Chapter 35 #2
“So we’ve been in enemy territory since day one?
Shit. Danny.” I walked out to the living room and glanced at Evelyn, still writing in her notebook.
There was no way I could tell her this now.
It changed nothing. It only made the threat seem that much closer.
“Well, Charles let his presence be known last night. He was in the house.”
“Conazo! Why didn’t you lead with that? I planned to drive to you anyways, but now I’m thinking I should catch a flight. No sense in hiding.”
“It’s all out in the open. My dad made sure of that last night before we found Charles’ little gift. He had the sheriff run a background check on her, and pulled out a laundry list of warrants for her father’s arrest. Guy has lost his mind. He wants Evelyn to leave.”
He blew out a breath. Danny and I had been friends for so long. He heard it all. This didn’t shock him.
“Don’t try to be a hero, Parker. These people are dangerous. Your house is still the safest place you can be. Check whether your system picked up anything unusual on the camera, and find out how he got in. I know you won’t let him catch you slipping a second time.”
“I plan to lay his ass out if I see him, so I guess you better get here fast.”
“Keep your cool, man. We don’t need you getting yourself in trouble. Any word from the department?”
“They’re suspending me while they investigate, last I heard. They’ll set a date once it’s complete.” This was probably the first time in years that I didn’t want to think about work. There was too much on my plate, too much at risk here to be distracted and bogged down by thoughts of my own future.
Danny and I talked for a bit more before hanging up. Once I was dressed, I grabbed my car keys off the kitchen island and headed for the door. Walking over to Evelyn, I kissed the side of her head.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I said, taking a seat beside her on the lounge chair.
“Good morning,” She replied, giving me a sweet smile. Her curls swayed as a breeze went by, and the large cardigan she wore was falling slightly off her shoulder. She looked free, and I wanted to keep her in that bubble for a little longer.
“I’m going to head out and meet with Janae to try to talk about last night. You going to be alright here alone for an hour or so? If not, I can tell her to come back to the house.”
She shook her head and leaned in, wrapping her arms around my neck before giving me a peck.
“I’ll be okay. Fix things with your sisters.
I think I’m going to take a walk around the garden, stick close to whoever is patrolling.
I saw your dad head out with the sheriff a few minutes ago.
I’ll try to steer clear of him until you get back. ”
“That’s probably for the best until I talk to him. Don’t worry, okay? Call me if you need me.”
Leaning forward, I meant to steal a quick kiss, but it quickly turned heated. We broke away, both breathless. She smiled shyly before ducking her head and dropping her arms from my shoulders. Turning her face towards me, I gave her a light kiss.
She blushed, and I was tempted to kiss her again. Instead I stood, giving her hand a final squeeze.
“I’ll see you later. Good luck.”
Yeah, I was going to need it.
The car ride to Paolo’s Cafe was a short one.
It was one of the most popular cafes in Oakland Ridge, apparently famous for its authentic cappuccinos and biscotti.
The place was bustling with people sitting at wooden cafe tables in metal multicolored chairs.
This place reminded me of something I might see in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
It was a hipster’s haven. I spotted Janae at a table nearest to the back of the cafe and made my way across the speckled linoleum floor.
Noticing me, she placed her phone down and shifted in her seat.
“Hey.”
Janae looked nervous. It kind of hurt my feelings knowing that she felt like she couldn’t trust me enough to tell me about what Dad was doing. If anyone could understand what she was going through, it was me.
“Are we strangers now? Come here.” She hurried from her seat, swinging her arms around me. I hugged her small frame. After a moment, her shoulders started to shake, and she began to cry. So we stayed like that until she settled.
When she was finished, we sat down, and Janae slid a wrapped sandwich in my direction as she sipped from her latte.
“I don’t know where to start,” she muttered, staring into the black ceramic mug.
“How about you tell me why you kept it a secret?”
“It wasn’t meant to be a secret. I signed the contract and thought eventually I’d get over it, make peace with my choice.
What was there to tell? Dad never got over you leaving.
He lost his heir and tried to use us to replace you.
It was like living in your shadow. There’s nothing you could’ve done to sway him.
He snatched back your inheritance the first chance he got.
Threatening Aja’s happiness was his way to get to me. ”
“Maybe I wouldn’t have been able to stop him, but at least I could’ve shared the weight of that pressure with you. I’m not happy that you had to give up your dream, but I am glad you didn’t have to struggle as I did.”
“Look how you turned out. Successful, making your own career path and in charge of your own life. Wasn’t it worth it?” She stared at me across the small table, waiting for me to answer. A few months ago, I would’ve said yes, but now I wasn’t so sure.
