To say I wasn't handling my stress well was a fucking understatement.

Work has been a discombobulated nightmare, and it's fully my fault. I'm aware it's my fault, but I don't care.

I care enough to get my shit done for Adelaide, but I've hardly been the help I usually am.

It's not my fault she's doubled her caseload. I'm trying my best to keep up, but my family stress has left me distracted.

I was supposed to apply for an opening position in Adelaide's firm, but I've been so spaced lately that I completely forgot. I have to finish my application by the end of the week, but I'm in such a rut I don't even know if I want it anymore.

If I'm not working- I'm drinking, and if I'm not drinking, I'm finding time to spend with Scarlett.

Her boss has her running around the city all day today, but we're hopeful that we'll have time to see each other tonight.

Luckily, I've kept my growing alcohol abuse issue quiet. It's not like I'm an alcoholic; it just helps the long nights get a little shorter.

Is that alcoholism? Fuck. I don't care.

I spin myself around, facing Adelaide, who's looking at me like I shot her cat.

"What'd I do now?" I ask.

"Smartass," she huffs, rolling her eyes. "you need to get out of this slump. It's useless drinking away all your misery."

Huh? How the fuck does she know? I furrow my brows at her, acting like I have no clue what she's talking about.

"Don't play dumb. You're practically seeping alcohol from your pores, and you're hungover every day." She rants.

I clench my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "Look, Adelaide, I'm not in the mood for a lecture."

She laughs. "Good thing I'm not a professor. You need to figure your shit out, Zayn, or you're going to end up fucking up your life."

"Already fucked," I mumble under my breath.

She throws a pen at me angrily. "Are you stupid? You've got your brother and his fiancé who cherish you. Your girlfriend looks at you like you're some mesmerizing God, which I really don't understand, by the way. You've got a shitty father who gave you a lot of shitty memories and trauma that you can't change, but your entire life without him? Don't let him ruin that, too. You get to chose what path you take here. You can stop wallowing and drinking your worries away, or you can drink yourself into a stupor and end up like the one person you hate the most." She finishes.

I stare at her, eyes wide. She's right. She's always fucking right, and it pains me to admit it.

I just recline in my seat, crossing my arms defensively. "Yeah, all right." I sigh.

She smiles contently and turns back to her computer, the both of us finishing our work for the day with no other chatting.

I skip my stop to the liquor store and stop at 25 Hours instead on my way home.

I order myself a sandwich and coffee for dinner, sitting at my table. Scarlett's table.

I miss her. Fuck, I wish I was with her all the time.

Something about her calms me down. Like nothing could possibly go wrong when she's lying in my arms.

Having her petite body tucked against me just makes sense, and when I sleep without her, I'm damn restless.

It's starting to get annoying the hold this woman has over me, but hell if I'm complaining.

It's nearly nine, so I know she's out of work. I dial her number. It rings for a while, making me lose hope just before she picks up, rushing out a breathless "hello."

"Hi, baby," I say softly. God, I'm whipped.

"Hi," she responds. I can hear the smile in her voice, making me smile. "How are you? I just finished work."

"Come see me? I'm at 25 Hours," I practically beg.

She doesn't waste time with her answer. "I'm on my way, handsome." She hangs up.

Handsome, eh? I like that.

Bonnie brings me my sandwich, her eyes soft and welcoming. "I haven't seen you kids around here lately."

I nod, frowning. "Trust me, if I had it my way, I'd be here every night. Life's been busy."

"As long as you're taking time for yourself, I don't mind. Where's my girl? I miss her."

I smile at her love for Scarlett. "She's on her way, actually."

Bonnie's eyes light up, smiling happily. "I'll have to come back and bother you love birds once she gets here."

I laugh and nod. "I don't blame you."

She's about to ask me something but gets distracted by other customers and rushes to help them. I preoccupy myself with answering emails on my phone while I wait for my girl.

After about ten minutes, Scarlett walks in, her chestnut waves a mess around her head. She's wearing a white jumpsuit, making her look extremely fucking sexy.

She rushes to our table, a bright smile on her face. "Hi," she greets, dropping her purse on the floor and plopping into her seat with a huff.

"Busy day?" I ask, laughing as she uses the reflection in the napkin holder to fix her hair. I don't think it needs fixing, but whatever.

"Yes. Natalie had me running all over the city today. I am exhausted." She sighs.

"How 'bout a massage tonight?" I offer, knowing she'll accept in a second. She loves massages, and it's become pretty clear to me that her love language is touch over the past couple of weeks.

