She flopped into her car, smiling even though no one could see her. “I know. You’re my dad.”
He laughed into her ear softly and gently. “Yes. That is exactly what I am. Will you be careful? Promise me. Don’t get too hung up. See the reality and walk away if necessary.”
“I will.”
“If you don’t see it and I do, promise me you’ll listen to me and hear me.”
She shut her eyes and bit her lip. Please don’t let it get there. But she nodded, again even though he couldn’t see her. Finally, she sniffled and said, “I promise, Rob. I promise.”
“But don’t go to Jim’s. He was leaving his place. Just stay home, and I’ll see you in a few minutes. Okay?”
Her heart deflated. Where would Jim go? Acid climbed up her throat. It hurt. But she went back inside the house and paced and waited and fretted. Finally, she heard Rob pulling in and she ran out to meet him. Flinging the front door open, she found Jim standing behind Rob in the doorway. He came here? To her? Obviously.
Her entire body nearly melted into a puddle on the ground. Jim came to her? He wasn’t ready to turn his back on her and never speak to her again. That’s all she could picture him doing. All afternoon, her stomach roiled in knots. She wondered how he’d react. She feared he’d simply never want to see her again. She fought the urge to rush him.
But of course, Rob was standing in front of him. Rebecca came in when she heard the door and was also anxious to see how Rob’s meeting with Jim went. Expecting to see just Rob, as Kayla did, Rebecca descended the stairs hastily. Kayla’s hair was a crazy mess piled on top of her head in a rough knot. No makeup. Slouchy sweats and a t-shirt without socks. No shower either. Kayla was biting her nails, pacing, and trying to figure out what Rob could possibly say to Jim. Each time she pictured the moment Jim opened the door to Rob, she tried to imagine what the hell happened. Would Jim hate her for betraying his confidence?
And siccing her stepfather on him?
Now, here he was.
There was no masking her anxiety.
The silence made it awkward between them. Rob stepped inside and walked over to her mom and kissed her cheek.
“Hey.” Rob smiled as he looked at Rebecca before setting his gaze on Kayla. “Hi, honey.”
She took in his small, tight smile, glad to see his face free of worry or anger. Something must have gone right. That’s how she read Rob. He smiled and winked before turning his attention to her mom. “Why don’t we leave them alone?”
Disappearing down the hallway, Kayla heard the hallway door close. They were leaving the house. But she had no idea where Karlee was and worried that Kathy might come in at any point. She often made unannounced visits.
Where to start? Again, more confusion. She raised her eyebrows. “Uh… hi.”
Jim dug his hands into pockets and his shoulders slunk down as he slouched. That was how she was used to seeing him. “Hey.”
“Do you want to come in?” Duh. They were not yet fully comfortable in each other’s presence.
He nodded and stepped inside, taking way too long to shut the door.
She sighed, shaking her head, and thinking she needed clearer boundaries. “I can’t go on like we are. What the hell are we doing? Dating? Am I your girlfriend? Are you here to tell me you never want to see me again? Are you angry at me for telling my family and sending Rob to see you? Or were you just having sex with me because you needed it, and now it accidentally snowballed on you? Which is it?”
His eyes widened at seeing her serious scowl and his reply was a small smile. “Um, so that’s a lot of questions. Let’s see if I can answer everything. Yes. No. No. No.”
She scowled harder. Her mind scrabbling. What did she ask? She didn’t expect him to just answer with one word. She threw up her hands. “I don’t remember what I asked.”
Three giant steps put him suddenly in front of her. His hand wrapped around the back of her head and his mouth found hers as he planted a long, hard kiss on her lips. Gently dipping his tongue into her mouth before he released her, he peppered soft, little kisses on her lips, her cheeks, and her hairline. Gripping her with his other hand, he pushed her into a hug and held her tightly against him. She found herself wrapped up in both of his arms, her face smooshed against his chest as his cheek rested on the crazy knot of hair she’d gathered on top of her head.
Only his voice interrupted her thoughts. “You asked me if you were my girlfriend. My answer is yes. We can talk about the rest, but that was the most important answer.”
Her whole body went limp as a noodle and she cuddled into him. It was the first time she believed he wanted to be there with her. He finally owned it, his need to have her presence near him, with him, while before he used to rattle off all the reasons they shouldn’t be together. Feeling a little cross about it, she managed to mumble, “It’s the first time you’ve finally manned up and admitted it.”
His chest moved as he chuckled softly and his big hand rubbed the back of her head. “I have a feeling you’ll have a lot to say about it. I’m sorry for what you saw the other night, and for how long it’s taken me to tell you things. I’m not mad; you should be mad.”
“I am mad. But I feared you might never talk to me again.”
She eased back to look into his eyes. He touched her face as he said softly, “I’m talking to you now.”
“Let’s go to my room.”
He gave her a
