My dad’s face contorted, filled with more rage and disgust that it already had. “Kathryn called you.” It wasn’t even a question.
Betrayal sucked the air from my lungs. Liam pulled me closer against him.
“This isn’t over,” my dad snarled, pushing John away, then without another word, he stalked home.
Liam and I hurried after him. I was furious at my mom too, but my dad…his rage was frighteningly out of control. What did I do? Why did I ever think this would make it better?
“Dad!”
He didn’t stop.
Liam stepped in front of my dad at the door, blocking him from entering. “Roger, I know how you feel, but you need to calm down before you go in.”
“You have no idea how I feel! I put my little girl in a room with that monster! I did that to her!” My dad’s voice broke, and my heart broke with it.
“Unfortunately, sir, I do know.”
No! I did this to them! My bad decisions, my stupidity did this to them. “It’s my fault! All of it. Stop, please! Daddy, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know.”
“It’s not your fault, Firefly! None of it is.”
“I should have known,” my dad cried. “You tried, and we didn’t listen. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
This was killing me, and them. I swallowed hard and forced out the truth I knew deep down, buried beneath all my feelings. Well, mostly knew. Tried to know, maybe. “It’s Brian’s fault,” I said firmly. “And Snake Eye’s,” I added, looking at Liam.
Liam smiled back, sad and proud. “Sure is, Firefly.”
My dad opened his arms, and I threw myself into his embrace, clinging to the protection I’d always craved, always needed. A small part of me said it was too little, too late, but I shushed that voice. Maybe I’d feel that more later, but for now, the little girl inside me felt safe. Loved. Protected.
“Firefly, your mom’s coming.”
My dad stiffened and pulled away, stepping in front of me. Shielding me.
My mom opened the door and watched us, waiting, her eyes red and puffy, but her chin high.
“You’re protecting him?” my dad snarled.
“No, I’m protecting you two fools. Now come back inside.”
I followed them in and sat on the couch as close to Liam as I could get without being on his lap. His arm wrapped around me, holding me to him.
My mom sat on the other corner of the couch, and my dad paced the room. “You shouldn’t have done that, Kathryn. He deserves to pay. Jenna deserves it.”
“Jenna doesn’t need her father and boyfriend in jail! I’m not going to apologize for that.”
“It’s justified.”
“You know that’s bullshit. How will that help Jenna? Now sit down, Roger, so we can talk to her.”
I didn’t want to talk anymore. I was exhausted.
My dad sat, and my mom inched closer to me, taking my hand in hers. I let her, but her hand felt small and cold. Maybe I was too used to Liam’s huge hands. Or maybe I just didn’t feel…comfortable…or comforted…with her.
Did she even apologize? Or did she just make excuses for why she hadn’t believed me?
Liam touched my other hand, drawing my attention to him. “Firefly, are you up for talking more now?”
I shook my head.