Chapter Six

Teagan

I DRAGGED MYSELF home and into the shower, falling into bed before dinner and bursting into tears. I was angry at myself for crying but I was just so damned sad. And exhausted.

I was also pissed at Cash. Mostly because he was the reason I was crying. My heart was breaking, and I didn't know what to do about it. The bummer of it was I had no one I could talk to about it. Normally, I'd talk to Daisy, but if she found out her brother hurt me she might do something stupid like put laxative in his cereal or something which then might make our parentals start asking questions.

The same went for my sisters.

And I couldn't talk to Cash because he was the current problem.

Dick.

I let out a frustrated groan and punched my pillow, imagining it was Cash's face.

"Teagan?" Mom called through the door before knocking. "Baby, can I come in?"

"Whatever."

"What's this now?" She pushed open the door and sat on the edge of my bed. "Why are you crying?"

"Because everything sucks."

She stroked my hair. "Daddy said you did a great job today."

"That was actually really fun."

"Yeah?"

"I want to quit law school," I blurted out, then gasped. "Shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"Wow, that's a lot, sweetheart."

I let out a frustrated groan. "Daddy's going to kill me."

"Baby, why would you think Daddy would kill you?"

"Because he wants me to be a lawyer more than anything else in the world."

Mom frowned. "Why would you think that?"

"Why wouldn't you think that?"

"Because he wants you to be happy. He wants you to be employed, yes, but he also wants you to be happy. If the law doesn't make you happy, then do something else."

"What if it's underwater basket weaving?"

"If you can make a living doing underwater basket weaving, then he won't care."

I bit my lip. "What if I want to be a mechanic?"

"Really?"

"Maybe," I said. "Today was amazing. I loved every second. Flea was the best teacher, and learning all the parts of a carburetor was fascinating. I can legit change my own oil now, and the guys all said they trusted me with their bikes, Mama. They trusted me."

"Well, that's pretty fucking huge."

"Right?"

"Then, why are you crying?"

"Because I don't want to disappoint Dad," I lied. "You've both spent all this money on my education—"

"Let us worry about the money, baby. If you want to change to a trade school and become a mechanic, do it."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously." She grinned. "Now, are you hungry?"

"Starved."

"Come down and eat." She squeezed my arm. "I saved you a plate."

"Will you tell Daddy about my change of plans?"

She laughed. "Oh hell no. You're on your own there. But I will back you up."

"Why did you raise us to be all independent and shit?" I admonished.

"I ask myself that every day, my love. Every fucking day. But we still have Grayson, and I might ease up on him a little."

She grinned and walked out my door.

I followed a few minutes later and found my parents making out in front of the kitchen sink. They did this a lot. So much so, it no longer fazed me.

"Should I come back?" I sassed.

Dad grabbed Mom's ass with a raised eyebrow as she sighed and tried to pull away. Dad held her tight. "Your dinner's in the oven, baby. I'll get it."

"It's okay, Mama, I can get it." I grabbed some oven mitts and pulled out my plate, letting out a quiet moan. "You made fried chicken, Daddy?"

"Sure did," he said.

"I love your fried chicken. It's my favorite."

"I'm aware."

I looked at him. "You made fried chicken because you knew today was going to be rough, huh?"

He smiled gently. "Yeah, baby."

I blinked back tears and then rushed him. He chuckled, wrapping me in his beefy arms and hugging me close. "I love you, Daddy."

"Love you more, baby girl."

"I don't want to be a lawyer." I let out a frustrated groan. "Goddammit, why do I keep blurting that out?"

Dad's body locked. "What do you mean you don't want to be a lawyer, Teagan?"

I bit my lip as I pulled away from him and met his eyes. "I hate it. I know you really wanted this for me, but I… I don't know, I hate it. I want something where I can get my hands dirty."

"Like?"

"Well, like what I did today. I think. I'm not sure. I loved working on the bikes and figuring out how the engines worked. It was so much fun."

"You want to be a mechanic?" he asked in surprise.

"Maybe?" I shrugged. "I think so. I'm not sure. I just know I do not want to practice law. I'm sorry. Do you hate me?"

He sighed. "Baby girl, what the fuck ever gave you the impression I could hate you?"

"Okay, maybe hate's too strong of a word, but you do pound your chest and grunt a lot."

Mom let out a quiet snort and turned toward the kitchen sink as her shoulders shook from laughing.

He raised an eyebrow and stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a grunt, then pounding his chest.

I laughed, before asking, "Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad," he said.

"Are you disappointed?"

"Maybe a little, but that's for me to get over," he said. "You are never a disappointment. I just love having something in common with my baby girl, but if you like crankin' a wrench, we can do that together as well. Whatever makes you happy."

"Can I quit law school?"

"You can quit law school." He raised a hand before I could jump with glee. "But you need to figure out what you want to do before fall semester. You're also going to either work in the shop at the club or for me if you're not in school. Fair?"

"More than fair." I rushed him again, squeezing him hard. "Thanks, Daddy."

"You're welcome."

My heart was at least halfway light as I sat up at the kitchen island and dug into my dinner.