One night stand with my daddy's best friend
25

Chapter 25 Ava

I stared out the passenger window, my entire body numb. We were across town, far away from my dad. But my head was still stuck in the dining room under the storm clouds of his anger.

I heaved a sigh and sank into the seat. If I could turn back time, I'd... Not tell him?

Do what?

Nothing! There was nothing I could have done differently to make my dad less infuriated.

I shut my eyes against the image of his angry red face. But doing that only made it stand out clearer.

At first, he funneled his rage at Liam. He certainly would have thrown a punch at him if I hadn't been there.

But then, he turned on me.

I swallowed thickly, squeezing a fistful of my dress.

He looked at me like he'd never seen me before. Like I was a stranger he didn't recognize.

He hated me now.

Just thinking it produced a whimper I couldn't hide. I'd used all my optimism and energy on my dad, telling him about the baby and enduring the fallout afterward. Anything that happened now, I didn't have the energy to fight it. "Ava." Liam's voice whisked away the jumble of thoughts in my head. "Are you alright?"

"He hates me," I whispered. "He doesn't."

"Yes, he does."

"No."

"I wish I could have... If I'd only..." My throat tightened. "That went horribly wrong. Maybe if I would've-"

"There's nothing we could have done differently, Ava. Thomas got mad because that was his earnest reaction. We can't control how people react."

"He kicked us out of his house!"

"In the heat of the moment. But I'm certain once he's had time to think about it, he'll come around."

I shook my head even before he finished speaking. "I don't think so. I've never seen him that angry. Have you?"

"Ava..."

"No, really." I shifted in my seat so I faced him. "Have you?"

Tight lines traced the corners of his eyes and his lips pressed into a flat line.

Seconds passed and he had no response for me.

"I thought as much." I dropped back in the seat and stared out at the brake lights moving in front of us. "He'll never speak to us again." "It'll be alright, Ava."

"Just because you say it over and over doesn't mean it'll happen!" I pressed my hands to my face, instant regret rushing through me.

Liam wasn't at fault. I shouldn't have raised my voice. I was just so frustrated that I-

"Come back home with me."

I raised my gaze to meet his. "What?" "I don't want you to be alone tonight."

That was sweet. Especially after I just shouted at him. But... I shook my head. "I'd like to go to Linea's, please."

The car's engine was the only sound for a few moments. "Alright," Liam said evenly.

Guilt twisted in my gut. We'd just endured a difficult evening. It made sense to process it together.

But being with him after all that happened seemed wrong. Like my Dad's anger was justified.

He never wanted to see us together again.

Not that he had followed us and would know where I spent the night. I just needed some time apart.

"Are you mad?" I murmured.

"No, I'm not. Ava, I can't be mad at you."

His words spread a balm over the guilt tearing through me. At least one person I cared about didn't see me as a villain. "It's just what I need right now, some time apart. I just need a bit of space."

Liam side-eyed me. "I understand, Ava. It's alright."

He didn't sound like it was alright. I felt the need to further explain myself, but I resisted. There was nothing more to say.

I gave him Linea's address. Every mile that brought us closer to her place seemed to push us farther apart.

The truck came to a stop in front of her building. It felt wrong to leave him like this, especially because there seemed to be many unsaid words hanging between us. "Liam, are you okay?"

He nodded, gray eyes fixed on me. "I'm fine."

I swallowed, dread filling me. This felt like an end. And I didn't want any endings where Liam was concerned.

"H-how are you always so calm?"

A sad smile stretched his lips. "I'm not." I smiled back and waited.

Maybe he'd touch me. Give me a peck on the forehead. A gentle squeeze of my hand.

Anything. Seconds passed. Nothing happened.

He just stared at me intently, as if to make sure I was okay. I forced a smile and opened the door. "Good night, Liam."

I didn't wait for his response. My feet hit the sidewalk and I moved to Linea's door. Then I paused and turned.

Liam's truck was still there. He looked at me, brows furrowed.

For some reason, my chin started to tremble and my heart hammered. I ducked my head and knocked. Linea opened the door so fast, it was as though she had been waiting for me.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Oh, Ava."

I let her pull me into her arms.

"I messed up." My voice was muffled against her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay." She ran her hands down my hair and back. I pulled in a deep breath, willing myself to believe it.

Seconds passed before the familiar rumble of Liam's truck kicked up. I stood straighter and looked toward the door. The sound carried for a bit, then faded.

