Fated Bliss (Bliss #2) (26 page)

Red film hindered my vision.

Somehow, the gall of this man was still surprising.

“Anger? You think what I feel is anger?” My laugh was cutting and full of bitterness. I continued through gritted teeth. “You have a lot of nerve, Dad. You’ve toyed with my life, hoping to hide your mistakes. No, I’m far from angry – I’m enraged.”

“I’ve done-”

“You know what? I’m not having this discussion with you…
again
,” I stated instead of yelling and pinched the bridge of my nose. “If Mom wants to come to Bliss, send her out. I’m sure Pops would love to see her. But, if you care about Linc and me at all, convince her to wait another month or so. Linc is just starting to find his footing here – let him stand on solid ground before she upsets the balance. And, for the love of God, do not step foot in this town.”

“That’s unfair to say.”

I shouldn’t have taken his call. Why I did this to myself was crazy.

“Once more, I’m not getting into that with you. I only speak to you for Linc’s sake. And Mom’s. They still love you…which boggles my mind.”

He softened his voice. “Ben… I…”

I wasn’t falling for that.

“Have Mom call me when she gets the details ironed out. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ben, I’m not done. There’s something-”

“Nice talk, Dad.”

“Ben, you can’t just keep talking over-”

“I can, and I will. Goodbye, Dad.”

I disconnected and threw my phone on the nightstand. I placed my elbows on my knees and cradled my head, trying to control the anger and resentment his voice summoned. It never failed; the sound made me want to punch something…or drive off a cliff.

Forget about him.

That was easier said than done. I felt like a stick of dynamite and with one small mishap, I’d explode. At times, like now, it was hard to control, but I set aside all thoughts of my father for later and stood, intent on playing that game of pool with my son.

As I approached the game room, I heard Lincoln say, “I’m not sure what happened, but it all changed last year. Suddenly Dad’s divorcing Mom, Mom’s losing her mind, and Dad can’t talk to Grandpa without flipping out.”

Too much info, Linc.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do first – slap myself upside the head for leaving them alone or run in there and cover Linc’s mouth.

Linc continued, “He seems better now that we’re here, not as angry as before.”

“That’s…good,” Samantha replied hesitantly.

“And he seems to like you a lot.”

Samantha cleared her voice, unable to mask her unease. “I like him, too. But, no offense, Linc, I don’t think your father would want me to discuss our relationship with you.”

I most certainly did not.

Lincoln heaved a long sigh. “Probably not. I just… Please don’t hurt him.” My stomach sank at the plea in his voice. “You made him happy tonight – I saw it. I feel like I’m getting my old Dad back; the one that used to laugh and smile all the time. I don’t want to lose that again.”

Damn.

“I can’t make promises about the future,” Samantha began, her tone softening. “When you’re in a healthy relationship, no one goes out of their way to hurt each other. But sometimes it happens. Some things can’t be controlled, Linc. With that said, I’ll never intentionally set out to hurt your father.”

“Thanks,” Lincoln whispered, relieved.

Keeping upbeat, Samantha urged, “Come on, klutz. Let’s play another game.”

“Nah, I’m good. I think I’m gonna call it a night.” He let out a loud yawn. “I’m sure you and Dad are sick of having a third wheel.”

“Uh…I don’t believe either of us thought of you that way.” She paused, then ended with, “You’re a cool kid, Linc.”

“You’re pretty cool yourself, Sam.”

That was my cue to enter.

But I had to figure out how to explain all this to Samantha without giving too much away.

Not yet.

At least I hoped she could take on my bullshit.

Only time would tell.

Chapter 22

Samantha

Instead of the
hot and heavy make-out session I’d envisioned, and was promised, when Ben drove me home, I received the cold shoulder. Whatever that phone call from his father meant, it’d changed something inside him, and Ben was the impassive, blank-faced man again.

This flip-flop routine was giving me whiplash.

Why did speaking to his father do this?

I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a strained relationship after everything with his ex, but that was years and years ago – surely time healed those wounds. However, after talking to Linc, my assumption that there was more to the story was confirmed. I had tons and tons of questions, but I received all the answers he was willing to give last night.

Be patient, Sam. This is still very new.

I wanted to be patient. Nevertheless, something inside me screamed that Ben needed someone to talk to, to help him work through whatever happened to him and his family, his ex-wife included. And I wanted to be that for him.

I want to save Ben.

That probably wasn’t the healthiest urge. You couldn’t save someone that wasn’t ready to be saved. And I wasn’t sure yet if Ben wanted that, though he said he wanted to move on and be happy. But Ben held too much promise to give up and throw in the towel. Moments like the ones we shared in London, and tonight as we laughed, were too good.

Give him time.

I resolved myself to that. I wouldn’t push unless I felt as if it was necessary.

Still…

“Are you okay?” I whispered.

Ben jolted. He gave me a quick glance and then studied the road again. “I’m fine.”

Well, that wasn’t the warmest response.

