Jay blinks at me as he hands me the handset. “Dad?”
I bring the handset to my ear, and I clear my throat. “Uh, hi, it’s me.”
I move a few steps away from the bed, feeling a little awkward.
“Robin? I don’t know what happened. Are you with someone?”
“You could say that,” I murmur, not sure how much I want to tell him.
He might be my father, biologically, but I haven’t spent a lot of time with him since I found out he existed. At the same time, he’ll find out I’ve taken mates soon enough.
It’s probably less shocking to tell him before he visits again.
“Are you okay?” he asks, sounding vaguely concerned.
“I’m better than okay,” I start. “I met my true mates. I have a pack now.”
I wait to hear what he has to say about that, holding my breath.
It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing most fathers would be cool with.
“Oh,” he says. “That’s a surprise.”
“It was a surprise to me, too,” I admit. “But I’m happy.”
“Well, good. I’m glad.” He pauses again, and I can’t help wondering if I’ve flustered him with this news.
“Um, it’s good to hear from you,” I start. “Were you calling to arrange another visit?”
“Yes, that’s what I’d hoped, at least.”
“Did Lana tell you …”
“About the fence?”
“Um, yeah.”
“I know it could be a few days, but I was hoping … Well, I know this is going to be a surprise for you, but I …” he trails off, sighing. “Sorry, I’m just … You have a sister, Robin.”
“Sorry, what?” I ask.
“I had her a few years before I met your mother. Her name is Rebecca. Her mother left her with me a long time ago. She’s … well, she’s been struggling with an eating disorder for years. I’ve done everything I can to help her get better. I’m sorry to put this on you. I just thought that maybe if you could meet her, you could help her see that she can get better.”
“Oh,” I murmur.
“It’s too soon. I’m sorry. I just … You need family, and she could use a sister now more than ever.”
He sounds so desperate, and it sinks in that this is why he sought me out.
It’s messed up to think that, but I can’t ignore it.
He’s got another daughter.
She’s been living with him this whole time.
Of course he’d do anything for her.
Including visiting me and trying to get me to help.
