She’s not scared of me. “Fine. Then explain why I’m not allowed to see her anymore. If you even try the ‘bad influence’ speech, I’ll literally die laughing.”
“Enough,” I bark. “I just said she can’t tutor you here. It’s just…work related.”
“You’re lying.” She tilts her head, obviously seeing right through me. “Something happened,” she states. “You’re all jumpy and gross, and you keep twitching every time her name comes up. Dr. Frank said she saw you Friday at the Stone Wall Pub, and Dr. Williams was there, too. Did you sleep with her?”
Goddammit. Why is this town so small?
The silence that follows is thick, because I can’t even open my mouth andtryto lie again. I lie enough to my daughter as it is. So, I stare at the contents of the fridge, like I might find the truth in there.
“Oh… My… Holy shit,” she whispers. “Youdid.” She then bursts into the most obnoxiously happy fit of laughter, echoing through the whole house. “This is incredible. Youfinallydid something risky. I’m so proud of you.”
I eye her, feeling like an ashamed teenager. “Molly, don’t.”
But she’s grinning. “Dad, youhaveto let her come over. I want to witness my father finally falling in love. Please.”
I shake my head, the memories flooding my brain. “You don’t know anything about it. That’s not how it even works, and it wasn’t…”
She pops her hip out. “Iknowyou,” she says, pointing at me. “You get close to someone, you freak out, and you push them away. That’s what Mom said you did, because letting someone in means you might get hurt. Youlikeher.”
“These aren’t things you talk to your kid about,” I fall back on the only excuse I know to use.
She makes a face at me. “Yeah, you definitely have the hots for her.”
My irritation level rises. “Drop it.”
She leans in, eyes narrowing. “No.Youdrop it. Stop playing tough guy.”
The urge to explode is so strong I’m left clenching my fists. “Isaidshe’s not coming here. Whether or not I’mplaying toughis my problem, not yours. You’re coming to my house, youwillrespect my rules.”
She doesn’t even flinch. “She’s the first professor I’ve ever had who actually listens to what I have to say. And you know what else? I think she’s been hurt really bad. I can see it in the way she does things…” Molly’s tone is so thoughtful and intuitive, I stay quiet. “She reminds me of the men you bring here for your…projects.Broken.”
Even more of a reason not to get close.
“That’s really great insight, but,” I swallow hard, “Go to your mom’s.”
Molly’s palpable disappointment hits a nerve deep in my chest that I force myself to ignore. There’s a lot about me that would probably disappoint her, but this one is just better for everyone.
“I think you should let someone in,” Molly says, and then grabs her bag back up, swinging it over her shoulder. For a second, she just stands there, staring at me like she’s waiting for me say something. “This is why nobody stays,” she says, her voice tight. “You don’tletanyone.”
She spins around then and storms out, slamming the door so hard the picture frames on the wall shudder. I stand there, breathing in the silence.
I know she’s right, but her reasons are all fucking wrong.
Chapter 24
Jenna
Molly:Hey, address change for today. So sorry for being last minute!
I reread the text on my phone, and then shift my eyes to the house in front of me. It’s a nice two-story home and looks very different than the Bradford cabin out by the tree farm. However, before I can double check the address, Molly comes bounding out the front door.
“Hi!” She waves at me, and then stops a couple feet from my car door as I slide out. “I’m so sorry that we changed spots. That was so rude of me, especially with last time.” Her voice has this strange softness to it, and I can’t decide if she actually feels bad…
Or if there is something entirely different going on.
“It’s okay,” I reassure her, slinging my computer bag over my shoulder. “Did your dad have to work?”
Her smiles fades. “Uh… Maybe. I don’t know.”
