I laugh out loud. To the point where I bend over, laughing so hard, my stomach hurts. Probably to keep from crying. Nico’s hand doesn’t leave my back. When I stand up, my dad is glaring, but I don’t care. I have no respect for this man. “Dad, who are they gonna give Callie to? A drug addict or a well-rounded citizen? Be real.”
His dark eyes turn black as he shrugs. “I think they’d want her with her father, especially after losing her mother.”
“I am her mother.” I narrow my eyes to slits. “No one would give her to you.”
“We’ll let a judge decide.”
“Yeah, when you get the money together, let me know.”
With a toothy grin, he says, “I already have it. Came into some money a couple weeks ago.”
My blood boils. “You stole it. But please, try me. You won’t get shit. I have records, I have voice mails, everything. This place is mine. That girl in there is mine. You are dead to us.”
He glares, and I can see the anger boiling inside him. I was always the one to fight with him when he was wrong. Mom never understood why we were oil and water, but I know. He’s a piece of dog shit. “You’ve always been a real—”
“Before you finish that sentence, remember that I’m here,” Nico says, and when I look up at him, I’ve never felt safer. “I don’t do well with women being called names.”
I look back at my dad, and he’s fuming. He looks like he did when my mom died. He was pissed, hating everyone. We got into our biggest fight, the one that ultimately ended with him leaving us. I don’t regret that fight. He was only concerned with getting his fix—not helping Callie or me, or settling Mom’s affairs. He goes to turn around, but before doing so fully, he mutters, “I’ll be back.”
“And I’ll be here.”
Dad pauses, his eyes cutting to Nico’s. But thankfully, he doesn’t say anything. He gets into his car and drives away while Nico’s hand continues to stroke along my back. I almost lean into him, but I’m completely humiliated. Out of all the people to be out here with me, it had to be Nico? He probably thinks my life is a pile of shit on fire. He’ll want to run, I’m sure.
“So, he’s fun.” I close my eyes as his hand snakes around my waist. He pulls me back into him, and I allow him to. At my ear, he asks, “Are you okay?”
I’m shaking with anger. I hate to admit it, but I’m terrified of my dad. As much as I want to believe he can’t do anything to ruin my shitshow of a life, what if he can? I swallow hard as I shrug. “I hate him.”
“Yeah, there is nothing redeeming about him.” He kisses my earlobe. “You’re breathing so hard. It’s okay. I’d never let anything happen to you.” He kisses me again. “Seriously, Aviva, this isn’t good for your heart. Breathe.”
Tears rush to my eyes, and I close them tightly to keep them in. I refuse to cry in front of him. I know he thinks I’m a complete mess. He isn’t wrong. I turn out of his arms. “Thanks. Listen, I’ve got things to do.” I hook my thumb to the shop.
When a tear escapes, I hide my face, but I don’t do a good enough job. Nico grabs my wrist instantly, pulling me to him. I don’t know why I go; it’s like I don’t have control of my body. I find myself trapped in his arms, pressed against his hard chest, and I come undone. A sob bubbles in my throat, and soon, I’m clinging to him as it escapes. Callie could come out at any time, but I truly don’t care. I can’t keep this in. I’m so scared.
He kisses my temple, then the top of my head while whispering comforting words. “It’s okay. Nothing is going to happen. I won’t let it. It’s okay, Aviva. Breathe.”
“I hate him,” I cry, and I hate how hard I’m clinging to Nico. I’ve never let go this completely. Never cried like this in front of anyone, but the thought of losing Callie or even this shop has me freaking the hell out. “I can’t let him take her—”
“He won’t. Aviva, he won’t. It won’t happen. Jaylin would freak and tear him a new one. Plus, Callie wouldn’t go with him. She loves you. You are everything to her. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Why can’t just one thing go right?” I ask, rubbing my nose in his chest. “Just one thing. I feel like I’m always battling something to get ahead. My car—totaled—but since I only had liability, I’m fucked. But I didn’t have the budget for full coverage because it gave me more money to buy supplies for the shop. Jaylin says I can buy her car, but it’s almost a damn freebie for a hundred bucks. So, that’s a no. I gotta figure out how I’m gonna get a car, and leasing one right now just seems impossible. I think I get ahead on my bills, but then my dad steals money from me. The gym wants money for Callie, and I have to pay them because I refuse to allow anyone to pay her way. But I don’t know how. Callie’s savings is diminishing, and damn it, I need one fucking thing to go right.” He tightens his arms around me as his lips trail along my temple. “Ugh, I’m such a mess. Run. Run now.”