Page 96 of Left In The Dark

My heart does something weird in my chest and I kiss the corner of his mouth. “Maybe it’ll have to come to that, but maybe it won’t. We’ll figure it out either way.”

“We’ve been figuring it out so far,” he says, sounding more positive than before.

“We have.” I move to kiss him properly this time, freezing when someone bangs on the door.

“I know you’re in there, you little shit. Hayden told me what you did and I saw the bruises.”

I look back at the door and then Blake, placing my finger in front of my mouth, and his chest moves at a rapid pace. We stay quiet, and right when I think my dad isn’t going to keep hanging around, he bangs again. “I know you can hear me. If you don’t get out here, I’ll find a way to come in. After all, this is still my fucking house.”

Blake looks to the room and I nod, gesturing for him to lock himself in there. He looks unsure at first, but when the door shakes again, he jumps up, making a beeline for the partly open door. I get to my feet as soon as I hear the lock click and turn the TV off, standing by the window and watching my dad as he talks to himself on my porch.

“Logan?” he says, looking right at me through the small gap between the curtain and window. “Is that you? There’s no need to drag this out any more than you already have.”

“Leave, or I’ll call and say you’re tresspassing.”

“On my land?”

“Mom has put a restraining order on you, and you aren’t supposed to be anywhere she might be. And this is her land too.”

“She isn’t home, so that shouldn’t matter.”

“She lives here and her name is on the deed. So get back in your truck or else I’ll make that call.”

“You’re up to something in there, aren’t you? Why is the barn still locked? What are you hiding?”

“What is this really about? Why are you here? It doesn’t sound like it’s because of Hayden anymore.”

“So I’m right, aren’t I?”

“I’m going to count to ten, and I swear if you don’t get your ass back in that truck, I’m—”

“You’re going to what? Hit me and drag me there yourself? Or are you going to go after Hayden again?” His tone is spiteful.

I huff a laugh. “I haven’t seen Hayden in weeks. I have way better things to do than waste my time on him.”

“You’re lying. It’s all you do is lie. You lied about me to your mom and you lied about Hayden making those flyers. He said you made them for attention and you hacked his account. I’ll believe him over you any day.”

“And that’s part of the problem, isn’t it Tyler.”

“I’ll be back,” he says, slapping his fist on one of the shutters. “I’m going to find out what shady shit you’ve been doing while you’re out here by yourself. Don’t think I won’t. I heard your mom doesn’t even live here anymore, and soon neither will you.” His words hang in the air as he turns around, stumbling to his truck.

He’s drunk. Go figure. I reach for my phone, contacting a buddy who works with me at the station, and he answers on the second ring.

“Hey, man. What’s up? Your dad harassing your mom again?”

“He stopped by the house just now looking for her,” I lie. “And he’s drunk off his ass too. Got in his truck and drove off like that.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. You out patrolling today? Thought maybe you could watch out for a red Ford pickup. He’s probably heading to BJs to drink some more.”

“Yeah, I gotchu.” No one hates people drinking and driving more than Hector. “Text me his plate numbers so I can make sure it’s him, and I’ll let you know if I see anything.”

“Will do. Thanks, man.”

“Sure thing. Enjoy your weekend off. Go have fun for once. Ever since you graduated from the academy you’ve been working your ass off.”

I let out a short laugh. “I’ll try.”