Trapped by Them novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: A Plain Tuesday

They arrived together at nine, in Lachlan's car, in coats.

My father opened the door of the lake house before they reached the steps.

"Sit," he said. "Both of you."

He had cooked a fish.

The table in the little kitchen was set for four, with the good plates.

He put me in the middle, Lachlan on my left and Tobias on my right, and himself at the head.

Nobody picked up a fork.

"I'm going to say three things," my father said. "Then we eat."

"Yes, sir," Tobias said.

"Lachlan first."

Lachlan sat very straight.

"Thirty years, and you came to me on that dock and asked me a question."

My father's voice was even.

"I answered it like a coward who'd rather not know. I told Larissa today. I'm telling you. I owe you an apology for what I said."

Lachlan opened his mouth.

"I'm not finished. It doesn't mean I'm happy."

"I wouldn't expect it."

"Good."

My father turned his head.

"Tobias."

"Sir."

"You've called me sir since the wedding. You can stop."

He cleared his throat.

"Dad is fine, if you can manage it. I never asked."

Tobias's eyes went bright.

"I'll try," he said, and his voice cracked on it.

Under the table, Lachlan's knee settled against my left leg, and Tobias's hand found my right.

I did not move either of them.

My father looked at the table for a long second.

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