When we're together, we're always touching each other somehow. Not to mention her insatiable sex drive lately.

She grabs my hand over the table and nods enthusiastically. "How are you?" She asks, her eyes becoming serious.

I know she's been worried about me lately, and I hate that I've caused her to worry, but I can't really help it. "I'm fine, Scar."

She rolls her eyes, clutching my hand tighter. "Oh, really? Is that why you have dark circles the size of Texas?"

I sigh, removing my hand from hers and running my hands over my face. "I'm just tired, Scarlett. Everything's fine."

She stares at me with a look of annoyance. She doesn't say anything for a minute, but I can practically see her contemplating something in her head.

"Rocky called me," she blurts.

I snap my head up, looking at her as she avoids my gaze. "What? Why?"

"Because he's worried about you, Z." Her eyes are soft, not a single sign of judgment or disappointment like I'd expected.

"What the fuck is everyone worried about? I'm fine. I've had the same asshole father for twenty-six years, and I still do. Nothing's changed."

"He hasn't been in your life for years, Zayn, and now there's a chance that he'll be back. It's okay to be upset about it, mad, whatever, but pushing your feelings down isn't going to help."

"I know," I say bitterly.

I'm not trying to be an asshole, I know she's only trying to help, but I can't fucking stand thinking about him anymore. I just want to be rid of him. Is that too much to ask for?

Drinking helped with that. When I'm drunk, I don't think about him. I don't think about anything.

"Zayn," Scarlett's voice snaps me from my thoughts. "Did you hear me?"

"No."

"I said that Rocky got a call from Adelaide and that he needs you to call him." She says, fiddling with her fingers nervously.

I grab her hands and halt her anxious habits. "Huh? Adelaide called Rocky? When?"

She furrows her brows, looking up. "I don't know. Rocky called me on my way here."

I pull my phone from my pocket and sigh heavily, dialing my brother's number. Scarlett gives me some space, going to order something to drink.

He answers on the second ring. "Hey."

"Why are you calling my girlfriend and worrying her for no reason?" I accuse grumpily.

He laughs. He fucking laughs. "Sound familiar?"

I roll my eyes. I called Talia once, and it was only because Rock was MIA for practically a month. It turns out he smashed his phone and "forgot" to get a new one. As if I believe that.

"Fuck off," I mutter. "What did Adelaide say to you?"

He pauses for a moment, silence on the other line making me impatient. I'm about to ask him again before he starts spewing out information.

"When I tell you this, I need you not to panic. It's not worth panicking over, okay? She told me you've been drinking, and I need you not to drown your feelings with a bottle of whiskey tonight, okay? Promise me."

I lean back, closing my eyes and rubbing the exhaustion from them as I take in his words. He's getting released, isn't he? Fuck. I don't think I even want to hear it. "I promise. Scarlett is with me, anyway."

"Okay," he sighs before continuing. "Adelaide got word that Carlos' case is one of many being released within the next month."

My heart drops into my ass. "What? How does Adelaide know that?"

"I don't know. I guess she knows people within the system, and she's been asking around for us. He's going to be released, Z, and probably just in time for my fucking wedding." He says angrily.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"He's not stepping anywhere near your wedding, Rock. I'll make fucking sure of it. If he gets released, it doesn't mean we have to see him. It'll be fine." I hardly believe the words I'm saying, but I know Rocky needs to hear them, even if they're not true.

"Knowing our father...."

"He's going to see us." I finish for him.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I don't know what to say. Scarlett is trying not to pry, watching me inconspicuously from the counter. Bonnie is chatting her ear off, but her eyes keep finding mine, worry twinkling into those chocolate brown orbs.

"I'll call you tomorrow, okay, Rock?"

"Yeah. Yeah, talk tomorrow. Bye, bro." He hangs up, and I put my head into my hands, exhaling heavily.

I stand up and make my way to Scarlett, spinning her around and crushing her in my arms as I hug her.

Her arms wrap around my neck; her head tucked into my chest. "Everything okay?" She asks softly.

I sigh, her overwhelming scent of lavender filling my nostrils. I know she hates any PDA, but I just needed her. I can't explain it. "Better now. Wanna go?" I mumble.

She nods, pulling apart and turning to a smiling Bonnie. "Y'all are too cute."

We laugh, and Scarlett blushes, her hand finding mine. "Thank you, Bon. We're gonna head out, okay?"

"You two have a good night." She says, waving us off with bright eyes.

