Lover's Road by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online

dad away. I know I’d see him more often if my mom weren’t such a bitch.
    I left the couch then opened the door. When I saw my dad on the other side, bags at his feet and over his shoulders, I knew something wasn’t right—at all. “Dad?”
    “Hey, kid.” His voice indicated everything was normal, but his face didn’t. I saw the sagged lines of despair and the depression in his eyes.
    I stared at his bags. “What’s going on…?”
    He shrugged. “Can I stay with you for a while?”
    My blood was pounding in my ears. My heart thud so harshly, I felt it against my ribs. I was speechless, panicked. “You’re always welcome here, Dad.”
    “I thought so. If not, I knew Scarlet wouldn’t mind.” He grabbed his bags and carried them inside. I hauled the remaining ones into the entryway. When Scarlet realized my dad was here, she approached the entryway, the same look of alarm on her face.
    “What’s going on?” she asked.
    My dad stood tall, like he always did, but his hands were in his pockets. “Your mother and I have decided to get a divorce.”
    That knocked the wind out of me. During my youth, my friends from school went through their parents’ divorce but I never understood what the big deal was. But now it hit me. I didn’t even like my mom, but the idea of my parents not being together was something I couldn’t process.
    “Oh.” Scarlet tucked a st rand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry.”
    He nodded. “It’s been difficult. But I didn’t see any other way.”
    My head was still spinning. “What happened?”
    He sighed then rubbed his chin. “Your mother’s behavior has gone on long enough. While I love her very much, she isn’t the woman I married. When I tried to talk some sense into her, it backfired. While I would prefer to work out our relationship, sadly, your mother can’t be reasoned with.”
    “Wow.” I couldn’t think of anything better to say.
    He clapped my shoulder. “It’ll be alright, kid. Your mother and I both love you just as much. That will never change.”
    That wasn’t what bothered me. “It’s just…weird.”
    My dad gave me a soft look. “I know. But we’ll get through this.”
    Mike came down the stairs. “Did I hear you right? You’re divorcing Mom?”
    My dad nodded.
    Mike breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. You can do way better than her Dad. That bitch is a terror.”
    My dad’s eyes widened. “Shut your mouth or I’ll rip it off.”
    Mike backed off. “Sorry. I just think this is a good decision. I love you, Dad. And I can’t imagine how you could possibly be happy with that bit—woman.”
    He returned his hands to his pockets then looked at the house, not paying any attention to us. “The papers will be signed soon. I hope you don’t mind letting me stay for a short while.”
    Scarlet hugged him. “You can stay here as long as you want, Dad. This place is too big for the two of us.”
    “Three of us,” I added, glaring at my brother.
    Mike glared back.
    “Everything alright?” my dad asked.
    Mike shrugged. “Cassandra and I got into a fight.”
    “It must be pretty bad if you’re staying with your brother.” The disappointment was evident in his eyes.
    “I slept with her friend. She’s having a hard time handling it…”
    My dad gave him a look of hat red. “How could you do that to the poor girl? I thought you loved her? That’s no way to treat someone.”
    “No,” Mike said quickly. “It happened before I even knew Cassandra. But the shit hit the fan a few days ago.”
    “Oh.” Andrew calmed down slightly. “I see.”
    “And I don’t know how to make it better…”
    My dad rubbed his shoulder. “From the moment I saw you two together, I knew she loved you, son. She’ll get passed it. Just give her time.”
    “I hope so.” Mike put his hands in his pockets and sighed.
    “I’ll get your room ready,” I said.
    Mike and I carried everything to the spare bedroom. Scarlet made sure the sheets and towels were