It tooka few days of playing by the rules for me to snap out of my funk. Ryder and I were keeping distance physically, but constantly texting. It fucking sucked, but the dust needed tosettle.
Me: Heading into the bar now. How much longer will you be attheshop?
Ryder: All freaking day and probably a good part of the night. Abel has been more than interested in making my workload keep me from seeing the lightofday.
Me: I’msorry.
Ryder: You’re worth it. Have a goodshiftbabe.
With a deep breath, I walked through the doors of the bar. Crickett was unloading a rack of beer glasses as she smiled at me. “Hey sweetheart. You ready totakeover?”
“How was the day shift?” I put my purse under the register and grabbed Crickett’s draw of cash to putminein.
Crickett shrugged. “Nothing to write home about, but tonight should be good. We have a new girl coming in totrain.”
I was shocked. No one had mentioned getting another chick. “When was thatdecided?”
“Jesse’s niece just moved in with him and his old lady so we said she could work a few shifts here. It’ll help us outalot.”
We did need more people and with Ryder working his ass off at the shop, his offer to help out was completely off of thetable.
I started counting out Crickett’s money while she finished setting up the bar for myshift.
“You know this is all going to blow over, rightsweetheart?”
I swallowed hard. “I just want everything to be back to normal. Dad has barely spoken to me and he’s working Ryder todeath.”
“Just be happy that he’s still letting Ryder work.” She grabbed her stack of tips, shoving it into her bra strap. “Your dad’s in the back room, why don't you go say hi? Break the iceabit.”
I could hear my heart in my chest as I knocked on the door to the office. “Come in.” My father’s burly voice leaked through into the backhallway.
“Hey Daddy. How’s itgoing?”
His eyes were wide, his shouldersstiff. “Fine.”
My heart was breaking. “Dad, I can’t take this any more. I need us to get back tonormal.”
He dropped his shoulders and leaned back in his chair. “I’m just trying to do what is best for you,Raine.”
I sat in the folding chair next to him, taking his large, leathery hand in mine. “Iknow.”
“We’ll get through this baby doll. I just can’t see you head down this rough road. This life is too dangerous. I want moreforyou.”
“But what about whatIwant?”
His eyes locked on the floor. “I know what you want, but I am your father and I know what is best for youRaine.”
I stood up and yelled, “I am not a freakingchild.”
Slowly, my father rose to his feet, gripped my shoulders, and glared into my eyes. Through gritted teeth, he tried to even his temper. “But you’re my child and I love you more than anyone, includingRyder.”
Tears started to sting my eyes. “You don'tknowthat.”
“But, I do, baby doll. Isurelydo.”
I wiped my eyes, pulling away from him. “I have a shift tostart.”
He nodded and watched me walk out of the office without sayinganotherword.