Scarlett practically pulls me out of the building, turning towards me once we're next to her car. "What's wrong, Z?"

My hands find her cheeks, looking into her eyes. "Everything."

She frowns, her eyes analyzing my face. "Well, let's do something to take your mind off it."

I smirk, pulling her flush to my body by her waist. "What'd you have in mind?"

She raises her brows, laughing as our lips crash together. I squeeze her waist, her shirt riding up as my tongue explores her mouth. I feel goosebumps rise on her exposed skin, her hands running through my hair wildly.

When I'm around her, everything is heightened. Her scent is overpowering, and her touch is fucking electrifying. I've never been so attracted to someone, not only sexually but romantically. I just want to make her happy. I want us to be happy.

We pull apart, looking at one another with unknown emotions. "Let's do something on the list." She says quietly.

"Whatever you want, baby." Our bodies are still touching, but I can't seem to get her close enough.

"Hmmm," she rests her head on my chest, thinking for a moment. "Star-gazing!"

I smile, nodding my head. "I know a place."

I grab her hand and take her to my car, opening her door and waiting for her to get in before shutting it and walking to my side.

The drive is short, but Scarlett's resting her head against the window, her eyes shut, and her breathing steady. Her hand is still clutching mine, making me way too fucking happy.

I used to come to this location all the time when I first found it. It's far enough from the city, allowing there to be far less light pollution. There's a pathway leading to rocks on the beach's sand, the ocean crashing loudly into them.

On a clear night, the amount of stars in the sky is magical.

Once we get there, I park and turn off the car, gently shaking Scarlett awake, careful not to scare her. "We're here."

She smiles, and we get out of the car, walking hand in hand to the hidden location. I observe her as her eyes take in the view in front of us. The moonlight gives us just enough visibility to see the pathway to the rocks, and the sound of the crashing waves is as peaceful as it gets in California.

We sit down at the edge of the rocks, the water hitting just before our feet. Scarlett looks up, her eyes widening with amazement, "Gosh, this is beautiful."

I look up with her, staring at the millions of little bright dots amongst the blackness. "It is." I agree.

We admire the sky for a few minutes, nothing but the sounds of nature surrounding us. Scarlett rests her head on my shoulder, taking a deep breath.

"Z?" She asks.

"Yes, baby?"

"Everything's gonna be okay." I frown at that, looking down and holding her a little tighter. I don't want her to worry about my shit. She's got enough to worry about.

"You think?"

"You wanna know how I know?" She asks, looking up at me.

"Why?"

She smirks. "The stars told me so."

I can't help but laugh at her matter-of-fact expression. "They did, huh?"

"Yep!" She says enthusiastically.

"Scar?" I ask.

"Yeah?"

I close my eyes again as if preparing myself for every word I say when it comes to my father. "If my father gets out, and God forbid you have to meet him, just know that he's not a good person. He's going to try to win you over. He's a manipulator. He doesn't feel the way we feel, and he'll try to pin everyone against my brother and me. No matter what."

She sits up now, looking at me with sad eyes. "Your father will never, ever, change my opinion of you. And if we do meet, you'll be right by my side, and if you want me to tell him to fuck off, I will." Her vulgarity surprises me and makes me laugh.

"Good to know." I smile, pulling her in and kissing her softly.

Every minute I spend with her feels like an alternate reality. When I'm with her, the world feels more peaceful, like happiness is easier to come by.

What does that mean? God, I feel like a teenager that can't figure out their feelings.

I don't even have time to process them because my phone rings, making Scarlett jump. I pick up the phone, not bothering to check the caller ID.

"Hello, this is a collect call from the Los Angeles County Jail from inmate Carlos Miller." I ignore the rest of the message, pulling the phone from my ear and looking at Scar. "It's my father," I say numbly.

"Are you going to answer?"

I think about it for a minute, looking from my phone to the ocean and back again. Fuck it. I press one, allowing me to connect to him and wait for his voice.

"Son?"

"Don't call me that. What do you want?" I respond bitterly.

He laughs. "Jeez. You'd think a decade and some would give you some time to get over this little grudge."

"Grudge? Are you fucking kidding me, Carlos? You're a murderer. Why are you calling me?"

"Just wanted to let you know I'll be back." With that, he hangs up the phone.

Fuck.

"What'd he say?" Scarlett's soft voice asks.

"He wanted to let me know that he'll be back," I explained.

She furrows her brows questioningly. "Like a warning?"

I sigh, running my hands through my hair.

"Exactly like a warning."