AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Except for your time.”
He grimaced. It was quick, but I saw it.
Good.
He deserved to feel like the absentee father he was. I didn’t hide the concerned expression in my empathetic stare. Deciding what I was going to reply, I held back my temper, fully aware I wouldn’t get far if I kept criticizing him.
“I know you think you’re doing what’s best for them. Truly, I do. But I grew up with a father who threw money at the problem every chance he could get. I’m not saying you’re doing that, but in a way you are.”
“Do they not have a roof over their heads? Or food on the table?”
“Stop being defensive and actually listen to what I’m saying to you, Mr. Grump. Your kids need you, and the worst part is you know I’m right.”
Our eyes locked.
Fusing together.
Tethering as one.
An intensity I couldn’t begin to put into words.
To explain.
To rationalize.
To make any sense of at all.
“At the end of the day, you can do what you want, Mr. Hawkins, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I was the first to shake off the effect he always had on me, walking over to the stove as I thought our conversation was over. I got my point across. When I once again felt him standing behind my back, I froze.
“So we’re back to Mr. Hawkins?”
“Yes. That’s your name. You’re my employer. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Evie. We’re so much more than that.”
“Can you please stop touching me? It’s very inappropriate. My boyfriend wouldn’t—”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about your make-believe boyfriend.”
“Would you like for me to call him?”
“Here, I’ll make it easy for you.” He lifted up his phone, quickly snapping a photo of us. “Text him this.”
The picture sent me over the edge with the compromising position we were suddenly in. It was enough for me to shove him away.
He chuckled, stepping back.
I watched him leave, realizing I was living with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I couldn’t tell what mood he’d be in the next time I saw him. What was worse was that it had always been that way. Caleb was the king of hiding his emotions. I’d spent years trying to analyze what I was to him until he got married and completely shut me out of his life.
I never thought I’d be in a situation where I’d be taking care of his kids. At one point in our tumultuous relationship, I was hopeful he’d eventually come around and we’d tell my brother the truth about us.
Fuck the consequences.
When it didn’t happen, and he carelessly moved on, I was heartbroken for years, wracking my brain over how he ended up with my roommate in the first place.
“Ugh!” I exasperated in a frustrated breath.
