When Rivals Lose (Bayshore Rivals 2)

Impatiently, I wait another minute before entering the room. I don’t want him to know that I heard the conversation. Shoving it to the back of my mind, I concentrate on the anger boiling in my veins over him lying to me about college. If he lied about this, then what else has he lied about?

Certain that enough time has passed, I march into the room without knocking. My father’s head snaps up from the papers he is working on at my appearance.

“Harlow?” Shock fills his features. Why is he so surprised to see me? I don’t dwell on the thought for long since there are other pressing matters.

“Why did you lie to me about college?” I bellow, getting straight to the point. Walking up to his desk, I toss the ID card at him. It slides across the polished wood, coming to a stop right in front of him. As if he had this all planned out, his lips part, and he looks up at me, shame flickering in his eyes.

“Harlow, you don’t understand. I’m trying to protect you.”

“Protect me? From what? Getting an education?”

“From being hurt. You were not safe there. Someone tried to kill you, twice!” he growls, “You’re a Lockwood, and as your father, it is my job to protect you.”

“Protect me from the truth? If there was really someone trying to kill me, then why wouldn’t you tell me? Why would you hide that information from me?”

“What do you want me to say, Harlow?” He tosses his hands into the air, frustration seeping into the space between us. “There was no way you would have healed if we had put you under more stress. I brought you home and kept things from you because I wanted to help you heal faster, and I wasn’t going to have you miles away from your family, only for someone to succeed in killing you.”

My heart sinks into my stomach, “I feel trapped here. If I was away at college, then that’s where I should be right now. That’s why I don’t remember anything…” My voice trails off, “I don’t remember anything because I wasn’t here. This place isn’t my home anymore. The doctor said I should be where I was before the accident, but I’m not.”

Something that resembles anger ignites in his gaze, “That’s a lie, and you know it. This is your home, and it will always be your home. You’ve lived here your entire life, why would you say such a thing?”

Truthfully, I don’t know, all I know is that if this place were home, if it was where I belonged, then surely, I would remember the simplest of things. As it is, I can’t even walk around the house without getting lost.

“I want to go back to college, and even if you don’t want me to, I’m still going.”

“And who do you think is going to pay for that, young lady?” he spits, and I have the sudden urge to stomp my foot. Him treating me like a child, makes me want to act like one.

“You will,” I snap back at him. “Because if you don’t, I’ll tell Mom about your affair.” Dad looks at me like I’ve just slapped him. A short silence settles between us, and I can see the uncertainty in his eyes, he’s trying to figure out what to say next.

“How did you find out about that?” he finally says, his voice oddly calm.

“I just heard you on the phone before I came in.” I don’t see the point in lying to him, I’ve got leverage now, and I’m going to use it.

“It’s not what you think…” He starts, but I interject.

“I don’t care who you’re with, or what you’re doing. All I want is to go back to Bayshore. I don’t belong here.”

“You do, but I wasn’t lying about being worried about you. Someone is trying to hurt you, and I can’t protect you from here. So, if you must go, then I’ll be sending two of my men with you.”

“Two men?” I’m bewildered, and I’m sure my face shows it. “What? Like as bodyguards?”

“Yes, exactly like that. You must think I’m stupid if you think I’m sending you there unprotected.”

Annoyed and thoroughly done with the conversation, I roll my eyes, “Fine, send who you want, as long as they stay out of my way.” I spin around and head for the door when he calls after me, making me stop midstep.

“Harlow, like any family, we have had some disagreements in the past. We are not perfect, but you must believe me when I say, I truly care about you and I don’t want anything to happen to you.” The sincerity in his voice is unmistakable, but still, I can’t fully forgive him for lying to me. If he’s lied once, he’s most likely lied before.