Fighting Temptation Read Online Free Page B

“Honey, I know you’ve been miserable up here. Believe me, I know it’s depressing, and I know all too well what it’s like to sit there and wait for the other shoe to drop. Expecting something worse to happen than already has. I hate seeing you up here, wasting away. I know that most of this is my fault; I just hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
    I’m so happy I’m about to cry; I can feel the tears burning in my eyes. “Dad, I know you’ve always tried to do what’s best. I think it’s time that you took a step back, too. I mean, how much longer can you stay just out of reach of law enforcement? How much longer before the other guy gets the upper hand on you? I worry about you, too.”
    He smiles and pulls me up for a hug. “Sweetie, trust me. My retirement is coming soon. I’m getting my things in order right now. I know it won’t make up for the past six months. I know that it won’t make up for everything you lost as a teenager. But you’re right. I’m too old to be getting in fights and dodging bullets.”
    I lean back and smile. “So let’s have this pizza and beer as a celebratory dinner then. How soon before I can leave?”
    “I was planning on sleeping here tonight. Since it’s so late, and then we can get up in the morning and head out.”
I take a sip of my beer. “Sounds like a plan.”
    “Your mother is definitely going to be happy to see you. She’s been so worried the entire time you’ve been up here.”
    I sigh. “I know. She texts me all the time. I do have to admit I am sort of missing interacting with the rest of the human population.”
He chuckles. “Well, I guess I can relate to that.”
A thought pops into my head. “I’ll be in town when Gabby has the baby!”
He nods. “Yes, I suppose you will.”
I’m giddy all of a sudden. “I’ve missed her entire pregnancy. I have to make it up to her.”
    My dad smiles. “Honey, I think she’ll just be happy to see you. I mean, you guys have lived together for two years now.”
    Just then it dawns on me. I don’t have a place to stay when I get back into town. For the first time in my life, I’m kind of homeless. I mean, don’t get me wrong; I know I’m always welcome back at my mom’s or even my dad’s. The thing is, I’ve gotten used to not having them around all the time. If I move back, it will be like taking a huge step backward.
My dad notices my fallen face. “Daria, what’s wrong? You were so happy a few minutes ago.”
    “I was just thinking about where I’m going to live when I get back to town. I have to be in town, because I plan on going back to school in the fall. It’s not like I really have the option for roommates anymore. I’m pretty sure after last December I’m wearing the equivalent to a scarlet letter on my chest.”
    My dad sighs. “I’ve thought about that. You wouldn’t even be in any of this mess if hadn’t been for me. You’ve never allowed me to support you, not since you went to college, with the exception of the little bit of tuition and books you owe. You’ve always used the money that was given to your mother for child support. So I bought you an apartment. It’s close to the college and it’s in a safe neighborhood. There are three bedrooms, so if you decide to get roommates, you’ll have space.”
I shake my head. “Dad!”
    He puts his hands up to stop me. “It’s yours; it’s in your name. You wouldn’t be without roommates, a semester behind, and full of traumatic memories if it weren’t for me. So, it is yours, free and clear.”
I stand there in shock. Finally, I just nod my head. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
He pulls me into a big hug. “I love you, too, honey. I’m just so sorry. Have you talked to your friends lately?”
    I shake my head. “I text some with Anna, but none of them know anything about where I’m at or what I’ve been doing. I know she wants me to come to Gabby’s baby shower in a couple of weeks. So now