She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Semantics, my ass. I didn’t say a word.”
“Oh, come on. Like you weren’t thinking it.”
“But I didn’tsay it.”
You didn’t have to.I roll my eyes. “I just came home from work. You’re the one speculating about what’s inside my bedroom. I won’t see an imprint of you on my bed, will I?”
She looks surprised. Slowly, the surprise turns into a mischievous grin. “No, but that would’ve been a damn good idea. Make you lie in bed all night wondering what I did on your blankets.”
Well, that would be a slight deviation from wondering what I’d do to you on my blankets.
“Here it is,” Kennedy says loudly, marching into the room. “Don’t be pissed.”
“There’s always tomorrow,” Megan whispers before returning to the enchiladas.
I want to say something back and deal with the heat building in my groin, but a detention notice is thrust into my hands.Nice cock block.
“Here’s the thing,” Kennedy says, hands on her hips. “I was there. I didn’t skip class.”
“Ken, please. Don’t lie to me.”
Her jaw drops. “I was there, Dad. I mean it. I was as shocked as you are when I got that today.”
“After this exact conversation last week, I find that hard to believe.”
“Dad.”
“I thought we were getting somewhere. I thought you were going to do better.”
“I am doing better. Why don’t you believe me?”
Suddenly, my exhaustion from the day settles back into my bones.
Arguing with my daughter isn’t going to help. If it would, one of the last sixteen hundred arguments about this would’ve cured the problem. And if that were the case, I would also know what the problem is—why she’s testing every nerve I have left.
Megan smiles softly. I imagine she’s grateful she doesn’t have to deal with this longer than a month. I can’t blame her. It’s a lot.
But,it’s also everything.
I exhale and turn back to Kennedy. Her eyes plead with me, her bottom lip beginning to quiver. She looks like the little girl she once was, and I remind myself she’s still her. She’s just bigger, and her life is more complicated.
Glancing at Megan, my insides twist.
Maybe my life is a bit more complicated too.
“Let’s eat,” I say, putting an arm around Kennedy’s shoulders. “Then we’ll talk about it.”
“Really?”
I kiss the top of her head. “Really.”
Kennedy wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me.
“Whoa, wait. I’m filthy,” I say, pushing her back. “I need to grab a shower.”
She hugs me even tighter.
Megan smiles and turns back to the oven.
