Page 72 of The Liar in Room 5

And there it was.

That one line was the realest thing I’d ever heard him say.

“My friends and folks are waiting for me. What did you need?”

I kept the emotion from my voice because I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of watching me break down.

“Maybe I was too hasty. I’ve missed you, and I think there’s a place for you in my life…”

“In your house? Standing next to you?”

The amusement in Jonathan’s eyes didn’t make me sad.

It pissed me off.

And there was not one damn reason I needed to stand here and listen to it.

My life was good. I had a job I loved, a place to live that Phoenix had created for guys like me because of people like him. What I needed wasn’t with Jonathan in a dark hallway, settling for so much less than I deserved.

“Don’t answer that. I’m going back where I belong.”

And I left him standing there without a single backward glance.

My future would never be found by returning and allowing myself to be a disposable option. It was with the life that came with family and friends who helped me figure out what my favorite ice cream flavor was when I couldn’t remember who I was.

“Oh, there you are,” Daddy said as I approached the table. He was already on his feet and standing behind his chair. “I was worried something was wrong and was about to become a one-man search party.”

“No worries. I just got waylaid downstairs.”

Daddy opened his arms, and I stepped into his embrace. When he turned and kissed my temple, I knew my decision was the right one.

He was going to be my future.

“Daddy, thank you for the best birthday.”

“Yeah? I’m so glad you had a good time. Hopefully, I was an all right companion for the spa, even though I was a last-minute substitution.”

“What do you mean?” I drew back so I could see him clearly.

After dinner, we’d stayed for a beautiful birthday cake that involved too many candles and plenty of off-key singing. Then Daddy and I drove my parents to their hotel with a promise to see them in the morning for brunch.

“It was supposed to be you and your mom, with Marc and me entertaining your dad doing something we hadn’t figured out yet.”

With both our heads on the pillows, we were staring at each other like kids whispering in the dark when they were up past their bedtimes. I liked the vibe.

“Oh, she would’ve loved that, even though she’d have told me the entire time she’d never done anything like that before. But you were all right, I guess.” My smile gave away the joke.

Daddy leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss across my lips.

“I hate that she didn’t get the full Cali treatment. Maybe you can take her there later this week. I mean, if it’s not too much trouble for you.”

“I’m not sure she’d be down for the massage or the sauna, but I’m sure she’d like the mani-pedi and facial part. She might not have time to fit me in though.”

“Why’s that?” Daddy’s eyebrows wrinkled together when he was confused. It was cute.

“Because she, my dad, and Ben have made plans with each other. I think the rest of us are invited, but I’m not sure.”

In the quiet of Daddy’s bedroom, it truly felt like we’d managed to shut out the rest of the world.