“Sure, of course, but is it safe for you to drive? How much have you drunk?”
“I’m fine.”
“Look, Andy. I know you’re angry but don’t bullshit me. How much have you drunk? Because I’m not allowing you to drive anywhere like this.”
Again, I refuse to listen and throw back another drink. Then, just when I think Millie’s silence means she’ll leave me alone, I see her motion to Dad to come over.
Great.
I let out an annoyed huff, throwing back another as he places his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll take you home, son.”
“You want to take me somewhere?” Fine. But not home. Take me to Melrose.”
“Why Melrose?” Millie questions.
“Any club where I can find a woman to make me forget tonight ever happened.”
Millie looks at Dad, but he doesn’t say anything, and I don’t expect him to. He doesn’t involve himself unless he feels his opinion is of value, unlike Millie, who in many ways is just like my overbearing mother.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll take you,” Dad informs me.
Across the patio, Jessa is dancing with Ava and Luna. Her body moves freely with a smile permanently fixed and an occasional break into laughter.
But then, as if she senses me staring, her gaze shifts, and the smile on her face disappears. I can work it in my head in so many ways, assume the furrowed brows and drooping shoulders express the hurt she feels. Maybe, the downturned mouth and pained expression is the regret over how she handled us.
No matter how I break it down, it all comes down to this.
Jessa Bentley-Mason is marrying someone else.
And there’s not a goddamn thing I can do about it.