Since that night in the bar, Aaron has been how he always was, caring, funny, the best friend a girl could wish for, any hint of how he acted that night has faded as if it never happened. Although, any mention of Kyle, has him cursing, his body becoming rigid.
I still have no idea why he hates him so much, I know he’s trying to be a good friend and look out for me, but Gwen has accepted him, why can’t Aaron? To keep the peace, I attempt to avoid causing anymore discomfort and conflict between us and try not to speak of Kyle in front of him if I can help it.
“Oh, here comes lover boy,” Shannon says.
My eyes flick to the door where Kyle saunters in.
My breath catches in my throat as he makes his way over to me, butterflies fluttering in my stomach with nerves and excitement, as if it’s the first time I’ve laid eyes on him. His black button-down shirt and grey jeans cling to his rock-solid body, his black leather jacket hugging his thick biceps.
“Hi,” I say as he draws nearer.
“Hey, beautiful.” His arms wrap around my waist and I’m lifted off the ground as his lips meet mine, gently, not in their usual desperation and hunger. The kiss is sweet and tender.
A loud cough emanates from behind me. Kyle sets me back down and I turn to find Uncle Jack watching us, his eyebrow raised, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
“Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the lovin', God knows I had my fair share at your age, good at it too, but think how it feels to be the girl’s uncle, having to watch it.”
“Ew, Uncle Jack.” I cringe.
His head falls back as he laughs. “Get outta here, you two. It ain’t busy in here, go have fun, but not too much.” He winks.
“Again, ew.”
He continues to laugh, seeming to revel in how uncomfortable I feel.
“You sure?” I ask.
“Yeah, get gone.”
I round the counter and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Uncle Jack.”
I untie the apron from my waist and fold it up, placing it behind the counter. I reach for my bag and throw it over my shoulder.
“You take care of my girl, you hear?” Uncle Jack warns Kyle.
“Of course,” he replies. He takes my hand. “I’d never let anything happen to her.”
“Bye, Uncle Jack,” I say as he waves us off as we exit the diner.
We climb into his car and the engine roars to life, the deep growl vibrating through my body.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, I have five missed calls from my dad. My stomach drops. I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t hurt to be away from him because it does. Despite everything, I miss him. We’ve never been apart for this long before, a single day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t either seen or spoken to him, especially not since my mom died.
The thought of him being alone makes me want to cry, the thought that he thinks I hate him for what he did. Maybe I should, but after all, he’s still my dad, and I love him, but I don’t want to speak to him, I’m too tired to get into yet another fight with him.
But what if he’s in trouble, what if he’s hurt?
Before I can talk myself out of it, I answer. “Dad?”
“Hales, I need you, sweetheart.” His voice is thick, as though he’s been crying, his words coming out slurred like he’s been drinking. He never drinks, not for a few years now, not since my mom died.
“Dad, have you been drinking?”
“It doesn’t matter. I... I just need to see you, to talk. Please Hales.”
I sigh. “Okay, I’m on my way.”
I hang up and turn to Kyle, “Wait here.” I jump out of the car and run back into the diner. “Uncle Jack, I need your help.”
I give my uncle the run-down of everything that has happened over the past few weeks, about the casino, the deal between my dad and Kyle, my dad’s gambling, and his debts and how he lied to me. He takes it all in and sits in silence for most of the journey to my house, only asking me a handful of questions.
“So, what’s happening with you two?” he asks, nods his head towards Kyle.
“He’s not forcing me, I want to be with him.” Kyle takes my hand in mine and squeezes. He looks over at me and smiles.
I look back at my uncle and he winks, nodding slowly.
We head into my house to find my dad sprawled on the couch, cradling a half-empty bottle of Jack. The house is a mess, empty takeout containers, cans, and bottled litter the floor and coffee table.
“Dad?”
His head snaps to me and he sighs in relief. “Hayley,” he breathes out, wearing a small smile. His eyes flick to Kyle who’s stood behind me and the smile disappears. “What are you doing here?” he shouts.
He jumps up from the couch but loses his balance, I reach out to catch him, or at least break his fall. Both Kyle and my uncle come over to help, but he jerks away from Kyle’s touch.
His eyes land on my uncle. “Ah! Jack. Finally, someone who’ll listen to me. This rich prick tricked me into a poker game, takes my money, takes Hayley away from me and poisons her against me.” We pull him up back onto the couch.
“Dad, not this again.”
“Look,