I squeezed my eyelids shut and forced the tears back. I was my choice to stay at Linea's.

"Come on." Linea looped her arm through mine and pulled me into her home.

I followed, only replaceing the strength to shuffle one foot in front of the other.

Linea eased me into a chair by the kitchen table. "Hungry?" "Yeah, we didn't even get to eat dinner."

"Yikes," Linea muttered. She moved around the kitchen, then stopped. "So, it looks like I don't have any real food. Just ice cream."

"That's fine."

"Cool."

A tub of ice cream appeared in front of me with a spoon sticking out of it.

I dug in and filled my mouth with the cold chocolate caramel treat.

I could have been eating dirt for all I knew. Instead of enjoying the yummy deliciousness, all I could do was replay through my head the terrible evening I'd experienced.

A few moments of silence passed before Linea spoke. "Want to tell me how it went?"

Maybe speaking about it out loud would bring me some peace. "We arrived at my dad's early this evening..."

Linea took the seat next to me, watching me with careful eyes. A couple of days ago, I called and told her what Liam and I decided. She had always been in support of telling Dad. What none of us anticipated, though, was how badly he would take it. When I narrated how he reacted, Linea gasped.

"So, that's how it went. Dad hates me now and I can't even look at Liam because...well, how can we ever face my dad again? I didn't want this to happen. I didn't-"

The tears I sniffed back all evening poured out of me now. I pressed my hands to my face, sobbing.

Linea had no words for me. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

I cried until my tears were dried up and I was left with only a shuddering breath. "I don't know what to do, Lin. Where do I go from here?"

"Hey..." Linea brushed back my hair and tipped my face up. "Oh my." I wiped my eyes. "I look bad, huh?"

"Hideous."

Laughter cracked out of me, then my vision blurred as the tears started

again.

"Oh, dear." Linea rubbed my shoulder. "It'll be alright."

"It won't. You didn't see how mad my dad was. He'll never get past the fact that Liam's the father. And if he can't accept Liam, will he accept our baby?"

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"Of course, he will. Don't think like that, Ava." She scooted forward. "Your dad loves you. And based on what you told me, he was mostly worried that Liam was taking advantage of you." "But he's not!"

"It might take some time for your dad to realize that."

I sniffed and wiped my cheeks. "You should have seen his face. He looked wounded, like I had betrayed him."

She squeezed my shoulder.

"He was ready to punch Liam. They're best friends! If I would have just stayed away from Liam that first night, all of this wouldn't have happened."

"Do you really mean that?"

My lip quirked. "No, not really. I'd probably do it again. Maybe ask him to "

"Um, no." Linea hopped off her chair. "That's where I draw the line." I chuckled. "Wait, don't you want to hear-"

"Nope. I'm not listening to your sexcapades between you and your-" "Baby's father."

"Baby's father," she repeated.

Reality snuck back in and wrapped me up in its clutches. I couldn't go back and change the past. And I didn't want to.

Liam was like no other man I'd dated, and having a baby with him was a dream come true.

I only wished I'd handled things with my dad in a better way.

"I didn't mean to keep it from him." I turned to Linea, who now stood by the sink. "I was just scared of how he'd react. And now... It's worse than I ever expected."

"You can't control how your dad acts, Ava."

I sighed. "I guess. I just wish he didn't feel like I've betrayed him. All my life, he's always been there for me. I told him everything until this."

Linea sat down next to me and took my hand in hers. "Your dad treasures you. You're the most important thing in his world. And I don't think this will get in the way of your relationship permanently." I eyed her.

"He already loves your baby. What parent talks of throwing a party to celebrate the news?"

A feeling of relief passed through me, but it didn't last. The memory of dad's fury was too strong.

"Look, he's entitled to his reaction. But when all is said and done, I think you'll replace that he'll be there to support you."

I raised a disbelieving brow. "Really?"

Linea's smile was brilliant. "I know it. Just you watch."

I sagged back in the chair, trying to picture Dad accepting Liam and me as a couple, and our baby. Because we were the entire package; he couldn't accept us and exclude Liam.

You touched her. He took advantage of you. Get out of my house!

I shut my eyes, trying to block out the words. He would never let it go.

"Ava?"

I blinked and my friend's face came into focus. "But what if he doesn't?

What if he never comes around?" Linea didn't have a response.