“Then get out,” Terry snapped. “This is my house. I make the rules. You don’t get to burst in here and tell me how to treat my family.”
I blinked slowly before looking at Mum with a sarcastic smile. We both thought the same thing. We knew exactly who it all belonged to. Even though I despised the fact that I was essentially their cash cow, it was still a joke that Terry thought he had any footing.
“Oh, yeah, just keep going,’’ I said to Terry. “You’re doing such a good job of convincing me to leave.”
I blew out a breath as I looked at the girls, who were awkwardly eating the last of their food.
“You don’t make decisions in this house!” he shouted.
“Sure.” I pushed my chair back from the table, focused on that barely existent calm place inside me. “I’m done here anyway.”
The only thing I knew was that I wasn’t leaving my sisters when Terry was set to blow.
“Tammy, Janie, come on,” I said as I rose. “You can stay with me for the next week while our parents figure out their priorities.” I shot Sally a glare.
I should have booked us a place when I arrived, but it had been the middle of the night.
I had images of Sally and Terry going through their rooms and selling anything not stuck to the ground. They had done it before when I took the girls on holiday for a weekend.
Sally’s face quickly twisted from amused to a deep snarl, and I knew I was really in for it.
“Don’t you move a fucking muscle,” Terry yelled at my sisters, and both of them flinched.
“Or what, Terry?” I lifted myself to my full height, peering down at him from the other end of the table. “What will you do?”
The silence drew out around the table as Terry stewed, and Sally grit her teeth.
“Girls, go pack your bags,” I said, not taking my eyes from Terry’s. “We’re leaving.”
I loved the fact they didn’t even take a second to think. Both of them jumped up and ran out of the kitchen before Terry could say another word.
He slammed his fist on the cheap table, and I folded my arms as I looked down at him, sighing. “It’s sad we’ve got to this stage,” I said, stepping away from the table.
I could see Terry was ready to blow. He was vibrating, which was always a bad sign, but it was worth it. Once we were out of the house, Sally could deal with him. Though she’d probably just throwhimout so he could start a fight down the pub.
I flicked my gaze to the ceiling as their hurried footsteps echoed downwards before focusing back on Terry.
They just had to get out of the front door. That was all.
But I took my eyes off of him for too long. There was a sharp whistle before brown glass exploded next to my ear. I cried out as sharp shards cut my face, glass falling over my beer-soaked shoulder.
“What are you doing!?” Sally screeched just as I opened my eyes. I didn’t know why I was surprised she was shouting at me even though her husband was reaching for another beer to hurl at me.
I kept my arms folded, my left ear stinging, glad my sisters didn’t stop running around upstairs.
Sally trembled as she moved toward me. “You are not taking my daughters from me.” Her voice quivered as she pressed her palm over her heart. Automatic tears spilled over as she suddenly turned up the act, the one she brought out when she needed to get her way, no matter what.
Decades of practice in the making.
I’d admit, she got to me. That look of hers woke up memories I wanted to forget, where she still acted like she cared about her only son. Even though they were from years ago, they still grabbed me, forcing me to hesitate. And she saw it.
I just wished she was a better person.
She notched her head back, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “Please, Dom. You can’t take them,” she said, shuffling toward me. “They’re my babies.”
She would have made loads more money if she’d gone for acting rather than scamming.
“Ah, right, of course. Sorry, I forgot you treat your children like absolute shite while pretending that you actually love them. Nice. You must be so proud of yourself.”