Page 97 of Against The Tide

“So now we put it under my pillow, and the tooth fairy will finally have to come visit me!” She jumps up and down with excitement, and when she leaps into my arms, I know that there is nothing I won’t do to keep her and her momma safe. No matter what, I’ll make sure that she always has that beautiful smile on her pretty face. At all costs.

CHAPTER 27

AVERY

Callie looks up at me from across the table, fluttering her lashes in my direction like that’s going to make Nora’s invite to the fundraiser any more appealing.

“I think Rafe is dreading the idea of going into this without your dad, and maybe having you there will…I don’t know…make him feel better?”

“It’s his career choice, not torture,” I laugh even though the mention of my father makes my heart squeeze a little too tight. Not to mention that the smell of coffee and milk in the coffee shop is overwhelming today. “I’ve got this fear that if I go back to DC, Carl will find a way of making us stay there. What if he takes Iris from me? You’re asking me to be Daniel.”

“Daniel?” Callie looks at me baffled as she sips her coffee.

“You’re asking me to go into the lion’s den, and I’m not sure I’d make it out alive like he did.”

“With all your sinful ways,” she snickers, “sometimes I forget that you’re a good, God-fearing girl.”

Something about her words hits harder than I know she intended, but that’s how things are. Even if they don’t feel wrong, I guess that’s how it looks to the outside.

You want people to think you’re a whore? A cheap, two-bit whore.

Carl’s words come back to haunt me even though I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m left wondering if this is how it’s going to be until Carl decides he’s done.

“Oh my God, Avery, I was joking.” Callie rests her hand over mine, squeezing as she adds, “Even if I wasn’t, which I honestly was, it wouldn’t matter. You’re happy, you’re healthy, and you’re safe…the rest can go to hell. But if Mike isn’t having any luck helping you out, maybe you can work this fundraiser in your favor.”

“Yeah?”

“Nora likes to invite all the important people.” She air quotes the last part of the sentence, and with the roll of her eyes, it’s obvious that’s not how she feels toward her mom’s VIPs. “There’s always a judge or two in attendance. People that loved your father…maybe you need to use that to your advantage?”

“Wow, you are good.” Holding my coffee up to my mouth, I can’t bring myself to actually drink any of it.

“Listen, I worked a mighty SEAL over…”

“Oh yes, I forgot how you’ve tamed the wild beast and made him your bitch.”

“My oh my…sweet little Avery’s found her sass again. Put it to good use and charm the old folk—if it works for Rafe, it’ll work for you. Trust me.”

“Callie, I don’t even have anything to wear, and the thought of having people talk to me about Dad…”

“I get that it stings, and like most things, the first time is the worst because it’s like being stabbed in the heart, slapped in the face, and punched in the gut all at once.” Her words get to her as deep as they get to me; it’s obvious from the way she takes a moment to clear her throat and catch her breath. “But then, you listen past his name and you focus on all the amazing things people have to say and…it feels good to be a part of someone so incredible.”

“When you put it like that, it makes me feel even worse for avoiding his attorney and all things to do with his estate. Rhett said that it was okay for me to take my time, but the more I think about it…I guess a part of me is still waiting to wake up and find him there.”

That part I try to keep at bay chooses this precise moment to recall all those times I would fall asleep before Dad got home from work and he would wake me with a kiss just to tuck me in again and wish me good night.

“Regardless of whether or not you have closure, that whim never goes away. Especially with the kids. I always wonder what kind of grandfather he would’ve been.”

“Rafe used to talk to Dad about him a lot.”

“It’s all you can do. Talk about them and remember them through your memories and other people’s memories too. Tying up loose ends doesn’t give you closure. But—” Callie pauses, screwing her eyes shut with a groan. “I’m about to sound like mother dearest. It hurts so bad.”

Resisting the urge to laugh, I shake my head at her dramatics, sneaking a peek at my phone when it vibrates on the table. Butterflies fill my stomach when Rhett’s nickname pops up with a message notification.

Doc

We need to add The Shallows to the movie night list. X

“No, Avery, focus.” Callie flips my phone over. “Eww, was he sexting you?”