Page 149 of All This Time

When we finally make it to his truck, Fletcher’s dad is standing there, a pleased grin on his face and a glass of wine in his hand. And I have a feeling this day is about to get worse.

Chapter 28

Fletcher

Revenge, an Ultimatum, and an Escape

My body is on high alert as soon as I see my father standing next to my truck, blocking the driver’s side door.

“What the fuck do you want?” I pull Laney behind me, keeping her hand in mine but shielding her from him.

The sinister laugh that leaves my father’s mouth makes me grip Laney’s hand tighter. “Nice bloody nose.”

“Youwouldapprove… You’ve given me a few yourself.”

His smile falters. “Watch your fucking mouth.”

“Or what?” I drop Laney’s hand and take a step toward the man who abused me most of my life, both physically and mentally, feeling my tolerance for his bullshit evaporate into thin air.

Hell, I’ve already been in one fight today, might as well make it two.

“Fletcher!” Laney calls out to me, but I put up my hand to silence her.

“Go ahead. Hit me. Show everyone here how you love taking swings at your son.”

Henley suddenly appears beside me, holding me back. “Fletcher, people are recording this, man,” he says in my ear.

I drift my eyes to the side and notice the crowd of people gathered around us. “Fuck.”

“That’s right. You wouldn’t want to ruin your precious reputation now, would you?” my father grates out, his smirk back in full force. “Although from the looks of it, your little piece of ass there is going to do that for you.”

“You motherfucker!”

I slam my father to the ground before landing a punch to his face. Rationality leaves my brain, red clouds my vision, and my fists keep landing on his face as all the rage from my childhood up until now leaves my body.

“Don’t you ever talk about her like that!” I roar.

Henley yanks me back before I can get another punch in. “You’re not fucking thinking straight, Fletch!”

“I’m done,” I snap, tossing my hands in the air, even though every part of me wants to get more hits in—as many as he’s delivered to me over the years.

“Get out of here.” Henley pushes me toward my truck. “Go! Before it gets worse.”

I reach for Laney’s hand and help her into my truck before I round the hood and hop inside myself. Gravel kicks up as I peel out of the parking lot.

My heart is racing as I drive away from the chaos. The truck is silent, the only sound the whir of the tires beneath us.

“Fletcher… You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Whatwas I supposed to do? Stand by and let him talk about you like that?”

“No, but—”

“He fucking deserved it, Laney. Punching him is the least I could do after everything that man has put me through.”

“I don’t blame you. But the cameras… People were—”

“I know.” I slam my palm against the steering wheel. “Fuck!”