Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)
“He isn’t. Or, he didn’t use to be. He was a good dad… before.” I tilt my head to look at him. “How much do you know about what happened anyway?”
“Just what Kendrick told me.” He shrugs. “That your folks got into a huge fight and your dad took off. Don’t know why though.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
“You’re telling me you don’t even have one idea?”
“My guess is he cheated on her. It’s the only thing that makes sense. But why wouldn’t they just tell me that? If they felt they had to keep it from me, it must be worse. A lot worse.”
“Maybe they’re just trying to protect you,” he points out.
“I don’t need their protection. What I need is the goddamn truth,” I snap, instantly berating myself for taking it out on him.
He doesn’t so much as flinch.
“I’m sorry.” I exhale.
“Don’t apologize.” He couldn’t care less if he tried.
“The weeks after he left, Kendrick was extra nice to my mom, and you know how he is. Kendrick being a kiss-ass can only mean two things: either he wants something, or he feels guilty. There’s more to the story. There has to be.”
“Ever tried asking him about it?” he asks.
“Yeah, but he always denies it.”
“The truth will come out one way or another. It always does.” His heavy eyes shutter closed.
Mine follow.
“Hope you’re right.”
He lets out a deep, rough laugh.
“I’m always right, control freak.”
I can picture his stupid, sexy grin and sleepy face without looking at him. A short moment of silence ensues, but it’s not uncomfortable. We simultaneously glance at each other.
Damn you, Martins.
Why is it so easy with you?
“What about you? Got any bad parenting stories for me?”
He scoffs. “How much time you got?”
I know he’s joking, but his voice drips with truth.
“That bad?”
“Worse. Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“What? Now you have to tell me. I don’t make the rules.”
“Man.” He drags a long sigh. “Where do I begin? Dad took off with every penny we had when I was eight, spent it all at the casino, and left my mom and I to live on the street.”
I’m left speechless. I did not see that coming.
“I’m… I’m so sorry” is the only answer I can come up with.