Knockout (Tapped Out 4)

I had to smile as I pulled on my shoes. JC turned toward me and I held up a hand. “Skip the kisses in this direction, dude.” I was only half serious.

If what I’d just seen—and what I’d felt earlier—was any indication, there was nothing at all bad about being kissed senseless by JC O’Connor.

“As you wish.” He grinned and lifted his hands, backing up.

“C’mon, Em.” Lily was already on her way to the bedroom door. “We gotta hurry.”

“Yeah.” I fistbumped JC and we headed down the hall to the front door.

He didn’t mention Friday night again, and we didn’t offer any additional information. I didn’t know what was going to happen with Lily’s dad, but the plummeting feeling in my gut told me we wouldn’t be in exactly the same place afterward.

We drove back to her place in silence. She didn’t need to tell me she was worried. The way she kept fretting and tugging at JC’s shirt told the story without so many words. During one of the times when she was yanking at the cuffs, I realized we hadn’t thought to grab her sweater on the way out.

Another dad might not notice his daughter was wearing a different top than when she’d left. That dad wasn’t Lance Matthews.

I wanted to reassure her, but what could I say? She knew as well as I did that hell was probably to pay.

Her dad wasn’t a bad guy. Far from it. He just got keyed up when Lily didn’t check in and let him know she’d be later than usual or was staying over with a friend. Tonight, she’d just spaced out and forgotten.

Sex-a-thons will do that to you.

I parked on her street and came around to her side of the car to open the door, but she was already climbing out. I extended my arm to her, wanting to give her comfort, and she bit her lip, wavering.

This was the first time she hadn’t hurtled right into my arms, and man, it stung even if I thought I understood why. She was trying to stand tall to face her dad. And apparently, stand alone, which didn’t sit well with me.

Didn’t she get I’d never let her face anything on her own, especially something like this?

We jogged upstairs to her floor in that same tense silence, then she unlocked her apartment door and slipped inside. I followed her though I wasn’t sure if she really wanted me to come in or not. Maybe it would be easier if—

“Nice to see you decided to come home.” A light flicked on in the living room and Lily startled, coming to a halt. “I was beginning to wonder.”

“Daddy.” She started to rush into the other room, then stopped and fingered the sleeve of JC’s shirt as if she’d just realized she hadn’t changed. She pushed her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I’m sorry, we lost track of time.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” I added. “It’s my fault.”

“No, it isn’t.” Lily shook her head. “It was mine. I wasn’t paying attention to the clock and I should’ve called and told you I was running late.” She moved forward and knelt beside him on the couch, her long hair falling forward to frame her face. “I didn’t mean to worry you, but I’m fine. You know nothing can happen to me when I’m with Emerson.”

“That thought has eased my mind on many nights, but not when it’s almost three a.m. and you haven’t even called. I know I’m old-fashioned, and you kids today don’t want to be bothered with your parents anymore. Think we’re old fools.”

“No, that’s not true. Of course not.” She gripped his arm and tilted her head, and I could’ve sworn I saw wet tracks on her cheeks.

At my sides, my hands fisted.

I had to speak up. No way could I let her shoulder this alone. “Sir, we were just occupied and forgot the time. Not that that’s any kind of excuse, but it’s not Lily’s fault—”

“What were you doing that had you so occupied?” Lance asked, his voice brutally quiet.

Lily shot me a panicked glance as I fumbled for an answer. Any answer.

“Playing video games—” I began.

“Watching movies—” Lily said.

We both fell silent and gazed anywhere but at each other.

“Video games and movies, hmm?” He lumbered to his feet and picked up the short glass of liquor on the end table. For as long as I’d known the man, I’d never seen him drink. “Whichever it was, I hope it was worth making your old man worry.”

“I know you worry, Daddy, and I’m sorry.”