacos . . .”
“The fuck you did,” he shouts, while picking up the closest thing to him and throwing it across the room. His jaw clenches as his eyes land on the cards that Meadow is shoving into the box. “You fucking play cards without me, Lily? Get over here. Now.”
“Fuck you,” I growl out, while blocking my mother from his view. He won’t live to hurt her again if he makes any move to touch her. “She doesn’t have to come to you. Don’t ever fucking talk to her like that again. You need to leave.”
“I need to leave?” He points at his chest and laughs his asshole fucking laugh that he always does. As if he’s so damn untouchable. Not anymore. “This is my house. I pay the bills. No one tells me what to do in my own home. Not even your bitch of a mother.”
“Woah! Don’t talk like that about her. What is your problem?” Meadow speaks up, causing my father to look at her for what must be the first time since he’s walked in the door.
I instantly stiffen up at even the idea of his eyes on her. They’re dark and full of whatever evil resides inside his fucked up mind.
“Who the fuck is this little bitch in my house?” His hand slips from the counter, him nearly falling down, but he somehow manages to catch himself first. “Dammit, Lily. I’m going to beat your ass for making me look like a fool. Come. Here. Now.”
In a rage, he pushes me to the side to get at my mother, but I grab him by his neck, slamming him into the sink. “You will never talk to my mother or girlfriend with that disrespect again. I will cut your fucking tongue from your mouth. Got it?” I look over my shoulder at Meadow, while preventing my father from moving. “I need you both outside. Now. Take my mom. Don’t let her back in no matter what she says.”