His Every Need

Immediately, she regretted the thought. She didn’t quit school and take care of her mom and sisters because she wanted her dad’s gratitude. She did it because it was the right thing to do.

But it was time to reclaim her own life.

She squelched that little voice in the back of her head. This was her life. She had chosen it, no one had forced it on her.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t still pissed. Of course her dad deserved a life, especially after what he had gone through with her mom, but it was well past time that he picked up the slack at home.

She left her room, intending to check on Bry

“I’m taking a nibble to your sister. I brought an extra cup because I thought you’d want to join her. Mr. Blake said to make sure you eat a sandwich since you barely touched your di

Of course he was. “Thanks, Frances.”

Mags held up a champagne bottle and a glass. “I thought I’d join in too, dearest. Come along.” Holding the bottle aloft, she wiggled her ass down the hall, leaving Allie and Frances lagging behind.

Bry

Bry

“Hello, my dearest.” Mags patted Bry

Bry

“Bry

“Call me Mags, my little cherub.”

Frances poured tea and handed out sandwiches. “You poor lamb,” she said to Bry

Mags sipped from her flute. “That woman is priceless. Now, what is wrong with you, my pet?”

Bry

“Bry

Mags tsked. “Now, children, don’t try to hide the truth from me. I’ll just have to force Frances to tell me, and then she’ll feel guilty for being a tittle-tattle.”

With a sigh, Allie briefly explained her family’s situation and Monica’s recent departure with bad boy Brad.

“Allie, dearest, why didn’t you tell me all this?” Mags asked.

“I didn’t want to unload my problems onto you. Anyway, Bry

“My guidance counselor, Ms. Castor.”

Mags put her arms around the girl’s shoulders. “So many changes,” she said.

In a move that surprised Allie, Bry

Not wanting to hurt Bry

Bry

Picking up her champagne glass, Mags raised an eyebrow. “Now finish your tea, girls, and eat something.”

Bry

“Jammie Dodgers,” Allie said. “They’re Trevor’s favorite.”

***

The next morning after breakfast, Allie showed Bry

“So, what do you do for Mr. Blake?” Bry

“Oh.” Allie stalled while she buckled her seat belt. “Answer letters, bring him tea.”

“Why can’t Arnold or Frances bring him tea?”

Allie swung the car around the circular drive. “They’re busy ru

“Oh. He seems okay. I mean, it’s nice of him to let me stay and everything,” Bry

“Of course not,” Allie snapped. “What would make you say that?” She quickly sca

“I don’t know. I just thought last night, when we were talking to him in that salon place, the two of you sort of seemed like a couple.”

Allie didn’t say anything else as she drove Bry

She pulled up to the school and turned to her sister. “Good luck on your English test.”

Bry

“Right, sorry.” Allie had English on the brain.

Bry

“I might be out with Mags, so maybe Simmons will have to pick you up?”

Bry

Oh no. Bry

She pulled out of the school lot and drove home. Without bothering to knock, Allie walked into the house and found her dad whistling to himself in the kitchen. His salt-and-pepper hair had been freshly cut, and his cheeks were smooth and stubble free for a change.

“Hey,” she said, placing her keys on the counter.

He stopped pouring coffee into a travel mug and set down the pot. “How’s Bry

“Seriously? Your middle daughter drops out of high school and moves in with her boyfriend. Your youngest daughter runs away, and you’re ‘how’s Bry

The smile slid off his face. “I didn’t know she was gone because she sneaked out. And she’s going to be punished for it when she gets home.”

“Why? You never punished Monica. Besides, she doesn’t need punishment, she needs your attention.”

He picked up the carafe of coffee and continued to fill his mug. “I made mistakes with Mon, and I don’t plan to repeat them with Bry

“Karen thinks she needs boundaries? Bry

Brian moved toward her, his lips pressed into a thin line, his finger in Allie’s face. “You don’t talk to me like that. This is my house and I’m still your dad. My private life isn’t any of your business.” He dropped his hand, took a deep breath, and stepped back.

His house? It wouldn’t be his house if she hadn’t agreed to sleep with Trevor. And it wasn’t her business? Everything that happened to this family was her concern. Pain spread through her chest—but that pain quickly turned to anger. “No, Dad, it became my business when I moved back home and started taking care of Mom, the girls, the house.” She uncrossed her arms and waved them around the kitchen. “I’ve been holding this family together because you’ve been too wrecked to do it. I came over yesterday—you couldn’t even take out the goddamned trash. Suddenly, you’re talking about boundaries?” She shoved a finger into her chest. “I’ve been picking up the slack around here, not you. I’ve been making all the tough choices. So, yeah, I think I’m entitled to have an opinion. And dating Bry