Why?
When he does glance up at me, his eyes are hesitant, not solid like they always are.
Something snaps inside me. I don’t know if it’s terror or anger, but it’s piercing and painful, like a needle to the heart.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Before I know it, I’m storming away from him with tears pooling in my eyes. I keep my face hidden as I take the stairs. If our parents see, it will be over.
If it isn’t already…
It takes all my willpower not to slam my door behind me. And as I toss myself down on my bed, I listen, waiting for the sound of Jake’s footsteps.
Instead, I hear the front door open and close, and his car start and pull out of the driveway. My heart shatters.
Well, I guess I got my answer.
8
JAKE
I’m a fuck-up.
I’m an ex-con and a fuck-up. And last night, Ireallyfucked up.
Piper’s face has been stuck in my mind. Those eyes…pleading with me for an answer. An answer I didn’t give.
What’s wrong with you? All you had to do was tell her you loved her.
And I couldn’t even do that.
Hearing that Dad might know about us just had me frozen. I was absolutely sure we were being careful. Just thinking about him finding out had me panicked.
I’ve been on the end of his anger before. I can handle it. But what I can’t handle is all this affectingher.
I spent all last night driving around, staying away from the house. I knew if I went home, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her.
Wouldn’t be able to stop myself from rushing into her room and doing something that would get us both into even more trouble.
I’ll talk to her today. Make up for last night. She’ll listen to me. I know she will. But as I pull up to the house, I see her car is gone. So is Wendy’s.
The only one home is Dad. And he’s the last person I want to see right now. But I need to get inside. I need a shower. I need sleep.
I hear him in his study and try to sneak up the stairs to my room, but it’s no use. He comes barging out like a bull out of the gate.
“Where have you been?” he asks as if he’s accusing me of something. “Out all night?”
“Last time I checked, I’m a grown man. I don’t need your permission to go somewhere.”
“Last time I checked,I’m your father. And you still need to listen to me.”
I scoff. “So what? You want to give me a bedtime again?”
He’s being super hostile. Could what Piper said be true? Does he actually know about us?
He strides right up to me and gets in my face. My prison instincts immediately kick in, causing my fists to clench.
“You went to jail, Jake. And I took you back. If I want, I can toss you out on your ass just as quick.”
