Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 60~Will We Turn This Around, Or Fall Apart?

Elise's POV

Jimmy was still sleeping when the girls went to get their shoes on the next morning, I guess he's sleeping in today. He slept in the bedroom this time, but it was still like sleeping alone last night. He stayed one side, and I stayed on the other with a great big space between the two of us. I woke up this morning and saw that nothing had changed throughout the night. 

I was standing in the entryway with Abbie and Kaylee when I noticed the sullen look on Abbie's face. She seemed as though she was upset by something, and I wanted to know what it was. I told Kaylee to go ahead and start down the driveway, but I held Abbie back to talk to her. 

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing." She faked a smile. 

I gave her a look to let her know I didn't believe that. "Abbie."

Abbie was quiet, dropping her gaze to the floor. "Why didn't Dad tuck me in last night?"

"...I thought he did?" I know Jimmy went upstairs last night to get them both into bed, so I thought that he had tucked Abbie in too.

She shook her head. "No, he didn't. He just came into the door and told me it was time for bed, and then he turned off the lights and left. That's it. I didn't even get an 'I love you' or anything, but Kaylee did." Abbie started to cry, and I quickly pulled her into a hug.

"Don't cry." I said softly, rubbing her back and wiping her tears with one hand. "I'll talk to him about it, ok?"  Abbie nodded against my shoulder and sniffled, trying to stop her tears. I kissed the side of her head and then she let go of me. "You better go if you're going to get on the bus in time. I'll see you later." 

I watched her go to the end of the driveway, coming up beside Kaylee. I couldn't understand how Jimmy could so carelessly hurt her that way. He had to of known she would've expected him to actually go into her room and say goodnight like he always used to. It's like he's trying to make it harder for her to let go of the pain she already has. 

Once they were both on the bus, I turned and headed upstairs. I don't care if Jimmy's still asleep or not, I'm waking him the fuck up and we're going to have a discussion as to why he's being such a big jerk to Abbie. 

I made no intention of being quiet as I went up the stairs and down the hall to our bedroom, where I found him sprawled out in the bed, snoring lightly. I walked over to the bed and give his shoulder a good, hard shove.

"Jimmy." I said his name to get his attention as he started to wake up.

"What?" He mumbled. 

"Get up." 

"What for?"

"We need to talk." 

"Now?" 

"Yes, now." 

"Jesus, what's a man got to do to get some sleep around here?" He said, obviously irritated but I didn't care. 

"You can sleep later. Right now, you get your ass out of bed or I will chop off your balls and you won't be a man anymore." I snapped.

Jimmy opened his eyes all the way, just looking at me for a moment before he slowly sat up in the bed. "What are you pissed off about now? If this is about Abbie being depressed again, you can leave." He started rubbing his eyes.

"Well it isn't, so I'm staying. This is about you being mean to Abbie." 

"What the hell are you talking about? I have not been mean to Abbie." 

"She came to me this morning and told me about what happened last night! About how you didn't say goodnight to her, but you did for Kaylee." 

"I did too say goodnight! I told her that it was time for lights out, that's the same thing!" He snapped back at me. "What was I supposed to do!? Bring the whole goddamn circus with me!?"