Page 114 of Guarded Deputy
Me: I wish, sis. In order to get him out, I told him I’d call him. I don’t want to talk to him, but if it’ll get him to leave town, then I’ll do it.
Brooke: Yea. I can see if Walker can stay with a friend, and we can have him come to the house. I don’t want to see him in public.
Me: Same
I put my phone away and get to my next class, telling myself to focus on my job and forget my personal life for a little while. I need to make a good impression on the superintendent so this program moves forward.
I can’t let my dad ruin anything else in my life.
“I don’t know if I like that Dad is going to know where we live, but it’s this or talk to him outside somewhere and risk people overhearing us,” Brooke says.
“I know.” I nod. “I’m just glad Walker was able to stay with a friend.”
I want to avoid him hearing anything unpleasant because I can’t guarantee I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ve been fuming all day, but at least the superintendent seemed pleased with her observations and congratulated us for the work we’re doing.
I pace the living room, waiting for my dad to arrive. It’s a slow torture waiting to get this over with. Brooke’s been nervous all afternoon, and I hate it for her. She’s gone through enough to have the ghost of our father return. I walk to her and give her a side hug.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.” She smiles up at me. “I don’t know how it’s going to feel to see him again after all these years. What he did to Mom, to us…” She shakes her head, trailing off.
“It was a bastard move,” I finish for her.
“Yeah.” She sighs.
A knock echoes around the house, and we look at each other.
“Let’s get this over with.” I squeeze her shoulder and move to the front door.
I open it to find my beaming father. He whistles and looks at the porch.
“Nice place you have here.” His smugness makes me furious.
“It’s Brooke’s place, and she’s worked her ass off to have it. No thanks to you.”
Brooke appears at the door, arms crossed.
“My baby girl,” my dad croons.
“Save it,” she bites out.
He flinches, furrowing his brows. “I deserve that.” He looks down at his feet.
I don’t buy his act one bit. The man is shameless.
“Can we talk?” He blinks up at us. “Like I told Nate, I just want a chance to make things right.” He takes a deep breath.
Brooke nods, stepping away. I already see a few neighbors looking out their windows at the situation.
“Come in.” I close the door and walk into the living room.
My dad looks around, taking in the decorated living room with photographs. He walks to a family picture of Brooke, David, and Walker on the TV stand. Grabbing the frame, he smiles.
“I have a handsome grandson. Looks just like his mother.” He turns his head toward Brooke. “Is he with his dad now?”
I take a deep breath and look at Brooke.
“No.” Her voice is cold.