Midnight Sky (Book 1/3 The Anderson Brothers Series)

Dig Deep

Lauren

Before I could reach the car door, my dad moved past me opening the passenger door. I couldn't tell if he was upset or not. I mean, should he be? I didn't do anything. I didn't get into an Uber with a stranger knowing I'm intoxicated. I called him and knew he'd pick me up. If he wasn't available, I had a laundry list of people I could call.

He slid into his seat, buckling up. We pulled onto the road and I rested my head against the window. The ride home was quiet.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked.

He glanced over before directing his attention back to the road.

"Mad about what?"

"Me leaving the house and coming to the bar."

"You are free to come and go as you please. You're 25 years old, Lauren. You've been on your own for years now. I just need you to be safe. Princess, this going out and drinking, you know that's not safe. I understand that you're going through a rough patch right now, but alcohol isn't going to solve that. As your father, I can't sit back and watch you self-destruct, so we're going to need to find an outlet for you. I'll be damned if I'm picking you up from a bar every night."

"Self destruct?"

"You're an athlete. You know what alcohol and any other substance can do to your body. Putting being an athlete aside, binge drinking can damage your kidneys. I don't want anything to happen to you. You have to take better care of yourself. Your mother and I can help you."

"You're making it seem like I'm an alcoholic."

He scoffed.

"You want to go down this road, fine. I've been trying to be gentle knowing you're going through a heartbreak, but let's go. How much did you drink tonight?

"I had a few shots and a margarita."

"A few is not a number. You either tell me or next time I see Andrew, I'll ask him myself."

"6 shots, 3 margaritas."

He sucked his teeth.

"6 shots of what?"

"Tequila," I mumbled.

"How much did you drink in Japan?"

"Dad..."

"How much did you drink at the airport?"

"I..."

"If you're going to lie to me, save it. When Uncle Zach and Uncle Ash found you, what bottles did you have in that hotel?"

"Dad, we were just hanging out."

"Just hanging out? They found you sleeping on the bathroom floor, Lauren. That's not just hanging out."

"Dad, whatever. That was months ago. I told you I'm fine."

"Fine? Your first night home and you head straight to a bar. That's fine to you?"

"You worry too much," I mumbled.

"You're my daughter! You're damn right I'm going to worry."

We pulled into the driveway all too soon. I couldn't wait to get out, but my dad's steely voice stopped me.

"Don't move."

I let out a deep breath, staying in my spot. No sense in fighting with him.

"You had enough alcohol tonight that could've ended up with you having to be carried out of that bar. Andrew is a nice guy, sure, but you won't know every bartender you come in contact with. You went out, alone and decided that 6 shots of tequila and 3 margaritas was a good idea?"