Breaking Mr. Cane (Cane 2)

But that wasn’t it at all. “Um…Cane didn’t go through with the assault charges. He also told my boss what really happened…that I got angry because of what he’d done with you. I’ll be back to work next week.”

“Oh…uh…wow. That’s good!” I couldn’t believe it. “That was nice of him.” Really nice of him, in fact.

“I guess.”

“You guess? Dad, if he hadn’t dropped the charges and told them the truth, you might’ve lost your job.”

“I know that, Kandy. I’m glad he did it, but I’m not going to go around thanking the man for something he shouldn’t have done in the first place.”

I bit back all words. His anger was creeping in again. Not only that, but he was still hurt about this. Deep down, I knew Dad wanted to thank Cane, but his anger was fiercer than any sympathy he could give.

“I—I know. I’m sorry,” I murmured.

He let out a long, weary exhale. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not angry with you, Kandy. I’m angry about the situation, you know? I mean…I just. I don’t know. Maybe I’m mad at myself for not seeing it before having it shoved in my face like that. Now that I think about it, there were signs and I ignored them all. He was always…different with you. Always very careful and attentive to your needs.”

I didn't know what to say to that, and was glad he kept talking to spare me from filling in.

“As a kid, I understood his protectiveness over you. You grew on him, stuck to him like a little leech, and it was impossible to say no to you. But last year…I noticed there were changes. I noticed it but thought it was just my paranoia and cop instincts kicking in. I should have listened to what my gut was telling me. He was such a good guy that I thought, ‘No, not Cane. He wouldn’t do that to me. He’s my best friend. I’d take a bullet for him and I’m sure he’d do the same for me.’” He sighed. “There’s a reason I don’t have many friends. I don’t trust a lot of people.”

“Cane didn’t come onto me, Dad,” I said. “I just want you to know that. He never did anything to me that I didn’t want.”

“Kandy—“

“No, Dad, listen. I’m serious. I know you want to place all the blame on him but I knew what I was doing with him. He didn’t force it or make me do anything I didn’t want to do. As a matter of fact, he told me no repeatedly from the start but…I didn’t like it, and like you just said, it was always impossible for him to say no to me. Eventually, he caved and gave me what I wanted.”

He grumbled something, but I couldn't comprehend it. “I just don’t get it,” he muttered. “Why him? Why the only real friend I had?”

I stared down at the zigzags on the blue carpet then plucked at a string on my comforter. “I…I don’t know. I really don’t.” A tear escaped me as I thought of all the people I could have chosen to do something with instead of Cane. How all of this could have been prevented if I hadn’t been so selfish and needy several week sago. “Ever since I met him, I’ve liked him. A lot. I’ve always wanted him…and I’m sorry it was him, Dad. I tried to ignore the way I felt so many times but…I couldn’t fight it. I really love him.”

He scoffed. “Love him? Really, Kandy? Listen to yourself! What did he tell you that has you so damn brainwashed?!”

“He didn’t tell me anything and I’m not brainwashed! I don’t know why you and Mom think that! I’m old enough to know better and old enough to understand.” I huffed. “Doesn’t matter. I’m sure I’ll never see him again anyway.”

“Damn right you won’t. You’re in school and you’re starting over. You’re better off there, you hear me?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Good.” He was quiet a beat. “This changes nothing between us and I want you to know that.” His voice was softer, so sincere that my heart ached and my throat thickened. “You’re still my baby girl and I love you to death. There is nothing you can do that will ever change that.”

Another tear came rushing down, hot and swift. “I love you too.”

“Okay.” He grunted. “Stay safe and keep in touch. Get some rest too. I’m going to call your mother, check on her.”

“Okay.”

We said good night and I stared down at my phone screen. I had this sudden urge to cry—to just break down right then and there, sob into my pillow, and collect myself later…but I didn’t get the chance and truly, I was glad.

The door swung open and a husky girl with broad shoulders, thick arms and legs, and a slightly round mid-section walked through the door.