Page 62

Under the table, Pogo whined. He hated it when his people argued. Dad and Dakota were too riled to stop now, though. I lowered my hand under this table, waiting for his cold nose to press into my palm, then stroked his ears soothingly.

“You’re just blowing everything out of proportion!” Dad insisted.

“Really?” Dakota said, voice rising. “Because Joey’s only been around me a few weeks, and he treats me like I’m more capable than you do. You’ve had years to get used to this, Dad. To see that I’m strong, that I can still do things.”

“Joey?” Dad asked.

Uh-oh. We’d stepped in it now. Dakota and I had discussed it after meeting Joey for that lunch, and we’d agreed that Dad would not take well to Joey coming into her life. I hadn’t taken well to it either, of course, but I knew I couldn’t hold Dakota back when she really wanted something. She had a strong will, and she’d only fight harder if you tried to control her.

I shook my head no, but Dakota had that stubborn look in her eye.

“Joey Whittaker,” she said. “He’s the kid that hit my car. He’s been helping out at New Horizons.”

“What?” Dad dropped his spoon with a clatter.

Pogo scurried out from under the table, ears perked up.

“It’s a good thing, Dad,” Dakota said. “He apologized to me. He wants to make amends.”

Dad pushed out of his chair and turned furious eyes on me. “And you let this guy waltz into your sister’s life?”

“It’s not my decision⁠—”

“Stop talking to him like I’m a child who’s his responsibility!” Dakota snapped. “I’m a grown-up, and I get to make my own choices.”

Dad looked lost. “Why would you want to ever speak to this guy again? I don’t understand.”

She met his gaze. “Because he was there, Dad. That accident didn’t hurt only me.”

“He’s walking around, looking just fine to me. Driving that ugly Hummer around town like nothing happened.” Dad scoffed. “How was he hurt, huh? Tell me how he’s suffering?”

“He feels bad, Dad.”

“Oh, he feels bad.” Dad chuckled, a sharp edge to his tone. “Well, that’s so sad for him. He feels bad that he nearly killed you, paralyzed you for life, and probably drove your mother into an early grave. Let’s all rush to forgive the poor boy.”

I winced, because damn, I hadn’t forgiven Joey the way Dakota had, but Dad was livid. My stomach twisted uncomfortably. Is this what I’d looked like that night I confronted Joey in his pool house?

Pogo whined, obviously bothered by Dad’s tone, too.

Dakota glared at our father, not the slightest bit intimidated by his sarcastic response.

“It’s my life, as you said.” Dakota’s voice had gone eerily calm, which was a sign she was beyond angry. “I’m the one who nearly died. I’m the one in this chair. You’re not suffering from that accident, Dad. And Mom didn’t die be-because of⁠—”

Her voice choked off.

“Of course she didn’t,” I said. “That came years later. You know that too, Dad.”

He huffed. “It sure didn’t help the last years of her life, did it?”

“I’m not hungry,” Dakota said. “I’m going to bed. Kit, will you clean up?”

“Yeah,” I said.

“Dakota,” Dad pled. “You need to calm down and eat. There’s no reason to…”

Dakota ignored him, wheeling out of the room, Pogo hot on her heels. He’d make sure she was okay. Dakota was always first in his heart.

Dad started after her too. “Will you just wait?”