“Dad,” I say, alerting his attention and he stands up to his feet. Wobbling to the side, I instinctively offer a hand and he takes it as always.

“Chrissy, listen to me. I’m sorry. If I had any other choice.” He continues his ridiculous excuse of why he would offer my body as payment of a debt.

I hold my hand up in the air. “Just stop, Dad. For once, just admit it. Admit you’re wrong. That what you did is inexcusable.” Dex’s arms cross against his body again and I’m desperate to feel the security of them again because it’s confirmed my dad doesn’t give a shit about me.

“It was inexcusable. I’m sorry.” His apology doesn’t quite reach his eyes as he makes no attempt at physical contact. “Where have you been anyway?” he asks and I’m reluctant to tell him. He’ll just want something from me, and as anger mixes with shame that I never saw how uncaring he was earlier, I’m glad Dex takes over so I can grab a hold of these feelings inside me.

“None of your business.” Dex steps forward again, easily situating himself into the protective stance.

“Edge,” my dad begs and Dex’s head automatically shakes side to side.

“How much total to clear you out of danger?” Mr. Prescott asks my dad, and he whips his head around.

“Shit, I don’t know, Theo.” His palm rubs across his face, dragging down to his jaw. “Twenty? Twenty-five?” He acts obtuse, although we all know he knows the number. He’s not some twenty-something newbie that just entered the games.

We all cock our heads and his eyes close, exasperated by our questions. “Twenty-eight,” he finally confesses.

“How could you, dad? Get it that high? Who allowed you?” I yell and Dex places his hand on my arm. My eyes dart to his and I take a deep breath.

“He cheated,” Dex mumbles and every puff of air deflates from me. Cheating is another realm completely. I’m surprised my dad’s still here after that. “Different people are looking for him,” Dex admits and I’m saddened that he kept that secret to himself. But I understand why he might have. Dex may have felt that I was finally free of my dad and didn’t want me to get sucked in. Which I’m afraid, by my heart pulling toward my dad’s situation, is going to happen.

“Oh, God.” I sigh, biting the side of my lip.

“Please, Chrissy. I need your help.” My dad steps forward, but Dex pulls me back.

Once he distances us from our dads, he places his hands on both of my shoulders. “I see you fighting yourself.” His eyes aren’t angry, but only filled with concern. In this moment, the warm loving feeling wraps around me. The safety of a new life with Dex—someone who would never hurt me the way my dad has. “I have some money, that I won. If you want to give it to him, it’s yours. But Chrissy, eventually you’ll have to walk away. You can’t save him.” Dex reasons with me, with the truth that my dad needs the will to change. I can’t do it for him.

“I know. It’s just, cheating? I mean you know what it means, Dex.” I leave it at that because we don’t need to inform the other of the harm my dad is probably in. Could he get out of it? Maybe. “I won’t take your money though.” I stand there and stare up into the dark sky with the few stars out for viewing tonight, as images of my dad’s swollen face or dead body lying in an alley flash across my mind. I can practically hear the morgue calling me to claim his body after whoever he cheated gets their revenge. This one decision could seal his fate and I’m not sure I have the strength to make it.

“If it makes you feel better this time, go ahead,” Dex wraps his arms around my body and I bury my head into his chest. Fighting the tears from tumbling down, I lean back and glance over to my dad one more time.

He sits on the steps with his head in his hands while Mr. Prescott’s finger points, lecturing him. “He’ll only do it again. You know as well as I do.” I grip Dex tighter, wanting the comfort of the one who does love me because my dad definitely does not. Pushing back from him slightly, I allow his heartfelt blue eyes to give me the courage and support to take this step for myself. “I have no choice,” I tell him and his lips turn at the corners a little because he agrees, but wishes it was different.

Placing his hands on either side of my face, he makes sure never to break contact. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what you choose.”

My hands cover his and I take the deepest breath of my life. His unwavering, caring eyes bring an appreciation that I have such a wonderful man that won’t leave me, no matter what I choose. “Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me. You have me by your side forever.” He bends down and kisses me short and sweet.

“You two a couple now?” my dad yells over to us and our faces tear apart, giving him our attention.

“They are.” Mr. Prescott widens his stance in front of my dad while crossing his arms.

“About damn time,” he says, springing up from his seated position, flashing a I just won the lottery grin. “Edge, can I talk to you?” He hooks his finger and motions for Dex to come to him. Dex’s eyes peer down to me, unsure, and an annoyed huff leaves my lips.

Figuring out my dad’s plan of attack, I take the five steps over the cement driveway to face my dad once and for all. “So, you’re happy about me and Dex?” I ask, displaying a concerned daughter act.

“Why would I not? I’ve thought for years you two should be together.” My dad leisurely places his hands in his pockets and raises his shoulders up and down.

“What did you need with Dex, then?” I ask, and Dex’s heavy steps can be heard behind me before his hand reaches my hip, wrapping me in the comfort of his presence.

“I thought since he’s practically family, we could work something out.” He turns to Dex, whose hand tightens around me. “I promise I’ll make good.” He dishes out those empty filled guarantees and the urge to slap him twitches in my hand.

My fists tighten next to my thighs and heat rushes up to my face. “Absolutely NOT!” I scream. Lowering my voice after realizing the quiet streets of Mr. Prescott’s neighborhood, I continue, “Will you ever change?” On the brink of tears from his careless attitude toward what he’s done makes me frustrated beyond belief. He’ll never truly love me and consistently put me in bad positions, leaving me to never have a life of my own.

“Chrissy, listen to me. This is perfect. Edge can help me with some sure things and then I’ll be out—” He holds his hands up in the air in defense.

“Save it. I’m done. I love you, Dad, but I can’t live like this anymore. I can’t allow your life to dictate mine.” Taking Dex’s hand in mine, I tighten my hold and allow his blue eyes to ease me. “My future is a good one now and I’m taking my life in my own hands.” Dex’s lips turn up at my confession. Then I whip my head to my dad’s direction again. “Unfortunately, if you can’t clean up your act, there’s no room for you. So, good luck, Dad. I hope you can figure something out.” Leaning into Dex’s muscled chest, I whisper, “Take me home, please.”

Dex remains silent and walks me to his truck. My dad remains planted on the driveway, stunned to discover I won’t help him and neither will Dex. My body begins to slowly crumble as though I chipped off an edge of a cake where the frosting was holding it all together. Doubting my decision every mile, it took all of my self-control not to ask Dex to turn around. Take him up on that offer of the money and save my dad one last time. By the time we get home, tears threaten in my eyes with nightmare thoughts of what will happen to my dad.

The house is dark and empty of our roommates when the truck pulls in the driveway. I patiently wait for Dex to open my passenger door for me and when he sees my face, he yanks me into his body. The strong arms secure me that I indeed did make the right decision. My arms wrapped around his neck, he carries me into the house bride style. He doesn’t flick a light on, leaving the darkness to consume us. When we reach his bedroom, he takes off my clothes and then his own before laying us down in his bed. “I promise to always take care of you, Chrissy.” I tug on his hands and bring them up to my chest.