Addicted

He pounced on the bed and turned on his side, curling up and smiling. "I'm sorry about what happened between Dad and Finn."

"Me, too." I reached out and brushed his hair back. "It's okay, though. I need Dad to step back, and this was just one way to make it happen. I think he thinks he can use his money to hold power over me, but he can't. It's his attention and love that I want. That would have me visiting every holiday, no matter what."

"Yeah. I think he knows that. He's just scared to care about someone and then lose them like we did Momma."

"How are you holding up? I know it's been a long time, but Dad gets so depressed this time of year." I brushed my fingers through his hair again, realizing that I'd not even thought to check on him.

"I'm okay. I just try not to think about it."

I nodded. "Me, too."

"I tried to text Finn, but he didn't respond. That was yesterday." Parker pushed my hand away. "You're going to cause my dandruff to come out, and then I'll have to shake my head and make it snow in here."

"Ew, sick." I pushed at his chest as he laughed.

"I'm worried about Finn, Sis."

"Let's go ride over to his house and see if he's there. We can get a coffee on the way."

"Peppermint hot chocolate?" Parker sat up and lifted his eyebrow in question.

"Yeah. One of those, too." I sat up and pulled with me, tucking them under my arms. "Where's Dad?"

"No clue. He left a note that said he would be back soon."

"Alright. Let's make a run for it, then. I don't really want to see him yet." I waited for my brother to leave the room before getting up and dressing in some sweats and a long-sleeve shirt.

The sound of my father taking to Parker as I walked down the hall caused my heart to contract. I adverted my gaze and walked past them, grabbing my jacket and my keys.

"Where are you going, Chloe?"

"To check on my boyfriend who's been ignoring me since yesterday. Can I use your SUV or did you want me to walk? I know nothing belongs to me, so if you want these clothes back, just let me know that, too."

"Just be careful," he mumbled and turned back to Parker, continuing their conversation.

I was surprised by his unwillingness to fight with me. I shouldn't have been egging him on, anyway. I'd promised myself that I would work on things with him, but it was so damn hard when he kept throwing daggers at the people that I cared about.

The car was nice and toasty by the time Parker got into the passenger's side and buckled up.

"What was that all about?" I glanced over at him and put the jeep in reverse.

"Dad has something special he wants to get you for Christmas, but he needs help with it." He shrugged.

"What is it?" I turned on the lights and windshield wipers, not feeling so good about driving across town all of a sudden.

"I'm not telling you," he chuckled.

I hit the brakes as the jeep rolled over something. "What was that?"

"The chains. Dad put the chains on the tires last night. I helped him."

"Where was...oh. In my room."

"Yeah, but it's cool. Gave us a chance to do something together. He stays so busy with his clients and stuff, that it was a good reason to call in. Family meltdown is what he told them."

I laughed, unable to help myself. "It was that."

"I'm glad you told him that he hadn't been a dad since Mom died. He has been to me, but I think you remind him so much of Mom that he struggles with just being around you." My brother shrugged. "It's stupid, I know, but I think that's part of it."