“Try again,” I frowned.
“Rachel… Everything is fine.”
“Well, that was believable. If you don’t tell me, I’m turning the car around right now and coming to see you.”
“I’m not at home either, so good luck with that.” he sounded completely deflated and my frown deepened.
“What? Why? Where are you?”
“A hotel.”
“I’ll repeat: what? Why? Where are you? And don’t you dare lie,” I warned before he had the chance to try palm me off with more excuses.
“Rachel…”
“I’m a big girl, dad. You don’t need to protect me anymore. Whatever you have to say, I can handle it. Let’s face it, I’ve probably done worse,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
“That’s true… Fine. Your mother and I have decided to split,” he said. I slammed my foot on the brakes, sending the car skidding to a halt.
“Give me your location. I’m coming to get you. There’s not a fucking chance you’re staying in a hotel.”
“You’re not even going to ask why?”
“Have you truly split up?”
“Err… yes. Why would I say it otherwise?”
“Then I don’t need to know why,” I said simply. “It’s your business, and no less than she deserves. I’m not interested in the why, I’m interested in the where. So, let me ask again, where are you?”
“Rachel… As much as I appreciate you wanting to take care of me, just… Give me a few days, okay? I’m still processing things, and that compound of yours is very… full on.”
“You can say that again,” I interrupted with a scoff. I can’t believe only a few days ago I was complaining about it being quiet.
“I just want some time to myself. At the end of the week, you’re welcome to come and get me. But for now, leave me be. Please.”
“Dad—”
“I’m serious, Rachel. Time alone sounds like heaven right now.”
“Fine,” I snapped reluctantly. “But I want daily updates. Morning and night. And if you need me, you ring me straightaway and I’ll drop everything. I’ll get one of the old ladies to have a house made up for you. Unless you’d prefer to stay in the clubhouse with us? The main bar is there, so it can get quite hectic. But the upstairs of the house has soundproofed rooms, and members aren’t really permitted to be wandering around the living quarters, anyway. Dante’s rules. Plus, the kids live there, so you’ll see them all the time, too.”
“The clubhouse sounds great,” he said, his tone brightening at the mention of the children.
“And the rest of my conditions?”
“Daily updates, Rachel. I promise,” he said as I pulled the car into the car park of Greasy.
“Morning and night?”
“I’ll push the boat out and do morning, afternoon, and night.”
“That might be a bit too far. I’d have to block you if you contact me that much.”
He laughed then, sounding much more cheerful than he had at the beginning of the phone call.
“Duly noted. I’ll let you get back to your business.Safebusiness.”
“Couldn’t be any safer than if I was wearing a condom.”
