“There's nothing to explain really. I just couldn’t do it anymore.” I’d just uttered the understatement of the century.
“Is it because he was traveling so much?”
I almost took the easy way out but didn’t. “No, Dad. It wasn’t working. It hasn’t been working for a long time, and I finally got the courage to leave him.” This was as far as I would go into the story. The realization I wouldn't have to lie to my dad anymore hit me, brightening my mood.
“Are you happy?” he asked, making me smile.
That was all my dad had ever wanted for me. “I’m getting there. I also want you to know I moved out. I need to tell you something else, but you have to promise not to go crazy on me.”
“Okay,” he agreed reluctantly.
“I'm living with a band I met at my new work. They helped me out after I broke it off with Jason. He didn’t take it very well, because I didn’t want to see him after I left.” I skimmed over the part where I’d been forced to get a restraining order, and that Jason had abused me from the beginning of our relationship, but I needed my dad to know I was safe.
“So, am I correct in assuming the members consist solely of boys?” he asked, and I chuckled over the phone.
“You're correct, sir. They're amazing boys and they have treated me with nothing but respect and affection since I moved in.”
“Are you seeing any of them as more than friends?” He was always the one to get to the bottom of things wading through as little bullshit as possible.
“There is one, but we're just friends right now. He wanted to give me time, since I’d just gotten out of my relationship with Jason.”
“And I'll be meeting these incredible boys when I come for Thanksgiving?”
D had finally gotten a call a few days ago that the JackholeS were accepted for the Tryptophan Torture Festival. But refusing my dad was not an option. We would just have to make our own tradition.
“You will, but we'll have to make it a late dinner. They're playing a festival on Thanksgiving Day. You'll love them, Dad. They're so talented, and they have hearts of gold.”
“I'm looking forward to it,” he responded gruffly.
I talked to him for a little longer, easing his mind as much as I could by asking him about Martha and avoiding any talk about Jason and our breakup. I was finally able to tell him about singing with the band on the nights they played.
While telling him about my new life, I felt empowered by how much I’d done in such a short time. I knew without the boys it would have been much harder. I wanted to believe I’d have been strong enough to accomplish it by myself, but I was glad they were with me.
When we hung up, my body erupted in nervous energy, and it took another handful of Tums to calm my stomach down.
Kill was in the kitchen talking to D and Van when I walked in. “Hey, sleepyhead. I was just going to wake you up so you wouldn’t be late for school.”
“I wasn’t sleeping,” I replied, walking over to make a cup of coffee. “I was on the phone with my dad. I hope you guys don’t mind, but I invited him and his girlfriend to Thanksgiving. He wanted to meet you, to make sure you're treating me right. I told him I would cook the whole dinner with all the fixin’s, and that we could eat after you're done playing.” I sat the mug down in front of Kill, and went over to lean against the counter, waiting for my confession to sink in.
“That’s awesome, sis. I would love to meet your dad,” Van said pushing his chair back and putting his mug into the dishwasher. “Hey, D, why don’t you come and listen to the new drum solo I’ve been working on?” Van asked slyly, winking at me as he passed. I wanted to ask what Van knew, but it would have to wait.
"I think it's great your dad is coming for Thanksgiving. It is going to be a blast at the festival," D said, getting up and following Van out to the garage.
When it was only Kill left in the kitchen, my stomach started trembling. I watched him, chewing on the inside of my lip and waiting for him to do something, anything.
“You told your dad you left Jason?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. My heart stung at the realization of how long I’d held him at arms length. His face brightened, looking hopeful.
“I did, but I didn’t tell him why I left Jason. I can’t have him worrying about me, and I know he would feel guilty if I told him the truth. But I did tell him there was never a chance we would reconcile. I also kind of told him I have a potential boyfriend in mind...if he still wants me.” I bit my bottom lip as Kill continued to stare at me.
His face split into a huge grin, and he leapt out of his chair, crashing into me before I’d registered his movement. “Thank fuck. I didn’t know how much longer I could wait to claim you as mine. I was dying,” he said, running his nose over my chin and making goosebumps flutter across my skin.
He lifted me and placed me on the counter. I wrapped my legs around him, bringing him closer, to where I needed him to be.
“What are you waiting for? Kiss me,” I said as he ran his lips over my cheeks and nipped at my chin lightly.
He pulled back, and my breath hitched at the lust burning in his eyes. His mouth crashed down on mine making, thought impossible. My legs convulsed around him, pulling him even closer. His erection rubbed against the ache I'd had since meeting him. His tongue ran across the seam of my lips, asking permission for admittance, which I granted him immediately. He yanked my hips toward him so there was nothing between us. I pushed both my hands through his hair to keep him exactly where he was.
Kill took his hands from my hips and found the hem of my shirt. When his bare hands hit my skin, I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped my lips and pushed into his mouth. He nipped my bottom lip with his teeth.