Page 100 of Pucking Them
Unfortunately, I think I know what the problem is.
Who.
“Is your dad still bullying you?” I demand.
Cody looks up sharply, hugging his arms around me. “It’s that obvious, huh? Mike hasn’t asked about Dad. I don’t know if I hope that he will or won’t. I’ve been trying to hide the escalation of the harassment from Dad because I don’t want to worry my husband. It’s tearing me apart.”
“Didn’t you tell me that I shouldn’t do that with my health?”
Cody gives a short laugh. “Well, that’s me called out. I thought that I could handle only seeing Dad at work. But he calls and texts me out of work all the time. If I don’t answer, then he gives me a rough time as soon as he sees me at the arena. He uses that new scheduling app to fuck with shifts and demand constant meetings where he hands me my ass over the tiniest things.” His gaze is anguished. “He can reduce me to thatbad sonagain who he’s about to drag to his study and beat to a crying mess. I feel like I’m still grounded on punishment chores in his huge house, while Ryn and Dad are out bonding on the lake. But I’m never able to do more than look out longingly from the window at them. I hate that he’s able to do that. I’m loved now, but Dad can still make me feel so fucking unlovable.”
A tear trembles on Cody’s lashes and then chases down his cheek.
I stare at the tear in shock.
Cody shouldn’t cry.
No one should ever make my friend cry.
I don’t care what D’Angelo says, coach is dead.
I dive off the stool and pull Cody into a hug.
He appears startled, stiffening. Then he slowly relaxes, wrapping his arms around me.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
“I’ll protect you,” I reply, fiercely. “Redirect every message and call from your dad to me. I’ll take them for you. I will be your buddy at work. You won’t face anymore meetings with coach alone.”
“Thanks, Dee.” Cody hugs me tighter. “But you need to protect yourself too. Your parents?—”
“They’re not my parents.” My eyes blaze. “The Webbs won’t hurt my brother and me again. If they try, then they’ll truly wish that they hadn’t chosen to give birth to me.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Merchant’s Inn,Freedom
Robyn
“Guesswhat Lucy convinced our Neve to try out for their date this week?” Cody whispers, conspiratorially.
My brother has always been the Gossip King. Maybe he should have become the PR Director.
He is dressed in a gold mesh top and tight jeans that look sprayed on.
Eden presented me with these yummy cakes called Fudge Happens earlier. They were amazing. He served them with chocolate ice cream for dessert.
Why did hegiveme a sultry look, however, as he pointed out theirsparkles?
Is there a hidden meaning to the word that I’m missing?
A meme, maybe?
Eden retreated with the ones that remained, a cup of hot Earl Grey and a new book to bed, rather than join us at Merchant’s Inn.
Eden doesn’t enjoy crowds, noise, or group social situations.
I would never force him into them.
