Page 26 of Always Love You More
He smiles, and my guard goes up.
What’s he so happy about?
His attention flits to Johnny, and I understand.
“Yesterday go good then?” I ask.
“Real good,” he says. “Great even. Big things are coming.”
I don’t ask, knowing this isn’t the place. I’m sure I’ll be filled in later.
My father tips his cup in Johnny’s direction. “Got ourselves a real one here.”
Johnny takes a step forward, coming up next to my chair. “Appreciate the chance.”
“I’m feeling generous,” my father says before looking over at me. “We got any party favors?”
I nod.
He slaps a hand on the couch. “Well, go get ’em. It’s a fucking party, isn’t it?”
I start to stand, but then I still when Luke warns, “Levi.”
My father looks up at him and snaps, “What?”
“It’s a school night.”
My father laughs. “It’s a school night?The fuck do I care?”
Luke glances at me, and my father follows his gaze.
“I can take him home,” Luke offers.
Yes, I wanna go home, but I know better than to think I’ll be able to.
“He is home,” my father says through gritted teeth. “I’m his home, and he’s with me. Isn’t he?”
Luke shakes his head. “He’s a kid, Levi—”
“That’s right,” my father interrupts, losing his patience. “He’smykid, Luke, not yours.”
Luke looks over at me, and I can feel my father’s eyes on me, too. I’m standing between them, literally caught in the middle.
“If you wanna go home, Jameson, I’ll bring you home,” Luke tells me.
“What did I just fucking say?” my father growls.
I take a step away from Luke. “I’m fine here.”
“See?” my father sneers. “He’s fine. It’s a party. It’s fun. You don’t always have to be so fucking uptight.”
“We’re leaving,” Luke says, his voice strained. He nods toward the door. “Billy.”
Luke glances over his shoulder at me, and Billy mutters a goodbye.
I dip my chin but don’t say anything. Instead, I head for the back room to get what my father asked for.
When I return, the music has been turned up even louder, and my father’s head is pulled back in a laugh, Marcus sitting in the seat next to him.
