Page 127 of Drive

“Only for him,” I said as I winked at Neil.

Neil chuckled and pulled his bride to the floor as Brad Paisley sang “She’s Everything”.

Country was my least favorite genre of music, but as I listened to the lyrics while they swayed on the dance floor, my heart tipped in favor of the declaration of love from Neil to his bride. My eyes drifted back to Reid, who was watching me closely. He was listening, too. I mustered up my best smile, but he didn’t return it, his face solemn.

It was a dream to hear those words come from him. Everything. That’s what he’d said. Everything. That’s what he’d promised to give to me.

We’d missed so much time.

There was so much I wanted to know.

I didn’t know where he lived, what his life was like. I just assumed he was living the dream of every rock star, but he’d told me different. As much as I wanted to discredit his words, to throw his notion of us away because of the way he hurt me, I felt a glimmer of hope long forgotten. He was right there, waiting for me. Swallowing hard, I began to move toward him. My father was quick to grab my hand before I got to the edge of the floor.

“Stella, what are you doing?”

My father swept me into his arms as I kept eye contact over his shoulder.

“Dancing with you, Daddy,” I said as he led us around the floor. My eyes stayed fixed to the rock star sitting in the middle of the room.

“Where is Nate?” my father asked, jerking me out of my haze, and out of Reid’s view.

“He’s probably at home now. He was working late. He says he’ll be slowing down soon.”

“Good,” my father said thoughtfully.

“Daddy, I’m not doing anything wrong. He’s here because Paige invited him. Don’t worry.”

He stiffened. “You watch your daughter lying in a hospital bed because some guy broke her heart and see if that doesn’t scare the shit out of you.”

“It was the change in temperature and you know it. It happened when I was younger, too.”

He scoffed, his sarcasm in full play as he spoke. “Because you were fighting with Paige before you went outside in the snow. It’s your emotionsandthe temperature change, Stella.”

“Daddy, I’ve got those under control. I won’t let them control me anymore. Reid and I are just friends,” I assured him, though my soul was screaming for the man just feet away. My father rocked me as I twisted my neck to watch him where he sat.

He loves me.

I can’t give it to you if you’re with the wrong fucking prince.

“Boo,” he said pointedly. “It’s as plain as the nose on your face. Your mother saw it, too. Anyone here can see it.”

“I haven’t seen him in years.”

“Bear, listen,” he whispered. “It’s not a good idea that he’s here.”

“Daddy, I love Nate.”

Thousands of needles pricked my chest as green eyes held me captive.

You love me, too.

“And it would mean the world to me if you would walk over there and apologize to him, because he’s an important man to both of your daughters. He’s had a really rough life and he doesn’t need to feel guilty about this.”

“Are you lecturing me?”

“I guess so,” I said with a swallow. My father narrowed his eyes.

“Sorry, Daddy, you have to admit you’re wrong. This one is on you.”