Page 63 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Sixty-Three

RAVEN

W hatever James is about to say is interrupted by the door slamming open and a voice shouting, “James, I forgot my phone.”

Dad!

I tense in James’s hold, my eyes going wide. This is bad . I scramble off him and hastily grab my discarded clothes, throwing his shorts at him. I’m barely dressed as my dad strolls into the room, phone in hand.

Dad looks at us both—me a complete mess and James half naked. “What’s going on?” he asks.

James walks over and stands in front of me, tilting my head up. “Trust me?” he whispers, his eyes pleading with me.

“Always.”

James tilts his head to look at my dad, and I follow suit. Anger rolls off him in spades—his jaw’s tight and his hands are clenching and unclenching at his sides .

“I asked you a question,” my dad seethes. “Is this what you’ve been doing while I asked you to protect my daughter?” His voice gets louder with every word.

Before James or I can get a word in, Dad charges at James, punching him square in the face. I scream and jump back. James rubs his nose, a smirk on his face. Dad goes to hit him again, but James shoves him back. “You get one free, Drew, but the next one, I don’t hold back.”

Dad’s breathing heavily as he paces back and forth, fury vibrating off him.

I rush to James, but he doesn’t look at me as he takes my hand. I glance down, seeing them entwined together, and I know that whatever happens next, we’ll do it together. I straighten my spine and meet my dad’s glare head-on.

“Drew, I’m sorry you had to see us like this, but I’m in love with your daughter,” James says, his tone clear and resolute.

My head snaps up. He loves me ?

I’d do a happy dance but now is not the time.

“You lied to me,” my dad continues like he didn’t hear what James said. “I asked you outright and you. Lied. To. Me,” he roars.

“Dad, please—” I start, but he cuts me off. A look I’ve never seen on his face before staring back at me.

“You’ve been living under my roof and seeing… him ? After everything we’ve been through, you’d do this to me? To your dad?”

The utter devastation and betrayal on his face has me feeling like the absolute worst kind of person. And just for a second, I wish I could take it all back. To not have my dad looking at me like he hates me.

I go to move, but James keeps me firmly behind him, and my eyes fill with tears. “Dad, please. It’s not like that, I swear. James and I?—”

“James and you what, Raven? I don’t believe for one second that he loves you. You’re just his flavor of the month,” he sneers, running his hand through his hair.

A slap to the face would’ve hurt less than his words, and I gasp at his vitriol toward me.

“I’d watch your mouth and how you speak to her, Drew. I’ve punched you once; I’m more than happy to do it again.” James gently nudges me further behind him. “I understand you’ve been dealt a lot of shit recently, but you can get fucked if you think I’m gonna let you talk to my girl like that.”

Dad looks back at me, fury still in his gaze. “I’m disgusted and disappointed in you, Raven.” He turns toward James. “You’re a disgusting, foul piece of shit for going after my daughter, and I hope you rot in hell. You’re dead to me, James Smith,” he spits.

My dad and I have never been mad at each other; it’s always been us against the world. And after everything we’ve both been through, I can’t let it end like this.

“Dad, please, let me explain.” I move around James and take a step toward my dad.

The hurt expression on his face as he looks at me is nearly my undoing.

Tears flow as I continue moving slowly toward him.

“I love him, Dad.” He scoffs, but I keep going.

“Will you please sit down so we can talk about this?” I plead.

He doesn’t say a word, just gives me one last look before storming out of the room. The front door slams, leaving an echoing sound in its wake.

I stand silent, shocked. I mean, I knew he wouldn’t take it well, but I thought we’d be able to sit down and have an adult conversation about it.

Tears continue to stream down my face, hiccupping on sobs as I replay the exchange.

James comes and stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and placing his head on my shoulder.

I lean into his embrace, his touch grounding me and stopping me from spiraling.

Family’s always been everything to me, and maybe I’ve been na?ve to believe he would’ve supported us after everything we went through with Emma.

I thought we were stronger than this. But I guess I was wrong.

Am I selfish for wanting to be happy? Even though it might have cost me my relationship with Dad?

“I’m sorry, pretty girl.” He blows out a breath. “That wasn’t how I wanted it to go.”

I place a hand on his arm. “James, this was him and his inability to see straight.” I turn in his arms as I say, “I know it’s difficult to see, but he’ll come around.

We just need to give him some time. His whole life has just been turned upside down, and then this” —I gesture between us— “this was too much for him.”

He nods, pulling me closer. “I’m worried about you and the impact it’ll have on both of you. To your relationship. People come and go, pretty girl, but this is your dad.”

“My dad loves me.” I shrug, wiping my face. “Our relationship is too strong for something to come between us. I have to believe that, otherwise I’ll spiral, and honestly? I just don’t have the energy for it. I have faith he’ll come around.”

He brushes a hair behind my ear. “And if he doesn’t?”

My heart pinches in my chest, but I refuse to give James up. I just can’t do it. I’ve lived life without this man, and I’ve lived life with him. I wouldn’t survive going back to a life without him.

“Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, hmm?”

He nods his head, clearly not accepting my reply, but I’d rather not think about it right now. I run my thumb gently across his face, a bruise already forming. “How’s your nose? ”

“Hurts, but I’ll live. Not the worst that’s ever happened to me by a long shot,” he chuckles.

“I’m so sorry. I feel awful. If I hadn't kept throwing myself at you, none of this would have happened.”

“Stop that, pretty girl,” he says sternly before softening his tone and adding, “You and I were always destined, one way or another.”

I smile, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. A wave of exhaustion hits me, and I yawn, struggling to keep my eyes open.

“It’s been a long day,” James says. “Let’s get you to bed. Tomorrow’s a new day.” I nod and follow behind him.

Quickly getting ready for bed, I snuggle under the covers as James whispers, “Sleep, baby. I’ll be here when you wake up.” He kisses my forehead, and as I fall asleep, I wonder where life will take me now.