Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

But to my surprise, he smirks. “New boyfriend there, Autumn?”

“None of your goddamn business,” Mom seethes and my eyes widen.

Aw, shit.

My mom never cusses.

“Yeah, I am. What’s it to you?” Coach says and I look to Jude for help, but he’s got a dumb grin on his face. When I look at Jayden, he’s just looking at me, waiting.

Asshole.

Obviously, since I made this mess, I have to clean it up.

But before I can, Dad takes a step toward Coach, which I think is insane for obvious reasons, before saying, “It’s nothing to me. I left her a long time ago.”

Mom glares as Coach moves in front of her, towering over my dad. Baylor pulls her dad’s hand, but he isn’t moving while he snarls, “Yeah, your loss, my gain.”

“Hardly, believe me.”

I look to my siblings for help, but they are only watching, not even moving. Fucking great.

Letting Avery go, I step between the two men. With my back to Coach, I say, “Wow, okay. There is no need for this. You’re leaving.”

“What?” Dad asks, incredulous. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing. I’m asking you to go because we are going.”

He glares, his eyes cutting into mine, and I’m finding it hard to catch my breath. I’ve always been scared of my dad—he’s always been the disciplinarian, the scary one in our family. But I’ll be damned if he’s going to tear down my mom in front of me, or if I’m going to allow Coach to go down for my douche-ass dad.

“I see how it is.”

“See it however you want, but I need you to go. You’re upsetting my mom.”

When my mom’s hand comes into mine, I clench it as I watch my dad scrutinize me. My heart is in my throat, sweat is dripping down my forehead, but I have to stand up to him. He isn’t allowed to hurt her anymore.

“Okay, great game, son. I’ll be in touch.”

I don’t say anything as he turns, kissing the top of Angie’s head before looking at Lucy. “I want to see my granddaughter.”

Lucy’s lips tremble as her eyes narrow further. “Cover your ears, Angie Lynn.”

Angie does what she is told, and my sister says, “How about you go fuck yourself?”

Gasping, my dad’s glare deepens. “I am your—”

“Nothing, you are nothing to us,” Jude retorts.

“Absolutely nothing. And you have no right to anyone in this family, especially not Angie,” Jayden bites out, his eyes dark with hate.

But my dad isn’t affected; he just rolls his eyes. “Always the follower, huh, Jayden? Jude tells you to jump, and you do it.”

Jayden takes a step forward, going toe-to-toe with my dad. But before I can step between them, Coach is there, his hand on Jayden’s chest. “Damn right. I’d rather follow him and look up to him than to the piece of shit, cheating whore that is my father.”

Dad glares and then looks at Coach. “That’s my boy. I can handle him.”

“From what I’m hearing, you’re nothing to him. Don’t worry, though,” Coach says with a wink. “I’ve got him and your ex-wife. Hell, I’ve got them all.”

Well, then.