"Seriously, Elsie? Is this what this is all about? Why you've been so irrational lately? Blowing up at Sunday's dinner? Because of some itch you're getting scratched by some..." he trailed off, waving a hand dismissively.
I expected her to shrink away, to let it drop. From all I could tell about their relationship, she always backed down, always cowered. That was what he raised her to do. But she didn't. She sat up straight which I knew sent a stab of pain through her body, but she was trying to stand her ground. "Some what, Dad? Where were you going with that?"
"Drop it, Elsie," he commanded, voice frigid.
"Were you going to say something about him having tattoos? About him not wearing a suit at all hours of the day? Or were you going to go deeper than that? Comment on the fact that he's not the right shade for me? Is that it?"
I felt my brows go up. She was on a tear. Her entire body looked like it was vibrating with rage. And while a part of me was pleased that she wanted to stand up for me, the other part was wondering why she would be so livid over a little nothing comment.
"I'm not a fucking racist, Elsie Ann," he barked and I honestly believed him.
"Then what, Dad?"
"You can do better," he answered simply.
Maybe I should have bristled at that, but a part of me might have agreed with him a little. She did deserve someone who didn't keep company with people who could shoot people from a distance an eagle couldn't see from, who didn't have a brother who just got beat out of a street gang, who didn't lose his shit and nearly beat a man to death.
"You don't even know him. You can't say that."
"Fine," Edward conceded, turning slightly to me. "I will get to know you over Sunday dinner at my house then."
"We can't. We have plans at Paine's mother's house this Sunday."
"Sundays are mine."
"Until you refused to talk about Elana being missing."
"For the last God-damn time, Elsie, Elana is not missing."
Elsie's head jerked back at the same time I felt myself stiffen. There was something in his tone, something off. Elsie's head tilted a little, her air rushing out on what was almost a sigh. "You knew, didn't you? You knew she was still in town."
"Of course I knew," Edward said in a tone that suggested he was offended she might think he was in the dark about anything.
"Did you know what she was up to? Did you know she stole from Rhett and Roman? Did you know she was taking over a street gang and cooking meth?"
"This is family business," Edward said, giving Elsie a look that was meant to make her drop it.
"You knew. You knew all of that. Oh my God," Elsie groaned, looking down to her lap and shaking her head. "And you just let me worry myself sick over it."
"I told you to drop it."
"And I thought you were being an unfeeling asshole!" she shrieked, making my brows raise and her father actually falter back a step in surprise. "God what a shitty family it turns out I have, huh?" she asked, looking over at me, but all I saw was pain there.
"Baby, I don't think this is the time or place for this. You've had a rough night. You're tired. Let's just let this go for right now."
"Tuesday night," Edward said to her, but also to me as well, then turned and left the room. No hug for his daughter. No hoping she felt better soon. No offer to be a call away should she need anything.
I wondered how Elsie came out of his house as she did. She was warm and sweet and affectionate. Even when she was riled, she didn't pull that holier-than-thou attitude her father wore like a shield. Was it her sister that pulled her through? Those two had definitely seemed like they'd had a strong bond if the way she had spoken about her was anything to go by. If that was the case, she must be especially hurting to have had that bond ripped from her a couple hours ago.
She still had Roman though.
As much as I wasn't exactly thrilled about her best friend being a guy who was admittedly in love with her, I understood the situation. I trusted her. I didn't need to trust him. And he was good for her. They had history. He was like family to her. Now, with her sister gone and her and her dad on the outs, she needed that more than ever.
Granted, I planned on sharing my crazy family with her: my mom, sisters, aunts, grandmother, as well as Breaker, Alex, Shooter, and Amelia. But I knew that wasn't the same, at least not at first. Maybe down the road she could see them that way.