“You’re quiet,” I stated.

“Sorry.” He flashed me a forced smile. “Just tired. I think the day has caught up with me.”

“Right,” I muttered, knowing a lie when I heard one. Before I could stop myself, my mouth got the better of me. “So it has nothing to do with that phone call from your father?”

Loaded silence filled the Bronco.

Good job on not prying, Sam.

“You know what? Don’t answer that,” I rushed, feeling stupid. “It’s not my place.”

“You’re right – it’s not your place,” Ben muttered under his breath.

My throat ached as hurt bubbled up inside me.

I deserve that.

Wait.

No, I don’t.

I wasn’t going to be the punching bag for his turbulent emotions.

Hot and prickly, my anger flared. “Whatever happened to turn you into Mr. Crabby-Pants isn’t my fault. If you don’t want to talk to me about it, that’s your prerogative – I won’t push.” I folded my arms over my chest and stared out the window, not able to look at him. “But do not act like I’m the bad guy here.”

“Listen, sweetheart,” he began, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a condescending note in his tone. “If we’re going to start this, you have to understand that there are things about my life that are off limits, my parents being one of them. Accept it or move on.”

What in the everloving
fuck
?!

I turned my head and leveled him with a glare that could blister. “If we’re gonna start this,” I repeated softly, with fury coursing through my veins. “I hate to inform you,
honey
, but this has already begun. You sought me out, remember? You’re the one that picked me up last night, divulged all that stuff about your life, and said you wanted to see where this took us.”

“So you don’t want this?” he questioned, his jaw ticking.

“Don’t turn my words around on me,” I cautioned dangerously. “I’m statin’ facts. You went from happy to barely talkin’ within minutes. I’m sorry I was worried about the man I’m fal…I care about.”

Too close, Sam.

I almost said falling in love.

Exhaling harshly, Ben pulled into my parents’ driveway and parked. “Look, Samantha. I’m so-”

I threw the door open before he could finish. “No. Don’t.” I slid out and eyed him over my shoulder. “When whatever has crawled up your ass and died decides to disappear, give me a call. I won’t allow you to take this out on me. If you can’t handle that, then
you
move on.”

I slammed the door and ran to the door, my eyes burning. I refused to cry, though I felt like I was going to burst at any second.

“Samantha,” Ben yelled, trying to stop me, his rapid footsteps thundering behind me.

I didn’t give him the chance to catch up and continued into the house.

Once the door closed, I allowed myself a moment to put a lid on my emotions. If my parents saw me this upset, they’d try to drag the reason out of me.

Ben’s voice rumbled sweetly from the other side of the door, startling me. “Samantha, open the door, sweetheart.”

My resolve trembled, but I called back, “Goodnight, Ben.” I needed to calm down before I could talk to him.

I heard a long exhale, then, “Fuck!” His boots clunked on the wood porch as he retreated.

Peeved, I wished he'd tried harder to fix things.

God, I’m a head case.

I wanted to push him away only to bring him close again.

Let it go until tomorrow, Sam.

That would be near impossible. How he’d reacted to my question was so far from the fun-loving and doting man from last night and earlier this evening, a real Jekyll and Hyde.

Can I continue to see a man like that?

When I felt like I could face my parents – the television was on in the living room, so they were up – and not burst into tears, I walked into the living room. I shouldn’t have been worried about Dad. He was asleep in his recliner. Not finding Mom, I ambled into the kitchen. Sure enough, she was at the table, reading a book, a romance novel by the look of the cover.

“Hey,” I sang, acting the part of just getting home from a wonderful date.

Mom placed her book on the table and frowned, scrutinizing me. “What’s wrong?”

I sighed in defeat and slumped. It was tough hiding anything from her these days. “Nothin’. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Being Mom, she pushed. “Your date didn’t end well?”

“No, Mom, it didn’t. Like I said, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Sit down,” she demanded, straightening in her seat.

That meant she was in it for the long haul.

Wonderful.

“What happened with Ben?” she questioned, concerned.

“Wish I knew,” I muttered, falling into the chair next to her. “We were havin’ fun, and then he got a call from his dad. It went downhill from there.”

Mom sat back and stared at me, her mind working. “What else?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Then I remembered Linc and told her what he’d said about Ben’s relationship with his father.

Mom pursed her lips. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. Joel’s an ass.”

“Tell me how you really feel, Mom,” I said dryly.

“No, you don’t understand, Sam. That man is controllin’ and manipulative. Why Victoria stayed with him is beyond me.”

Curious, I wondered aloud, “Is that why you don’t talk anymore?”

“Absolutely. He didn’t like her country bumpkin upbringin’.” Mom held her hands up and made quotation signs, implying that those were Ben’s father’s words. “He’s the CEO of a major conglomerate in Portland. You know the fancy, hoity-toity type. Joel made a huge deal out of her visitin’ Bliss, tellin’ her she needed to forget about her upringin’, that by bein’ with him she’d moved past it.” Mom sniffed, enraged by the idea.

