Page 50 of Right Side of Paradise

Sorry Not Sorry

My father took a long sip of his drink, eyes pinned on us as the brown liquor screwed his face into a grimace.

“Dad, why didn’t you tell me you were in Onyx Cove?”

“You don’t get to ask me questions right now. Somebody needs to explain what the hell I just saw in that elevator.”

We were on the rooftop of Zay’s restaurant, Salt. I still didn’t like the way he flirted with Harlow, but I had to give it to him for agreeing not to seat anybody else up here for an hour so we could talk.

The restaurant was a two-minute walk from Christian’s condo, so we’d come here while Soul and Chris drove around the island in my Jeep until I told them to pick us up.

Harlow’s voice came through soft but clear beside me. “Brock, Rico wanted to tell you sooner. But he agreed to wait until I was ready.”

My dad held his head sideways, his eyes dragging over us in silent judgment before he looked to the water across the street.

The salty ocean breeze rustled through the palm trees surrounding the building. And the familiar, calming soundtrack felt out of place considering the man across from us looked like he was about to have a stroke.

“Until you were ready,” he scoffed. “I should’ve known something was up when you got her name tattooed on your face.”

Clearing her throat, Harlow spoke up. “Brock, I understand our relationship caught you off guard, but?—”

“Your relationship?” my father interjected. “I need another drink. Where’s that damn waiter?” He swiveled his head around the empty rooftop before pressing the button on the corner of the table.

“Dad—”

“Fucking your sister ?” He roared.

Harlow reared back at his tone, and her small hand twitched in mine under the table.

“She’s not my sister. She’s not even my stepsister anymore. So, you can save that.”

“It’s still fucked up.” He exhaled roughly and studied Harlow with his brows knitted together. “Does your mother know?”

“Not yet,” she answered, her voice starting to waver for the first time. “I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

My head swung to look at her.

She shrugged. “Might as well get it over with.”

A disgusted sound floated across the table to us. “You two should be ashamed.”

Harlow let go of my hand, sitting up straighter. Her voice was hard the next time she opened her mouth. “I’m not ashamed of anything. Rico is one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

“I’d think somebody was the best thing that happened to me too if they let me spend their money and had my name stamped on their face.” His laugh was derisive, borderline cruel, and Harlow’s energy shift was palpable.

“Feel how you wanna feel but watch how you talk to her. We’re adults and you gon’ talk to us like adults. She been giving you more respect than I would, and you got one more time to say something slick before you sitting at this table alone.”

As bad as I wanted to curse his ass out, I didn’t. And that was better than nothing. The way he raised me prevailed, even when he deserved less from me right now.

Hand gripping her thigh under the table, I soaked in the calm she supplied without even realizing it.

My dad didn’t say anything until his drink was refilled, but Harlow slowly relaxed back against my side.

“I thought you and Soul were together.”

“We are,” I clipped.

“Then why was he holding hands with Christian while your tongue was down Harlow’s throat?”

I closed my eyes.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

The countdown in my head didn’t do shit but help me realize I made a mistake deciding not to drink during this conversation.

Harlow’s patience was something I’d never possess. She kept her voice steady as she explained, “We’re all together. I’m with Rico, Soul and Christian. And they’re together too.”

“Father God,” my dad sighed, raising his empty glass to his head to rub condensation on his temples.

Dramatic as fuck . At least he stopped talking shit. He was probably too drunk to think of a retort. I shook my head.

“Can you tell me why I didn’t know you were home?”

“I got a last-minute showing with a realtor in that building. They said the unit would go fast so I drove down this morning.”

The waiter showed up with another drink, while matching frowns marred mine and Harlow’s faces.

“You’re looking for a condo? What happened to Raleigh?” I questioned, confusion momentarily pushing my irritation to the backseat.

“I’ve been toying with the idea of a partial retirement. It’s time.” He downed his drink in one gulp, and I knew then I was gonna be driving his drunk ass back to his hotel.

“Partial retirement, what does that even mean?” Harlow quizzed, puncturing the silence.

He looked like he needed another drink when he met her gaze. “It means your mother gave me an ultimatum and I’m listening.”

“W-what?”

My dad tugged on his tie and leaned back in his chair, looking proud. His eyes danced over to mine as a jovial— drunk —smile took over his face. “Yvie and I are working things out. We’re getting back together.”