Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“You're right, that was wrong of him to do,” I agree. Still can't wrap my head around it, but then again, I can't wrap my head around any of this. “And I'm going to talk to him about it. However, coming here and attacking him isn't going to change what happened. It isn't going to change anything!”
He rolls his eyes, snickering. “Oh, you'll talk to him.”
“What do you want me to say? Huh? You want me to pack up my things and come home with you? Is that it?”
“That is exactly what I want you to do.” As he speaks, he keeps shaking out his right hand. It's clear he's in pain, but I can't pretend to have any sympathy for him. Nobody made him do any of this.
“That's not going to happen, and I can't believe you would do this.” My chin quivers and tears blur my vision. “How could you?”
Thunder rumbles all around us, even shaking the ground, while he glares at me. “You're not serious, are you? You're not going to stay here, even after knowing what he did, are you?”
“I know for damn sure I'm not leaving with you after what you just did. Did you ever think what that would do to me? Do you ever actually think about me at all, and the impact your actions have on me? I know you're trying to do what you think is right, but this… this is… ” All I can do is shake my head in disbelief.
His face crumbles with despair. “How could you even ask that? You're all I think about. All of this is about you.”
“Are you sure it isn't about you, too? I told you that you were right already, that what he did was wrong, and I will talk to him about it, but that's not good enough for you. I will get to the bottom of this, but damn it, you don't get to come over here ranting and raving and beating him when I beg you to stop. And that's what bothers me the most, Dad. I begged you to stop, and you wouldn't listen to me. You don't care how much this hurts me. All you want is revenge.”
Maybe I'm finally starting to get through to him. His breathing slows, and some of the tension drains from his face. “He broke into my home and placed a camera in your bedroom. He deserved to get his ass kicked for that.”
“Did you know he took a bullet for me? Of course, you did. You were at the hospital, but who cares about that, right? Who cares that he's healing from a wound in the very place you had to kick him. Don't tell me that was accidental. He took a bullet to save my life, and all you could think to do was kick him right where you knew it would hurt the most.”
“You wouldn't have ever been kidnapped, or in a situation to be shot at, if it hadn't been for him!” He tosses his hands into the air while blurting out a laugh. “Nothing I say gets through to you anymore. He's completely destroyed you. I don't even know who you are anymore.”
“No, the problem is you never knew me at all.”
Ken backs away, shaking his head. “I shouldn't be here for this.” He's right; he shouldn't be. I'm tired of pretending anything about this is normal. I'm tired of trying to be polite, tired of trying to do the right thing just to keep the peace. I'm tired of trying to make everyone else happy. It's exhausting, and truly, the only person who loses is me. I'm an adult who's old enough to make my own choices.
“Can I remind you of something that happened not very long ago?” When all he does is lift his chin, I continue, “Remember when you called that landlord and told them I wouldn't be moving in? Remember that? Remember when you made that decision for me? When you made a fool out of me without even considering my feelings? Remember when you thought you knew so much better than I did?”
“Don't even try to compare me to him. There's no way you actually think that what I did came anywhere close to what he's done.”
“Oh no, but it is. You only did that because you wanted to protect me and keep me safe. I get it. I don't have to agree with it, but I can at least understand where you were coming from.”
“What's your point?”
“My point is, he's just like you. Maybe, just maybe, that's why you hate him so much.”
“Don't try to put us in the same box,” he warns, holding up a hand. “I'm nothing like that man. You don't get to twist around the past until it looks the way you want it to look. You know damn well what I've had against him for all these years.”