“She finally gave up to bring the peace. Once that happened, I only heard from her sporadically, until her calls dwindled away.” Mom paused as pain flashed in her eyes. “She wasn’t always like that. The Victoria I grew up with was far too brilliant and spirited to be crushed by a man – she was a life force. After hearin’ Ben’s description of her, though, I believe he finally succeeded in breakin’ her and reshapin’ her into what he wanted.”

“That’s…depressin’.”

“It is,” Mom agreed, nodding.

“Glad I know that now. Seems Ben is a lot like his father.” I grimaced, the words bitter on my tongue.

“I don’t think so,” Mom murmured, observing me thoroughly again.

“Mom, he acted as if I was garbage for askin’ if he was okay. I won’t allow anyone to treat me like that.”

Mom leaned in and clasped my hand. “Oh, Sam, you and I both know that isn’t entirely true. I see that look in your eyes.”

I screwed up my face at her, not understanding – I wasn’t a pushover, ever.

“Let me tell you a little story,” she stated.

“Mom…I’m tired,” I whined, not wanting to get into this with her. My arm was starting to ache, and all I wanted was a pain pill and a bed.

“You need to listen, baby,” she insisted, her voice gentling.

Wow…Mom used
baby
. I haven’t heard that endearment in a long time.

“All right,” I caved. It would be now or later.

“My father was a mean man,” she began, shocking me. I wasn’t expecting a story about her. “He was horrible to my mother and me. He never raised a hand to either of us, but it was just the same – his tongue lashin’s could cut you in two.”

“I’ve never heard this before,” I commented.

I didn’t remember her father. He died when I was young. Now that I thought about it, she rarely spoke of him.

“There wasn’t ever a need to tell you – I was beyond it.” She waved me off. “But that’s beside the point. You see, your dad and I were already dating’ when he happened to hear some particularly nasty remarks my father said to me.” Mom grimaced at the memory. “After that day, your dad had that same look you do. He wanted to protect me, and he did. The day I turned eighteen, we went straight to the Justice of the Peace and got married. He couldn’t stand me bein’ in the house another day.”

I eyed her skeptically. “You’re tellin’ me that you and Dad only got married because he wanted to save you from an abusive home?”

“No…not at all. That was part of it,” she corrected me, her eyes dancing with mirth. Her expression cleared, and she became serious again. “Anyway, after that day, your dad became my shield. He was fierce, standin’ between my father and me at every opportunity. He barely left my side. Heck, he didn’t take me home at night ’til we knew for sure my dad was asleep.”

“Mom,” I began, having a niggling feeling where this was leading.

“When you talk about or look at Ben, you have that same look as your dad did back then. I saw it in Grey’s eyes the day he met Clara.” She reached forward and cupped my jaw. “My babies are just like their father, and you’re just as fierce. When you decide to love, you do it with all your heart and might, ready to take on the world. You, Samantha, want to do everythin’ in your power to make it better for Ben.”

“Mom-”

“And it’s not a bad thing, Sam.” She became troubled. “But I’ve seen the look in Ben’s eyes. He has demons, dark and deep ones. It will take a lot of time and patience to get passed them.” Mom paused, her eyes softening. “With that said, I see a lot of light in him waitin’ to be released. For havin’ a father like Joel, I doubt he knows how.

“Don’t let him railroad you. Don’t let him get away with his anger. Show him how to live blissfully, Sam. Give him somethin’ he wants to change for, even if it’s tough. You have to fight for the best things in life, but it’s up to you to decide if Ben’s worth it.”

Aggravated that people kept saying this, I remarked, “I’m not in love with him.”

“You’re close.” I couldn’t say she was wrong. “Sometimes love happens in an instant and sometimes it’s a slow climb. Neither way is wrong or right – it just
is
.”

“When did you become such a sage?” I questioned humorously, but inside I was squirming. This was too intense and way too close to the truth.

She shot me a wink. “You should take the time to listen to me more often.”

“Wouldn’t you love that?”

She laughed. “I would, actually.”

“Ben’s told me some of what happened to him,” I revealed nervously, hoping I wasn’t betraying his confidence. I might be mad, but I wasn’t a gossiper. Thankfully, neither was Mom. “He’s had it really rough, Mom. Like…I-don’t-know-how-he’s-coped-for-so-long type of tough. He was totally conned by his ex-wife, and after that, even knowin’ this, his parents made him marry her. He never loved her and only stayed for Linc.”

“What?” Mom asked, confused. “That’s no way to base a healthy relationship. Surely his parents knew that.”

“Right.” I bulged my eyes, still flabbergasted. “I don’t know how he did it all these years.”

Mom pursed her lips, thinking on that, and then squeezed my hand. “You know what? That’s a good sign, Sam. It means he’s a fighter, too. He won’t give up easily, even if it’s for the wrong reasons.”

I didn’t look at it that way.

“Maybe,” I allowed, fiddling with my hair.