Read Online Until the Sun Burns Out by Amber Garza - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amber Garza
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I’ve been around your dad long enough to know that he loves you…and that you love him.”
Uncomfortable, I stared at my feet, intently studying my botched polish job. Reaching up, I nervously scratched the back of my neck. “I just don’t know how to face him now. I feel so betrayed.”
Austin’s finger tucked under my chin, and he softly lifted my head. My entire face felt like it was on fire. It was one thing when he touched my arm, but he was touching my face. My face! I felt like I might explode. No guy had ever touched my face before. And it felt good. Really good. His skin was warm and surprisingly soft. I held my breath.
“Just promise me you’ll talk to him. Give him a chance to explain, at least.” The corners of his lips curved upward a bit. “And don’t leave without talking to me first, okay?”
In that moment, I knew I wouldn’t leave. Not if there was even a remote possibility that he would touch me like this again. I had no idea what would happen between Dad and me. But it didn’t matter, because I wasn’t staying for him.
I was staying for my summer boy.
NINE
I wasn’t ready for Luca to find out about Dad’s new girlfriend, so I kept my mouth shut through a painfully long dinner. I forced smiles and laughter at all the appropriate times. But the smiles made my face ache, and the laughter burned my throat. A couple of times Dad threw me a curious glance as if he suspected something, but Luca was completely unaware. All he talked about was the great day he had at the beach. And that was fine by me. Let him live in blissful ignorance a little while longer. Honestly, I wished I could do the same.
Things had finally been going well between Dad and me. The chip on my shoulder had been softening. Now it was so sharp I was certain it would cut anyone who came too close.
After dinner, I hid away in my room waiting for Luca to go to bed. Mom called, but I didn’t answer. There was no way I could talk to her without blurting out what I’d learned. Keeping my mouth shut wasn’t something I was good at.
The only positive thing that came of any of this was that Grace and I made up. When I texted her about Dad having a girlfriend, she called me back immediately. After I’d filled her in, we both apologized, promising to never fight again. I wasn’t sure we’d keep our promise, but one thing I was certain of was that I needed her. Especially now.
Talking to Grace had calmed me a little, but I knew I wouldn’t simmer down completely until I talked with Dad. I was practically foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog by the time Luca went to bed. Even then I waited until I heard his faint snores slip beneath the doorframe. Then I padded down the hallway and gently knocked on Dad’s bedroom door.
“Is everything okay?” Dad’s eyes were crinkled in concern when he opened it. He was in his pajamas, and the scent of soap drifted under my nose.
My original plan had been to tell him we needed to talk and guide him to the family room so Luca couldn’t overhear us. But the words were eager, clawing at the back of my throat, desperate to break free, so I let them
“I know about Penny,” I said.
Dad recoiled. “How?”
At least he hadn’t tried to deny it. Still it bothered me that his first concern wasn’t for how I was feeling about it. He was most concerned about how he got caught. When had our roles become reversed?
“Austin’s mom is friends with Penny.”
“I see.” Dad reached up, stroking his chin.
“Were you ever planning on telling me?”
Dad nodded. “I was just waiting for the right moment. In fact, I had talked to Penny about coming to dinner soon to meet you and Luca.”
I frowned. This was more serious than I had anticipated if he wanted her to meet us. “Were you seeing her before you moved here?” Holding my breath, I prayed that he would say no.
But the defeated look that cloaked his face betrayed the truth. “Yes.” His voice was quiet,
Uncomfortable, I stared at my feet, intently studying my botched polish job. Reaching up, I nervously scratched the back of my neck. “I just don’t know how to face him now. I feel so betrayed.”
Austin’s finger tucked under my chin, and he softly lifted my head. My entire face felt like it was on fire. It was one thing when he touched my arm, but he was touching my face. My face! I felt like I might explode. No guy had ever touched my face before. And it felt good. Really good. His skin was warm and surprisingly soft. I held my breath.
“Just promise me you’ll talk to him. Give him a chance to explain, at least.” The corners of his lips curved upward a bit. “And don’t leave without talking to me first, okay?”
In that moment, I knew I wouldn’t leave. Not if there was even a remote possibility that he would touch me like this again. I had no idea what would happen between Dad and me. But it didn’t matter, because I wasn’t staying for him.
I was staying for my summer boy.
NINE
I wasn’t ready for Luca to find out about Dad’s new girlfriend, so I kept my mouth shut through a painfully long dinner. I forced smiles and laughter at all the appropriate times. But the smiles made my face ache, and the laughter burned my throat. A couple of times Dad threw me a curious glance as if he suspected something, but Luca was completely unaware. All he talked about was the great day he had at the beach. And that was fine by me. Let him live in blissful ignorance a little while longer. Honestly, I wished I could do the same.
Things had finally been going well between Dad and me. The chip on my shoulder had been softening. Now it was so sharp I was certain it would cut anyone who came too close.
After dinner, I hid away in my room waiting for Luca to go to bed. Mom called, but I didn’t answer. There was no way I could talk to her without blurting out what I’d learned. Keeping my mouth shut wasn’t something I was good at.
The only positive thing that came of any of this was that Grace and I made up. When I texted her about Dad having a girlfriend, she called me back immediately. After I’d filled her in, we both apologized, promising to never fight again. I wasn’t sure we’d keep our promise, but one thing I was certain of was that I needed her. Especially now.
Talking to Grace had calmed me a little, but I knew I wouldn’t simmer down completely until I talked with Dad. I was practically foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog by the time Luca went to bed. Even then I waited until I heard his faint snores slip beneath the doorframe. Then I padded down the hallway and gently knocked on Dad’s bedroom door.
“Is everything okay?” Dad’s eyes were crinkled in concern when he opened it. He was in his pajamas, and the scent of soap drifted under my nose.
My original plan had been to tell him we needed to talk and guide him to the family room so Luca couldn’t overhear us. But the words were eager, clawing at the back of my throat, desperate to break free, so I let them
“I know about Penny,” I said.
Dad recoiled. “How?”
At least he hadn’t tried to deny it. Still it bothered me that his first concern wasn’t for how I was feeling about it. He was most concerned about how he got caught. When had our roles become reversed?
“Austin’s mom is friends with Penny.”
“I see.” Dad reached up, stroking his chin.
“Were you ever planning on telling me?”
Dad nodded. “I was just waiting for the right moment. In fact, I had talked to Penny about coming to dinner soon to meet you and Luca.”
I frowned. This was more serious than I had anticipated if he wanted her to meet us. “Were you seeing her before you moved here?” Holding my breath, I prayed that he would say no.
But the defeated look that cloaked his face betrayed the truth. “Yes.” His voice was quiet,
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