“So you brought me here and you don’t even want me?” I ask. Then and only then does it really and truly hit me, how lost I feel, how disconnected from fucking anyone except maybe Parrish. Parrish. Of all people.
“You’re an eleven, you know? At least for me.”
“I’ve never wanted anything more.” Tess says the words, but they don’t show on her face. It’s that perfect blend of desperation and frigidity that she seems to specialize in. It’s like she’s two different people at the same time: the mother I always wanted and my worst enemy, wrapped into a single package. “But I can’t apologize for the things I wrote. Dakota, it’s no secret that we’re having trouble connecting. That’s not unexpected.”
A harsh laugh escapes me, and I end up sitting down heavily on the edge of my bed. I’m so fucking glad in that moment that it’s my real bed, the one that my grandmother made for me. It gives me strength somehow, even though she’s nearly three thousand miles away from me.
“Tell me about my father,” I say abruptly, folding my hands in my lap and leaning over. My green and black hair falls across my arms like a blanket. At this point, I wish I’d let Parrish ink me so I could reveal it to Tess, just to see the shock on her face. “You owe me that much at least—especially since you dislike me so much.”
“I love you, Dakota,” Tess protests, but we both know that isn’t the same thing, not at all. “Your father isn’t important. He’s nothing. He’s nobody.” I lift my gaze up to look at her. She may as well be carved of ice for all that her expression gives anything away. On the other hand, those words were fire.
She’s hiding something.
“Saffron knows more than I do.”
“Saffron is a liar and a kidnapper. Whatever nonsense she was whispering in your ear, you may as well forget it.” Tess stares me down like the self-made multimillionaire she is, like I’m yet another hill to be climbed and conquered. “No amount of guilt-tripping will change my mind. Now, if you’d like, we could go to a family therapist and—”
“A therapist?” I snap back, shoving up to my feet. “We don’t need a therapist to talk to each other; you’re the one who always runs away. I’m trying here, Tess. I’m trying so fucking hard that sometimes I just want to throw myself into the goddamn lake. Why can’t you just talk to me?”
Tess throws her arms up like she just can’t deal with this anymore, taking her manuscript and storming out of the room. I follow her into the hallway, but we’re nowhere near done.
“Tell me about my fucking dad!” I scream, even though I know I’m being hysterical here. Tess ignores me, stepping into her office and slamming the door behind her. I know I shouldn’t, but I follow her anyway, pounding on the door even though I know she isn’t going to let me in. “I have a right to know who he is! And as soon as I find him, you can bet your ass that I’m out of here—permanently. DNA is all that matters, right? Well, I’ve got his DNA in me, too.” I pause here, breathing heavily, my hands clenched so tightly into fists that I’m drawing blood. “Even if I stay here until I turn eighteen, I’m out. I’ll drive off at midnight on my birthday and you will never see me again.” Another pause. Each second of silence infuriates me even further. “Oh, and by the way: I’m dating Lumen. You hear me? DATING!”
“Hey.”
Parrish grabs me by the shoulder and turns me around. I end up with my back pressed to the door of Tess’ office, breathing so heavily that I’m starting to see stars. I’m mad. Angrier than I’ve ever been in my life. It’s suddenly hit me that I don’t know who I am or what the fuck I’m doing here or—
Parrish’s hot mouth crashes into mine, and then my fingers are digging into the fabric of his hoodie so hard that I’m probably bruising his chest. We shouldn’t do this here, I think, but what does it matter? So what if I fuck Tess’ precious son? Who cares? She doesn’t like me anyway, doesn’t even think of me as a daughter.
I’m property to her, just another shiny trophy on her wall of bestsellers.
“Come with me.” Parrish grabs my hand and we run down the hallway, just barely making it into his room before we’re kissing again. My arms are around his neck, his are wrapped around my waist. He’s so warm and comforting in that moment. If we hadn’t made that connection in Bend, then I might’ve been worried. I might’ve wondered if I wasn’t using him in that moment to comfort myself.
