Taking a deep breath I prepared myself to face the day. Dad had told me last night when he came up that he’d given the job to someone else. I was happy for the young woman who dad said had fallen on hard times but now with my newfound resolve I was at a lost as to what to do with my days. Dad was sitting at the table with his coffee and had one waiting for me next to him. He seemed much lighter this morning and I was sure it was because of Matt and their talk. If anyone wanted me to have the life of a teenager I knew it was my dad.
I slumped down in the chair next to his and laid my head on his shoulder. He kissed my hair and hugged my shoulder before I lifted it again. “What’s the matter princess?”
“I can’t see Matthew again.”
“What why?” he looked so broken by that, like I’d taken away his light or something, it was crushing to see the light go out of his eyes but it was better this way.
“Dad you know it’s only a matter of time before he finds me, what then? Do you think it’s fair to involve Matthew in something like this? I’m living on borrowed time dad…”
“Kadyn no, come on you’re safe here, please don’t throw away your chance at happiness. Don’t you like Matt?”
“Of course I do, he’s gorgeous he’s kind and he seems to like me more than a little bit. But how long will that last when this all comes to a head? No it’s better this way.”
“Did something happen? I heard your phone ring did Matthew say something to you?”
“No dad he was calling to see what time I would be coming over to hang out by the pool. Shopping, hanging by the pool, these things sound nice but I know better dad. Somehow he always finds a way to mess things up. It’s like he always knows when I’m happy, when I’ve finally taken even the smallest step out from under his shadow and then he pounces.” Dad didn’t say anything more but I could tell he was disappointed, no more so than I. What Matt was offering was my every dream come true but I knew it was not meant to be, not for me anyway.
I wanted it too much, wanted everything, but most importantly I wanted it with Matthew Steele, experience had taught me that it would never be. That truth had been brought home when the only boy who had been brave enough to come to my doorstep had been run off the road after leaving my house that night. He’d only been there to study; he’d needed help with his chemistry class. Tommy Bruno didn’t know any of that he didn’t care. Evan had lived but I had never allowed another male to get near me after that for any reason. If he hurt my Matthew it would kill me; my Matthew. Better stop thinking like that, I will hold onto the memory of what little time we had together but I had to let go. I had no choice.
After dad left to go downstairs I cleaned up and went back to my room. I had to figure out some way to get all of this tuff back to him and his jeep. I could always drive over there but I didn’t want to, it would be too hard seeing them all again so happy together, knowing that I could never be a part of that. It was best to sever all ties now. I turned off my phone hoping that that would send the message that I didn’t want to talk to him and decided that I’ll ask dad to return the stuff later.
Chapter 18
MATT
Where the hell is she? It was way past the time she said she would be here. My first instinct was to panic but I quelled that shit, I couldn’t ask her not to see the boogeyman around every corner if I was going to start doing the same thing. I called her phone and it went straight to voice mail. Maybe she was driving and couldn’t answer the phone, good girl. I went about getting ready for her day of fun, mom said she was going to fire up the grill and make a party of it later in the afternoon. Everyone was onboard to make it a nice experience for her. I was immensely proud of my family for the way they were acting, no one was asking questions though I’m sure they were dying to know, they just accepted that she was mine and that was enough.
By the time enough time had gone by that she should be here and she was still a no show I tried calling again and got the voice mail. Then I started worrying, I paced the patio as I dialed the diner hoping that all was well and she was safe. Maybe she got a late start or something had come up. “Stan’s Eats.”