My One Night: An On My Own Novel by Carrie Ryan (life books to read .txt) 📕

“That’s us,” one of the guys said. “Your bartender there? Cameron? He already got us some extra plates. You can just toss it all in the middle, and we’ll fight over what we want.”

“That sounds like the easiest plan ever for me.” I did as they asked, nodded, made sure they had everything they needed, then headed over to Cameron.

“I heard Aiden say you were on your way out the door,” Cameron said.

“Yeah, I have homework and stuff.”

“And Elise?” Cameron asked, and then Brendon was there, as well, standing behind the bar.

“Were you all listening to that conversation?” I asked, a little unnerved.

“No, Aiden just mentioned that we were supposed to make sure you went home and checked on your girlfriend. We don’t know what it’s all about, but we’re sure he’ll fill us in.”

“Y’all are worse than the girls.”

“Don’t let Harmony hear you say that,” Brendon said, then paused. “Or any of them. Including your girl.”

“You’re right,” I said, cringing.

“Anyway...” Cameron didn’t get a chance to finish what he was saying because his eyes narrowed, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

“There you are, boy. Kind of annoyed I had to find you here.”

I felt the blood drain from my face, and Aiden came out from the back. All three of my brothers glared over my shoulder. I swallowed hard and turned to see Dave. My father. The man I never wanted to see again.

“Jesus, you work in a bar? Well, I guess it’s a good thing for me. Yo, barkeep, could use a beer. Whatever you got on tap here but not any of that pussy shit.” He slurred his words, then started to rub his arm as if in pain…or needing another fix.

“I do believe you walked into the wrong place, sir,” Cameron said, and I knew he recognized the man.

After all, he had my eyes.

And I had a feeling that all three brothers knew what Dave looked like. They had hired a private investigator to find him at one point, and I had wanted nothing to do with it. I had been trying to find my way, learn who I was as a Connolly, and they had been gracious enough not to tell me what they’d found. But they knew that this was my dad.

Hell.

“You should go,” I said.

Dear old Dave’s eyes narrowed. “You should stop talking back to me.” His breathing quickened, and he rubbed his arm again, fisting his hand as if waiting for something.

The two tables with customers all turned to us, a total of five guys with narrowed eyes who didn’t look as if they were interested in joining in on the fray or watching the party while eating popcorn. Instead, they looked ready to push the guy out of the bar and help us.

It was an odd sense to have, but one you figured out after working at a place like this for a while. These guys would help with Dave, but I didn’t want anything to do with that. I wanted them to enjoy their evening without drama. I didn’t want the embarrassment of my sperm donor standing in front of me, acting like an asshole.

“I’ve already told you once…” I began and heard Cameron curse under his breath. I hadn’t mentioned that Dave had stopped by the house. “I told you already that I don’t want you here or in my life. You need to go.”

“You owe me. It’s best we get it done now so I don’t have to make a scene.” He looked around the place and held out his arms. “And, you know, it’d be nice to make a scene in this pretty place.”

“You guys keep eating,” Brendon said casually from behind the bar. “Bill’s on us. We’re going to go take care of this. You need anything, Aiden here will be able to help you.”

“You’re making me stay here?” Aiden mumbled.

“You’re closest to them. It’s the first name that popped into my mind.”

I shook my head, putting up my hands so my brothers would stop speaking. “I’ve got this,” I said and then moved forward. “You should go. I’m done with this.”

“You owe me.”

“Like I said before, I will call the cops if I have to.” I pulled my phone out of my apron. The guy who I hadn’t known for my entire life spat on the floor before leaving.

I put my shaking hands down and slid my phone back into my apron pocket. “If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to head home.”

Cameron put his hand on my shoulder, and I flinched.

He cursed under his breath, and I didn’t bother looking up at his face. I was afraid of what I might see there.

“He came to the house, then?” he asked.

“Yes,” I whispered. “But it’s fine. He just wants money or something.”

“And you didn’t tell us?”

“No. I didn’t.”

“Because you think you can handle it,” Brendon whispered.

“I did, didn’t I? He’s just blowing off steam. He’ll get bored, and then he’ll leave for good.” Even I didn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.

“And what if he comes to the house again? Or one of our homes. What if he figures out where we live and comes when the girls are there alone? What then?”

Ice filled my veins, and my mouth went dry. “Shit. I didn’t think.” I hadn’t wanted to. I’d wanted to push away the problem so no one would have to deal with Dave. But Dave wasn’t going away. Not easily. Damn it.

“No, you didn’t. Because you’re a Connolly, and you have your head up your ass trying to protect your family by ignoring the situation and thinking you can handle everything yourself. Well, now that we know, we’ll handle it. With you. But don’t think you have to do it all on your own.”

“It’s fine. He’s not your dad. You don’t have to deal with him.”

“I had to deal with a dad who wasn’t the greatest either,”