Ride Or Die | Book #1 ✓

Chapter 56

"What the hell am I supposed to do now?!" I paced back and forth in the kitchen, worrying over Pierce. Apparently innocent until proven guilty didn't matter anymore, I knew that Pierce's past record was going to get him in trouble-I just hadn't known when. He wasn't exactly a sweet talker or knew when to stop pushing people past their limits.

"Well Aspen, after watching him beat the shit out of some kid and get arrested, maybe you should rethink who you are with." My dad spoke up, his tone was snarky. I couldn't believe my dad was opening his mouth right now, especially when he had been the whole reason the police came. In Crestmont, you learn very fast that there is no time for police and to handle everything yourself. 

"Are you serious?" I asked dumbfounded "Pierce was defending me! Finn has been humiliating me every chance he has, he trespassed on our property! And you're mad because Pierce beat the shit out of him? I'd expect as a father you would too, but apparently not." 

I was in shock, I couldn't believe what my dad was saying. He watched Finn hang up my posted nudes as well as news articles all about me, not to mention burning the words 'Rape me please' into the yard. I expected my dad to be livid, not criticizing my relationship which consisted of my boyfriend who had taken care of it.

"Aspen, that's not what I meant. Finn deserves to be arrested, worse. But Pierce pulled a gun for Christ's sake, I don't even know who you are anymore." My dad's eyes had fallen along with his expression "What happened to my sweet daughter who was so innocent?"

"Innocent!?" I yelled in frustration, his words set off a fire in me "I was raped at 16 over and over again! I was forced to get drunk before being tied down so my ex-boyfriend and all his friends could take their turns with me! What part about that seems innocent to you? Sure I may be different now than I was, but Pierce is not what made me the person I was today."

I looked over to my mom who was leaning up against the countertop, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. I sent her a look, waiting for her to say something-say anything to defend me. My dad and I had always been super close, especially after my mom "died." He was always my best friend but now it felt like we were strangers. The once understanding and supportive father I had was now questioning my every single move. 

"Ashton, there is a lot more to it than you think." My mom sighed, taking my look and speaking up "She's growing up, she's going to change. I know you think this is all because of her being in Crestmont but it's not. Aspen found her confidence, she found how to defend and stick up for herself. She's not that shy little fragile girl anymore, but you need to be proud of her for how far she has come."

I looked over to Aster who put his head down, listening to everything that had been going on. Evangeline had gone home to go check on Noah who still refused to leave the house. June and Triston insisted they'd say because they were worried how'd I react but I sent them home and told them I'd meet them later. 

My dad rubbed his face in his hands before dropping them to his sides and looking directly at me. He said nothing. Nothing at all but his face said a million different things. He tore his eyes away from mine before walking away and into the back bedroom as he slammed the door behind him. I understood what he was going through, he felt useless.

First, he finds out his wife isn't dead and then finds out most of their marriage was filled with lies from her flying back and forth between us and Crestmont. He was also dealing with being kidnapped and tortured, only to watch people continue to harass me. My dad was holding onto my old self still because it was a simpler time, a time he didn't want to let go of because the reality of now was too much to take in.

My mom let out a sigh, walking up to me and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "He's going through a lot right now Aspen, he'll understand soon we just can't push him." I knew she was right I just couldn't sit around and hope he'd understand soon, I didn't know if he would ever understand. We were all going through a lot right now but we need to cope with each other, not go against one another.