After We Fell Read Free Page A

Tessa—she’s mine. And I know what the fuck you’re up to, so don’t think for a goddamn second you’re fooling me.”
    He raises his hands meekly. “I’m not up to anything, I—”
    â€œWhat do you want, money?”
    â€œWhat? No, of course I don’t want money. I want a relationship with my daughter.”
    â€œYou’ve had nine years to build one, and yet you’re only here because you ran into her in a damn parking lot. It’s not like you came looking for her,” I bark, having visions of my hands around his neck.
    â€œI know.” He shakes his head, looking down. “I know that I made a lot of mistakes, and I’m going to make up for them.”
    â€œYou’re drunk—right now, sitting in my kitchen, you’re fucking drunk. I know a drunk when I see one. I have no sympathy for a man who leaves his family and doesn’t even have his shit together nine years later.”
    â€œI know your intentions are good, and it makes me happy to see you try to defend my daughter, but I’m not going to mess this up. I only want to get to know her . . . and you.”
    I stay silent, trying to calm my irate thoughts.
    â€œYou’re much nicer when she’s around,” he observes quietly.
    â€œYou’re worse of an actor when she’s not around,” I retaliate.
    â€œYou have every right not to trust me, but for her sake, give me a chance.”
    â€œIf you hurt her in any way, you are dead.” Maybe I should feel a little remorse about threatening Tessa’s father like this, but I only feel anger and distrust toward the pathetic drunk. My instincts tell me to protect her, not to sympathize with a drunk stranger.
    â€œI won’t hurt her,” he promises.
    I roll my eyes and take a drink from my glass of water.
    Thinking his statement somehow settles it, he tries to joke, “This talk—our roles should be reversed, you know?”
    But I ignore him and walk into the bedroom. I have to, before Tessa comes out to find me strangling her father.

chapter three
TESSA
    I have a pillow, a blanket, and a towel in my hands when Hardin storms into the bedroom
    â€œOkay, what happened?” I ask, waiting for him to explode, waiting for him to complain that I invited my father to stay without really consulting him first.
    Hardin goes to the bed and lies down on it, then looks over at me. “Nothing. We bonded. Then I felt like I’d had enough quality time with our guest, and decided to come in here.”
    â€œPlease tell me you weren’t horrible to him.” I barely know my father. The last thing I want is more tension.
    â€œI kept my hands to myself,” he says and closes his eyes.
    â€œGuess I’ll take him a blanket and apologize for your behavior, as always,” I say with annoyance.
    In the living room, I find my father sitting on the floor, picking at the holes in his jeans. He looks up when he hears me. “You can sit on the couch,” I tell him and place my bundle on the arm of the couch.
    â€œI . . . well, I didn’t want to get anything on your couch.” Embarrassment colors his expression, and my heart aches.
    â€œDon’t worry about that . . . you can take a shower here, and I’m sure Hardin has some clothes you can wear for the night.”
    He doesn’t look at me, but lightly protests, “I don’t want to take advantage.”
    â€œIt’s okay, really. I’ll bring out some clothes; go ahead and take a shower. Here’s a towel for you to use.”
    He gives me a wan smile. “Thank you. I’m so glad to see you again. I’ve missed you so much . . . and here you are.”
    â€œI’m sorry if Hardin was rude to you. He’s . . .”
    â€œProtective?” he finishes for me.
    â€œYeah, I guess he is. He comes off very rude sometimes.”
    â€œIt’s okay.