Page 50 of Always Love You More

I flail, trying to get free, and watch as my father does the same. The fight isn’t finished. Nobody won.

“Stop it,” the voice yells.

“Let me—”

My words are cut off when I see Sam push herself between me and my father.

The person behind me goes still. “I told you to wait over there.”

Johnny, I realize. The voice behind me is Johnny’s.

She lets her attention drift over me briefly before spinning and facing my father.

He’s still moving, attempting to get out of Marcus’s hold. His eyes are blazing with determination. With rage.

“Get her out of here,” I force out. “Please.”

“She won’t leave unless you do,” Johnny mutters.

“Okay.” I nod. “Okay.”

He lets go of me, and I try to take a step forward but stumble.

“Jesus,” he hisses, throwing out a hand to steady me.

Sam turns, the fire in her eyes blinking into worry.

“Lean on me,” Johnny instructs.

I do as he says, and Sam comes over to my other side.

Johnny looks over at Marcus, who’s still fighting to restrain my father. “I’m taking him home with me,” Johnny tells them. He starts to drag me along, not waiting for a response.

“No, you aren’t,” my father yells after us, pulling forward. “You get back here, Jameson.”

I fight to keep my head up. “I need to—”

“No, you don’t,” Johnny says firmly.

He turns back toward them. “Things got heated,” he says to my father. “You both just need to cool down, all right?”

“Don’t you tell me—”

“Levi,” Marcus cuts in. “Look at him.”

My father’s gaze shifts to me, and it’s like he’s just now realized what I look like. From the way his face shifts, I must look pretty fucking bad.

Marcus releases him, and my father pushes out his chest, raising his chin. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up,” he says as if it was his idea. “Get some rest.”

I nod, or at least I try to.

“You can stay the night at Johnny’s,” he offers, like I should be thankful. “But I want you back at the garage in the morning.” He watches me, waiting for a response.

My head is spinning. I just want to lay down. I’m so fucking tired.

“Jameson?”

“Yeah, thank you,” I push out, and Johnny goes rigid beside me. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”