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Sloane
“I forbid you to see him again!”
I let out a deep sigh. My dad’s bark was always worse than his bite, and while it would scare the heck out of me when I was a kid, now it just adds to my stress. As if I don’t have enough to worry about right at this very second. “Daddy, I know you don’t approve of him, but—"
“Approve of him?” My father slams a hand down on my kitchen table. “I don’t want you living in the same state as him! No, I take that back. If he lived in California, it would still be too close. He’s a smart-mouthed asshole who had every opportunity to make something of himself and instead chose to beat people up for a living. How do you figure that he’d be good for you? You work so hard and you help people for a living! How can you even entertain dating someone whose job is to hurt people?”
Interesting. My dad thought Max had potential once upon a time, and if it’s one thing my dad hates, it’s wasted potential. He worked too hard to get where he is today, so watching someone else go in the opposite direction drives him insane. Too bad Max’s own father didn’t lay into him the same way my dad always came down on me. Maybe today things might be different for him. For them.
“Didn’t you ever make bad choices, Daddy?” I fold my arms and take a long gulp of my iced tea.
“No,” he growls.
I roll my eyes. “Come on. Don’t you believe in second chances? Shouldn’t he get one, too? He doesn’t beat people up for a living anymore. He has a perfectly legitimate job running a construction site.”
Dad snorts. “Oh, because that’s not a front for anything illegal.”
“He’s working as a foreman, Daddy. He’s responsible for getting the building completed. Period.”
“That’s what he tells you.”
“Yeah, but I believe him now. I have faith in him. He’s a good guy, Daddy. I know you were never wild about him, but he’s changed. He’s not the same guy you remember from when we were younger.”
“People like Max never change. It’s in their DNA. They don’t know anything different, and they can’t just walk away from that. It’s too much a part of them. They grow up living in that world, a world you know nothing about. A world I’ve always tried to protect you from, even though you and Shaye were always close.” He rubs a hand over his head. “I always knew there was a risk of you picking up with Max, but I figured as you went your own way…college, your career…you’d have just found someone better suited to you. I never figured you’d go backward.”
What he doesn’t know is I never really moved forward, but we don’t need to unpack that right now. I tap my fingernails on the side of my glass and glance at the clock again. “It’s not like I’ve never dated other guys, Dad. I just…” I shrug. “I just haven’t really connected with them in the same way. I know you don’t understand, but it’s different this time. He’s different.”
Dad groans and throws his hands into the air. “What about that doctor from the benefit the other night? He couldn’t keep his eyes off of you! Would it be so bad to give that guy a chance? A nice guy with a career and a head on his shoulders who clearly is interested in you? Don’t you think you should date and see what’s out there before you go down this rabbit hole with Max again? You’ve held a candle for that kid for a long time, Sloane. I’ve seen it firsthand. But lucky for me, he always managed to mess things up. What makes you think he won’t do the same thing this time? Why are you putting so much trust in him? He’s hurt you more times than I can count. He doesn’t deserve you!”
I sit down across from him and place a hand over his. “Daddy, I know you don’t approve, but I love him.”
All of the color drains from my father’s face and he closes his eyes. “Your mother would be devastated.”
“Are you seriously pulling the Mom card on me?” I roll my eyes. “Don’t you think she’d be happy because I’m happy?”
“Are you happy, Sloane? Because all I’ve seen so far today are frown lines on your face. No smiles. A lot of pacing, a lot of staring at the clock. Am I supposed to read all of that as happiness?”
“Daddy, it’s complicated.” I lean forward, my head in my hands. “Besides, I’m just worried about Jules, especially after that cop showed up this morning. That’s what I’ve been focused on. Not Max.” The partial lie slips out easily enough. I’m nervous for my friend, but yes, I’m freaking out about Max, especially knowing what he told me last night.
Be careful what you wish for…
I’d wanted him to be honest with me. Ha! Hindsight is always 20-20.
I get up and put the oven on broil. A quick glance at my phone confirms no missed calls or text messages have come in since the last time I willed it to come alive and reach out to me with something. Anything. It’s been two hours, and I haven’t heard anything back from Steven or Max.
My stomach flips, just as it’s been doing since I realized that there are many reasons why Max may not have called me back, chilling reasons that I don’t even want to acknowledge because they scare the crap out of me. Not that I can tell any of this to my father. He’d have a coronary.
Last night, Max let me into a part of his life I’d never really known. Sure, I had my suspicions, but he made it real. Very freaking real. There are threats out there, lurking and ready to strike at any time. If he doesn’t text or call, I will always panic that one of those threats became a reality as soon as he left my bed.
And my dad…well, he’s very aware of those threats and the danger they pose.
As I prepare the grilled cheese sandwiches, a million scenarios race through my mind, all of them giving me heart palpitations. Someone killed Mr. Oriani. Someone killed Max. Someone killed both of them.
Shaye is away with her mom so who would even let me know if something happened?
I look down at the bread I’m buttering, or rather the bread I butchered with the knife as my panic rises. Jesus, am I always going to be such a basket case? Is this what I signed up for when I gave my heart to Max Oriani?
And is Steven ever going to call with the last name I need?
