Page 80 of When Ben Loved Tim

“I was trying to during lunch!” I retort. “The boy is suicidal.”

“I know,” Allison says with a sigh. “But he’s so sweet that I honestly think he’s got a chance.”

“Those gorgeous eyelashes of his aren’t going to impress your father.”

“Which is why I need you to be there.” Allison grabs my hand, as if worried I’ll flee in terror at the suggestion, and I might have if I didn’t love her so much.

“Me being there will only make it worse. Your father hates me.”

“He does not,” Allison says. “He was always nice to you when we were kids.”

That’s before his wife died. He’s a different person now. Allison doesn’t need to be reminded of that. She needs her best friend.

“All right. What do you want me to do?”

Allison exhales and visibly relaxes, as if her problems are already solved. “Just be there when Ronnie shows up. My dad is less likely to freak out with someone else around.”

That didn’t stop him from chucking a whisky glass across the front yard, but I hold my tongue.

At the end of the school day, she drives us back to her place, where I try my damnedest to pretend that I’m not about to witness a disaster. We’re sitting in the living room when her father arrives. He’s a bald man with broad shoulders and a stern brow.

“Hi, Daddy!” Allison says, rising to give him a hug.

His beard bristles when he notices me. “You’re grounded. What’s he doing here?”

“Practicing for choir,” Allison says. “Do you want to stay and listen?”

“Sure.” He’s always appreciated his daughter’s talent. I’ll give him credit for that. “Be right back.”

We watch him walk toward the kitchen.

“How much longer until Ronnie gets here?” I murmur.

“About twenty minutes,” Allison whispers back.

Long enough for her father to get a drink or two down. Springing this on him is a mistake. I’m so certain that I stand up.

“Where are you going?” Allison hisses.

“Keep a lookout. I’ll be right back.”

I feel unsteady on my feet as I walk to the kitchen. I’m not worried that I’ll get my ass kicked or anything crazy, but the man has a short temper. I put on a friendly expression. Her father spins around when I enter, a bottle of something on the counter next to him.

“We need to wet our whistles if we’re going to sing for you,” I say, going to the cabinet where glasses are kept.

He watches me with his arms crossed. I set the glasses on the counter. An ice cube tray is next to the bottle, which is a convenient excuse to interact. “Do you mind?” I ask before reaching for it.

Her father steps aside to make room for me.

“Listen,” I say. “I know I’m not your favorite person—”

“Alli should be spending time with other girls,” he interrupts.

That came out of nowhere! For me, at least. I’m guessing it’s been on his mind for quite some time. “A gay guy is the next best thing,” I say with a smile that isn’t returned. “Anyway, I want you to know that I feel just as protective toward Allison as you do. Because I love her.”

He swirls his glass and takes a sip, his face impassive.

“So if this new guy she’s been seeing was a jerk, or bad for her somehow, I wouldn’t stand for it. He’s not though. Ronnie is a good guy. We’ve known him since grade school. He really likes her.”