“He has.” I poke Luke in the abs, which serves to remind me he’s made of steel plates. “Though if you want to split hairs, I’m the one who seduced him.”
Luke’s nodding along as a guard heads our way. “That’s true, sir. She’s a real hellcat, your daughter.”
I hold back a smile as a fat bulb of pride swells my chest. “There’s a testimonial for the judge. Pretty great character witness, right?”
My father still looks like I’m pulling his leg. “I find this all very hard to believe. You’ve always been a good girl, Hazel. Such a model citizen that you turned in your own father.”
That’s precisely why he believes I’m the best person to get him out of this. But I’m not, and this might be the only way he’ll hear me out. “I’m a hell-raiser,” I insist. “Completely wild and unhinged.”
“It’s true,” Luke agrees. “I think she even tore the tags off her mattress. I noticed when we were in bed and?—”
“Okay, that’s actually not illegal.” I appreciate the effort, though. “Buyers are permitted to remove those tags. It’s sellers who are required to leave them intact.”
But still, I think I’ve made my point. I suppose I owe thanks to Luke for the help, which I’ll offer as soon as I finish murdering him.
What did he tell me just last week?
I promise, Hazel—I’ll stay out of trouble; I won’t hang with criminals.
So he lied to me. Lied to me, which is hardly behavior I want from the father of my children. Definitely not in a romantic partner, so I’m relieved I didn’t sleep with him last night. Even though I wanted to. Even though?—
“Excuse me, sir?” One of the guards walks over to Luke. “You’re not allowed to be here right now.”
A second guard crosses his arms. “You were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago.”
Luke looks a little embarrassed. “Right, I was just?—”
“Out!” barks the first guard. “Now.” Gripping Luke’s arm, he steers him away.
“Wait!” I get to my feet, ready to argue it’s my fault he stayed past the limit.
But they’re already gone, and I still need to deal with my father. Sitting back down, I face him with both hands folded in my lap.
My father stares like I’m someone he doesn’t quite recognize. “It’s true,” he says softly. “You’re actually having a baby.”
“Two babies.” Instinct propels my hand to my mostly flat abdomen. “With a criminal.”
Shame coats my throat, but I swallow it back. Anger and fury swell up to replace it as I picture Luke’s guilt-stricken look when I saw him.
I may not know what he was doing here, but I do know he lied.
Shaking his head, my father massages his temples. “This can’t be happening.”
“I’m afraid it is.” I’m not afraid, actually. For the first time in weeks, I actually feel lighter. “I had sex with a guy who did hard time, and now I’m knocked up.”
My father breathes deeply, concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Smiling, I splay my palms flat on the table. “But I think we can agree I’m no longer equipped to smile like a sweet little angel and swear to some judge you’re a model citizen.”
Approaching my car, I see Luke leaning back on the hood. He’s wearing a t-shirt that’s faded and patchy, hugging his biceps like somebody pasted it on him. I hate the fierce pulse of heat between my legs, or the way my heart surges into my throat.
“Thank you for playing along,” I tell him. “Please get off my car now.”
“You’re pissed.”
“I’m upset.” I try to maneuver around him, but Luke doesn’t move. “I’ve got a long drive back to Cherry Blossom Lake and a lot of work to do once I get there.”
“I didn’t lie, Hazel.”
