Chapter Sixty-Six:

After some back and forth with the judge that granted me my protective order, he okayed a meeting with Adam, as long as Doug and our lawyers were present. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’m on edge and I really don’t want to face my father. He always has a hidden agenda – always.

Everything is a game to him. You go in thinking one thing and it turns out to be something else entirely. As soon as I think that I have him figure him out, he changes everything up on me. He’s always three steps ahead.

Doug and I both know that he’s up to something. At least this way, we’ll get something out it… I hope.

---

I sat in the passenger’s seat in Doug’s vehicle and clutched my bag with white knuckles. I’m shaking and it won’t stop. I didn’t eat this morning, but I did take my meds. The thought of food just made me nauseous.

We arrived a lot sooner than I was ready for. But, honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be ready. Doug got out of the car first and came around to my side and opened my door for me. He helped me out of the car and I smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles on my clothing.

I dressed conservatively. I guess it’s just second nature to, when I know that I’ll be facing my tormentors. I have on dark jeans that aren’t skin-tight, a white button-down shirt that can’t be buttoned anymore, a navy blazer and converse. The more layers I have on, the more protected I feel. I know that if I say it out loud, I’ll sound like an idiot.

“You ready, Sweetheart?” Doug asked me. I tried to swallow the impossibly large lump in my throat with zero luck. I shook my head. “Let’s get this over with. It’ll be alright. I’m right here with you, Sweetheart. I will kill him before I let him put a finger on you.” Doug assured me. I nodded and looked up at him, fighting the burning pool of tears threatening to cascade down my pale face.

He held out his hand. I placed mine gingerly in his and he interlocked our fingers. He gave me a quick squeeze, before leading the way inside the restaurant. It helps – knowing that he’s here and he has my back, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m scared shitless. Adam just has that affect on me. He always has.

“Deep breath, Sweetheart. Don’t give him the satisfaction of rattling you. Don’t show him any weaknesses. Stand up straight, with your head held high. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Lydia.” Doug promised me as we stepped inside of the eatery. The fact that he called me by my name just made everything that he has done for me – is doing for me – just resonate that much more.

“Thank you.” I told him, quietly.

“For what, Sweetheart?”

“Everything,” I answered, overcome with emotion.

“Save your gratitude, Sweetheart. You’re family.”

“Okay… Dad.”

“‘Dad,’” he echoed. “I’ll never tire of hearing the sound of that.” I could see his joy through his eyes. His face was otherwise calm. It’s probably to make him seem tougher – his poker face.

I saw Adam sitting at a table, chatting with what looks like an attorney and some other men. I guess we aren’t the only ones who came prepared. Adam noticed us mere seconds after I spotted him. He smirked and held eye contact with me the entire walk to his table.

Doug pulled a chair out for me and sat down beside me. He was sitting directly in front of Adam and I was in the corner. Doug’s attorney took a seat beside him and Doug’s men took a seat at the table behind us. It’s comforting that there are so many of us – strength in numbers and all that.

“You’re looking well, Lydia.” Adam complimented me. I looked him in his eyes and stayed quiet. The corners of his mouth quivered before curving into a smirk. “Did you forget your manners, little Dove?” He asked. Doug shifted in his seat and my attention immediately went to him. His eyes flashed. He’s pissed.

“Are you going to sign the papers, Adam?” I asked him instead, ignoring his question.

“So formal – not much for small talk are you, little Dove?” Adam jibed.

“I was under the impression that you were here to sign away your parental rights.” Doug spoke up. Adam’s smirk deepened. I forced myself to look at the wall behind him and focus on anything else. I tried to send my mind somewhere far, far away. The easiest way I know to do that is to focus on a song. It doesn’t really matter which song, just one that I know well enough – like well enough – to play on repeat through my thoughts.

‘We live in a cold, dark world with venom in its veins.
You can spit it in my face, but I know I’ll be okay.
It’s on the attack – it’s a war – it’s a game, a ball and chain – chew my arm off to get away.’

Doug gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I squeezed back, but kept distancing my thoughts away from everyone else. If I hear what they’re saying, it’ll just make things worse. I can’t afford to lose my shit right now, especially not here.

‘Don’t fight it or deny it; invite it!
‘Cause when it feels like a kick in the teeth, I can take it!
Throw your stones and you won’t see me break it!
Say what you want; take your shots!
You’re setting me free with one more kick in the teeth!’

Doug pulled his hand from mine and set an arm around my shoulders. I leaned into him and inhaled. The smell of his cologne is helping calm me down. My nerves are like little firecrackers on steroids, on overdrive.

‘I gotta say, ‘Thanks,’ ‘cause you kick me when I’m down.
I’m bleeding out the mouth; I hope you know I’m stronger now.
I’m taking the hate; I’m turning it all around.
I won’t go down, ‘til I’m six feet underground.’

I could still hear them talking, I just wasn’t paying them enough attention to listen to what they were saying. I could feel my father’s eyes on me. I tried not to dwell on it. If everything goes well, we’ll be finished here, soon enough.

‘What doesn’t kill me… will only make me stronger… in my head.
‘Cause when it feels like a kick in the teeth, I can take it!
Throw your stones and you won’t see me break it!
Say what you want; take your shots!
You’re setting me free with one more kick in the teeth!’

I jumped when someone thrust papers into my hands. I looked up, startled. Adam was giving me a look that can only be described as sinister.

I looked down at the papers and spotted his signature. He did it. He actually signed the papers. He no longer has any right to me. It’s such a good feeling.

I glanced up at him and his lips curved into a cold smile. I didn’t smile back, just kept my face as blank as possible. I don’t to do anything that would provoke him, especially since he just signed away his rights as my father.

They started talking again and I looked back at my spot on the wall. The longer I looked, the
easier it was to ignore everyone else.

‘Say what you want; take your shots!
You’re setting me free with one kick in the teeth!’

What felt like just minutes later, Doug rubbed my shoulder. I looked up at him. He smiled at me, softly. “Sweetheart, it’s time to go.” He told me. I nodded.

“Alright,” I replied. He got up and helped me to my feet. I followed him out of the restaurant without another word. When we were in the car, I finally felt like I could breathe normally, again. I didn’t realize just how suffocating being in the same room with my father is. “We got it?” I asked him. He nodded, clearly overjoyed.

“We have it. Now, we just have to talk to your mother.” He sighed. I made a face. “I’m not looking forward to speaking with her, either, Sweetheart.” He assured me. I laughed.

“You’re the one that dated her.” I teased.

“Well, at least something good came out of it – yeah? I have you.” He reminded me. I smiled.

“And I have a dad.” I added. He grinned and started the car. All in all, I feel accomplished. We came. We saw. We conquered.

Yeah, it’s never this easy. Something is bound to happen. Until then, we wait. We enjoy our victory today and we wait for the rest. And I’m okay with that.

Notes

Music Credit:
"Kick in the Teeth" -- Papa Roach

Alright lovelies, enjoy the fluff while you can! There are a lot of things that are about to start happening. With that being said, new chapter will be tomorrow night!

Feedback would be lovely.

Love,
Katie