Page 45 of Blood

CHAPTER TWENTY

Kaleb

Well, that didn’t go as planned.

I run a hand through my blond hair as I watch my girl storm off, grateful when Shelby all but wrestles the car keys out of Sam’s hand.

Angry Samantha, plus a car never equals a good idea.

I really did fuck up with her driving lessons.

My heart shreds when I see her shoulders shake the minute she climbs into the car. Body-wrenching sobs.

How the fuck am I going to fix this?She’ll get used to it.

Waiting to see her car pull off the lot safely, I hear my name being called somewhere behind me.

“Kaleb. I thought that was you.”

Dad?

Turning, I greet him with a smile that even I think looks fake. “Hey.”

He joins me in front of the diner.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head.

“You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”

This time, my smile is genuine. “I know.”

But I won’t. I enjoy chasing and killing prostitutes, oh and I fucked your daughter are really things you never bring up. Ever.

Instead, I motion to the building behind us. “You here to eat?”

“Actually, I was looking for you. I asked Pauline to call me the minute you got back.”

Does he know?No, he’d have beaten my ass by now if he did.

“Oh?”

“Listen, kiddo . . .” He looks around uncomfortably, running a hand through his graying hair. “I meant what I said. You can tell me anything.”

Where is this going?

“Walk me to my car?” he asks but starts moving before I can answer.

“Dad,” I urge as we get farther away from the diner, “you’re freaking me out.”

He stops short.

“I know, Kaleb.”

My heart stops.

“Dad . . .” What the fuck am I supposed to say? I love her?