Tears burned behind my eyes, and I took slow, steady breaths to keep them at bay.
I need information.
A plan.
That always helps.
Suddenly wishing I’d brought a notebook, I sat up straight and put my focus on something other than my emotions. “Tell me what’s happening with your case.”
Dad reared back a little where he sat in the faded chair, but he answered instead of evading like he used to. “My lawyer is still working out the logistics of everything. But considering the relatively small scale of the kickbacks and that no one died, she’s confident they’ll agree to three years.”
“Years?” I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous. You need a better lawyer. I’ll ask Easton for recommendations?—”
“Easton Wells?” he cut in, his brows lowering.
I forgot that my dad would be out of the loop that was once such an intrinsic part of his social and work life. “He’s dating Maddie. Anyway, I’m sure he can recommend someone better equipped to fight?—”
“I’m not interested in someone better.”
“Because three years is too long?—”
“Greer.”
“Like you said, it was small scale?—”
“Greer.”
“Not that you don’t deserve some punishment, but?—”
My dad slammed his hand down on the arm of the chair. “Greer Moore!”
I pressed my lips together as I looked at him.
It wasn’t irritation or anger in his expression. It was worse. His face was soft with guilt and acceptance. “Sweetheart, I don’twanta new lawyer. Mine already offered to go to bat on this. I’m the one who said no. I don’t want a trial. I want to face my consequences and then move on with my life. And I want to do that while disrupting yours and your mom’s lives as little as possible. There will still be some press coverage, but it’ll be a lot less than if I fight it.”
“We can deal with coverage,” I said, even as the thought of it made acid burn my throat.
“No. I’ve put you and your mom through too much already.” He crossed one of his legs over the other, and his pants shifted up to show the flashing ankle monitor. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen my dad blush, but redness moved across his face as he quickly dropped his leg and cleared his throat. Awkward silence stretched before he broke it. “Maddie is dating Easton Wells? That’s not a pair I would expect.”
“They’re good together.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” He gave me a small smile. “I’ll take that look as a yes.” His smile fell just as fast as it’d formed. “It’s not Josh again, is it?”
“No,” I rushed out before he’d even finished his question.
“Because I know you’re an adult who can make her own choices. And he’s not responsible for my actions. That’s on me. But that doesn’t mean he’s innocent. If things between you two?—”
It was my turn to cut him off. “Dad, no.I haven’t even talked to Josh since everything went down.”
Well, other than answering his call yesterday.
“Good.” He slumped back like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For a second at least. The tension was back when he went for nonchalance—and missed it by a long mile. “How’s your mom?”
“I’m not talking about her with you,” I said firmly. I’d made the decision to accept his olive branch and give him the chance to mend the rift he’d created.
But only the one between us.
When my mom talked to him—ifshe talked to him—was her choice.
