Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
I thought of Kage’s comment about him being the one with something to lose. I don’t want you to feel like I hired you for sex, he’d said. He had seen this coming even then, had known he would be the one who was vilified, but he’d taken the chance anyway.
“It’s not like that,” I said. “Kage made it very clear that our relationship had nothing to do with the job. He wanted me to be sure. And I was, Dad. I was sure.”
Dad was shaking his head. “He manipulated you. He’s crafty, and he’s used to getting his way by throwing his money around.”
“That’s not fair, and you know it. If some rich guy showed up and started buying Jennifer cars and taking care of her, you’d call him Prince Charming. You’d be shoving her at him.”
“That’s not necessarily true.” He turned thoughtful for a moment, no doubt trying to work up a logical reason why my situation was different. “It depends on the guy. Kage waltzed into my house and acted like he owned you. He was smug, and even though he never touched you, he gave off the impression of touching you the entire time. Like he was staking his claim, showing his dominance.”
“I hadn’t noticed you paying that much attention.”
“I was watching. He knew it. He’s slick, Jamie, and not in a good way. I can just look at him and tell he’s seen way too much in his lifetime. Things you couldn’t understand. Your mother and I have worked hard to keep you kids sheltered. We’re proud of the fact that you’re innocent, because you haven’t been exposed to the things in life that make people hard. Kage is hard, son. You can see it in his eyes.”
I growled and dragged a hand through my hair. “What is it about the eyes? People keep saying they see something in his eyes, like there’s evil lurking in there. I don’t see that. What I see is generous and caring and… perfect.”
“Obviously, other people can see what you can’t. It makes sense. When people are in a new relationship, they have blinders on, and in your case it’s worse. You’re a lot like your mother. You see what you want to see. The two of you just float around in this world you’ve made up for yourselves, and any time reality doesn’t suit you, you just ignore it.”
“I think I’m in love with him, Dad.”
“Oh, God,” he groaned. “Please don’t tell me that. What’s wrong with the girl? Layla. She still likes you. Why couldn’t you fall in love with her?”
“I don’t know, it just didn’t happen. She’s great, but for whatever reason she didn’t get… like, you know… my heart. Or whatever. Jeez, I sound like a valley girl Hallmark card.”
Dad pushed his tray away. He looked tired, like our conversation was sapping every ounce of energy out of him. “I suppose you’ll be wanting to get married, now that it’s legal.”
“No.” I laughed at the absurdity of his comment, but there was an odd little flutter in my heart at the same time. And then the flutter died when I remembered one small detail. “He broke up with me, anyway, so….”
“What?” That got the energy flowing through the old man again. “Why the hell would he do that?”
I shrugged. “Because when we were at the house with you guys, I acted like I was ashamed of him.”
“Because you didn’t flaunt it out to everyone? That’s just unfair. What did he expect you to do? Waltz right in with your arms around each other? Make out in front of your mother? That’s ridiculous.”
“Are you upset that Kage broke up with me?” I teased, raising a brow.
“I’m not thrilled with any of this.” He pushed his tray even farther away, as if the left over blob of gelatinous gravy was what was upsetting him. “I was already angry with him for taking advantage of you. But now to find out that he just took what he wanted and then cast you aside? That really pisses me off.”
“Blame me, Dad. It’s my fault because of the way I treated him.”
“No. He can’t just disrespect you like that. Relationships aren’t perfect, people aren’t perfect, and you don’t just leave the other person high and dry because of one mistake. Give me that bastard’s phone number. I’m gonna call that bastard up and give him a piece of my mind.”
I leaned in and whispered, “You’re yelling. The whole cafeteria is listening.”
Dad looked around the room, and every eye stared right back at him. “What?” he yelled at them. “Mind your own business.”
I swear I had never seen my dad so mad, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud that he was taking up for me instead of telling me how badly I’d disappointed him. It certainly wasn’t what I’d been expecting.