“Thanks for watching Zinnia,” he says.
I’m surprised by that, so I nod with a smile. “Yeah. You’re welcome.”
He taps his finger on the back of the chair. The sound is rhythmic. Deliberate.
“What’d you guys do?”
I swallow down the rest of my water and answer, “Nothing much.”
He nods slowly, turning sideways in his chair to look at me.
“Have any visitors?”
Water drips down the side of my mouth at the question. I quickly wipe it away with the back of my hand.
I nod. “Uh, yeah. Actually, Elle, Peyton, Hailey, and Madison came over.”
His eyes widen slightly. “Anyone else?”
I shake my head, taking a step back. “No. I’m going to––”
“Wait.”
I freeze.
My heart hammers against my ribs when his eyes meet mine.
“Are you sure?”
I swallow hard. The lump in my throat feels like a rock.
“Madison’s boyfriend stopped by for something. We walked out to his car to grab it and then came back in.”
He taps his finger again.
“And who is this boy?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, Dad. Madison’s boyfriend.”
He’s quiet.
I stand, frozen in the corner.
“Another hockey player?”
I don’t answer.
“You think I’m so stupid, don’t you?”
His famous line.
I blink as his expression hardens.
“I don’t think that,” I answer.
“Then tell me why the fuck there were three hockey players outside of our house tonight.”
I inhale sharply, trying hard not to blink, but my body betrays me. He can see right through me. The pit in my stomach grows at the thought of him watching us.
