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Chapter thirty-five

Living in a house of cards

Mason

It took every ounce of self restraint I had not to bundle her up and bring her home with me.

I want to protect her, even from herself.

Or, from my petulant child who is still keeping herself locked in her room whenever I’m home.

There are moments I’m tempted to shake her until she listens to reason.

How can I love someone so much, and be so damn mad at them at the same time?

The four hour drive back home felt like days.

I need to fix this. I don’t want Lori to hurt anymore.

But, I know she won’t give in until she and Soph reconcile.

They just have to get in the same room, but I don’t see that happening, yet.

Past midnight is the wrong time to start a fight, although I’m tempted.

Sleeping alone in my bed is getting to be torture.

I’d almost rather crash out on my bed roll somewhere in the pasture.

But, that has its own nest of memories.

Stopping by the kitchen, I pull the bottle of whiskey down and pour myself a tall glass.

Lori’s puffy eyes and tear streaked face are on repeat in my head.

It takes a drink and a half to mellow the frustration that has tightened every muscle in my body.

Tomorrow, I’m gonna make Sophia listen.

“Go away!” Her shrill cry pierces through her door.

“No. We’re talking. Lori is a damn wreck, Soph. It’s this kind of reaction that made us keep you in the dark.” My forehead leans on the wood.

I swear I’m starting to leave a dent there from beating my head against it in frustration.

“She’s my friend! You shouldn’t have!” she yells.

It’s more words than she’s said most of the week.

I feel like I’m talking to the knot in the panel in front of me. Might as well be.

“I tried not to,” I say hoarsely. “I really did. She’s a hard person to not like, Soph. You know this too.”

From Lori’s laugh, to the way her cheeks flush. Her determination to see a job through. And, the way she faces her fears with a focus that I admire.

“I do. You took her away from me.” She sounds defeated.

“Soph. Can I please come in?” I rest my palm on the handle, hopeful she’ll finally let me.

“Yea,” she squeaks.

She’s curled on her bed, her pillow hugging her chest with only her red-rimmed blue eyes watching me.

I grab the chair near the wall and drag it closer, even though it feels like I’m cornering a wounded animal.

“I’ve missed you.” I start quietly. “But, I’m not taking Lori away from you. She’s made it abundantly clear that she won’t have anything to do with me if it comes at the cost of your friendship.”

When Lori asked me to leave, it crushed me. Almost as bad as seeing the pain etched in her features.

‘Really?” Sophia’s dark brows furrow. “And, you’d let her?”

“Not if I can help it. She respects you, though. I’m not going to force her, if that’s your question.” My fingers weave with tension. I wish I could just lasso the two of them together and let them hash it out.

“I just wish one of you had told me.” Her chin raises from behind her soft barricade showing off her pouty bottom lip.

I lean back, letting my legs kick out in front of me and cross my boots. “And how exactly would that change what this is?” My hand waves towards her. “She was terrified you’d be upset. Which you are.”

“You made it weird, Dad. So, you’re together. I get to see her more, which is great. But, what about when you break up? Do I lose her then, too?” She smoothes her hair behind her ear and tilts her head.

Fuck, she looks just like her mother did when she’d get mad at me.

A pang of a long scarred wound pulls at my chest. It ruined me when I lost Carolyn.

I don’t want to ever feel that way again.

My elbows find my knees as I move close enough I almost brush the pillow she’s clinging to. “It ain’t gonna happen. I love her, I’m not letting her go.”

There’s a weight that lifts from my shoulders as I admit the truth to myself.

Sophia’s mouth curls at the corner in a slow smile. “You do? I guess I should have figured it out, with you being in such a good mood lately.”

I can feel my eyes narrow. “Then put me back in one,” I grunt, pointing at her phone. “Call her, tell her you’re sorry.” It’s as if I’m chastising my little girl, not my adult daughter.

“Is it going to be awkward? You two?” Her finger points to me and towards Lori’s old bedroom.

“Not any more than the last few weeks that you didn’t know about. Except, I don’t have to hide anymore. I won’t go out of my way to make you uncomfortable, but I can’t promise I won’t touch her.” My hands splay in the air and I watch her mouth twist.

“Fair enough. I’m sorry, Dad. I was just, um—” Her gaze drops to the floor.

“Blind-sided? I was, too. From the moment I saw her.” My fingers tingle wishing I could hold Lori again.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re not making this very easy.” But, the grin still plays on her lips. “Just know, if you screw this up, I’m never forgiving you.”

“Deal.”