“I thought I knew the answer to that, but after last night, I’m not so sure. I spend most of my time at the firehouse. If it weren’t for Danny dragging me out places, I’d be alone.”
Janae picked at her French toast while I took a bite of my sandwich. We ate for a while before she spoke again.
“I auditioned for Juilliard and got accepted to their vocal arts program. When I told mom and dad, they congratulated me. The next day, Dad sat Aja and me down in his office to go over these agreements. He asked to speak to me alone and made it very clear what would happen if I didn’t agree.
” Clearing her throat, she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.
“I thought about running away, but I couldn’t leave Aja behind. ”
“I would’ve had your back.” Aja’s voice came from behind me.
On the way over, I texted her to meet me at Paolo’s. I didn’t mention I was meeting Janae here because I knew how they could be sometimes. It had taken way too long for the truth to come out. There was no way I was going to allow this sibling feud to grow and fester.
Janae looked from her to me. A flash of betrayal crossed her eyes, but they softened when Aja took the seat between us and repeated herself.
“I would’ve had your back. It hurts me that you didn’t think you could talk to me, your other half.
I would have never let you give up your dream school for me.
Do I love my job? Yes. But I could do this anywhere.
I promise, had I known Dad threatened you, I would not have pushed so hard for us to sign. ”
“Are you telling me I fast-tracked law school for nothing?” Janae groaned, throwing her head back.
Aja let out a laugh, wiping the tears from under her eyes. They turned to embrace each other, both muttering apologies through tears.
After they were through, they both excused themselves to the bathroom to freshen up. I checked my phone while I waited.
[Evelyn]: It’s William’s day off, he is going to take me to The Marquis to grab some things and straight back.
Text me when you get there. Miss me yet?
[Evelyn]: Since the moment you left…
“Would that be Evelyn who has you looking all goofy?” Aja teased as she returned to her seat with Janae in tow.
Tucking my phone in my pocket, I flicked her shoulder, causing her to bat my hand away, while Janae laughed at our antics.
“Speaking of Evelyn, formerly Willow, you have some explaining to do.” Janae tutted with an eyebrow raised.
They both sat back in their seats, giving me a look that said, “Spill it or else.”
“Someone dangerous from her past is trying to kill her. He threatened her in New York, and I wanted to help her. Oakland Ridge was the safest place I could think of. Dad said if I played by his rules, I could stay, and he’d provide extra security.
We didn’t tell anyone for her safety, not because I don’t trust you.
Turns out she’s not safe anymore. He’s here.
Danny is driving here to hopefully help catch this guy. ”
“What the hell, Parker?”
“What are you going to do?”
They asked at the same time.
“I don’t know. I don’t know,” I mumbled, scratching my neck. “Dad wants Evelyn out, and Danny won’t be here for another day, most likely. Once he gets here, we can make a plan to move.”
“Are you going to leave Oakland Ridge again?” Janae said, glancing at Aja.
“If we have to, yes.”
“Will you come back?” That question came from Aja, and there was more in her tone than curiosity.
This conversation was long overdue. Now that everything had come out in the open, and I had gone against our father, there was no reason to avoid coming back.
I’d seen enough. I used to fear that being in the same room as him would bring us to a place we couldn’t come back from.
I didn’t know what I knew now. Our relationship was a sinking ship, and I was happy to let it settle at the bottom of the ocean for good.
I had hurt my sisters for years because of this feud with my father. I was eighteen years old when I left, and their lives were just beginning at thirteen. Pictures, cards, and gifts didn’t make up for my absence.
Looking at the two of them, I felt ashamed.
“I know that I’ve hurt both of you. I let my differences with dad determine how I showed up for our family.
I blamed him for all of it. But it was my burden to carry as well.
I should’ve shown up for both of you, no matter what.
I can’t turn back time, but I can promise to do better.
You both are two of the most important people in my life, and it’s killing me to think you ever thought otherwise. I’m so sorry.”
“These past few weeks have been the most time we’ve spent with you in the last decade.”
“We don’t want to go back to the way things were before.” Janae chimed in.
The moment they were born, my whole world changed.
I gained the responsibility of taking care of them.
I walked them through the doors on their first day of elementary school.
I scared away their bullies, and I let them convince me to play tea party.
They were supposed to know and trust that I would always be there for them, and I hadn’t been.
I let myself foolishly believe that staying away from the very place that made me was me just protecting my peace.
I was wrong, so wrong.
I stood up and brought them into my arms, feeling a bit lighter after our discussion. They deserved better from me. I was going to make sure they felt my love and support as a big brother.