Betrayed by My Childhood Love novel · Chapter 14 of 32

Chapter 14: The Call

"Yes," I said. "I was twelve."

I heard him breathe out.

"Where?"

"In Gran's garage. At the workbench. In green spiral notebooks from Walgreens."

"And the boy took them."

"Lyndon took them. He told Gran I'd sent him."

"Did Annika know where they came from?"

I looked at the garage door.

"She asked him to get them," I said. "He told me so himself, in front of thirty people."

My father was quiet so long I checked whether the call had dropped.

"Your mother doesn't know I'm calling," he said.

"Okay."

"The company's name is on that banner. I signed the check myself. I was told it was Annika's design."

"It isn't."

"I understand that's what you're saying."

Something cold went down my back.

"It's not what I'm saying. It's what happened. There's a photo with a date on it, and an entry form in my handwriting."

"I've seen copies."

"Then why are you asking me?"

He paused.

"Because I wanted to hear you say it."

I waited for the rest of it.

For "I'm sorry."

For "I should have stopped your mother on the lawn."

Nothing came.

"I'll look into it," he said.

Then he said goodnight, and hung up.

I stood in the yard with the phone in my hand.

I didn't hear Waylon come out until he was beside me.

"Was that him?"

"Yes."

"What did he want?"

"To know if I was lying."

Waylon's jaw went tight.

"And you answered him."

"He asked."

"Esme, he hasn't called you in a year and a half. He watched your mother throw you out. He's paying for Annika to fly your engine right now, tonight, while you stand in the dark answering his questions."

"I know."

"Then why do you keep picking up the phone?"

I turned around.

"Because he's my father."

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