Hard Edge - Tess Oliver Page 0,63

chest, on my whole body.

My phone rang, startling me from my gloomy thoughts. It was Jeremy, the last person I wanted to talk to, but I needed to tie up the frayed ends of my life soon. “Hello.”

“Kenna, it’s Jeremy.”

I nearly laughed into the phone at his business tone. I replied with the same formality. “Yes. How are you?”

“I’m fine. I have someone interested in moving into the apartment. I was just wondering when you could have your things out.”

I could have easily ripped into a rant about the fact that I’d been paying for half the apartment too, even though it had been way past my budget. But I wasn’t in the mood to get into it with him, especially because when Jeremy argued, the lawyer side of him took over. It wasn’t worth the stress.

“I’ll buy my ticket today and head back in the next few days. You’ll have to give me some time to find a place to stay.”

“Good luck with that,” he said with a snort. “You should have been doing that already. In the meantime, I’ve heard any affordable places near the school have all been snapped up.”

“Then I’ll buy a tent for Central Park,” I shot back, suddenly tired of the entire phone call. “You don’t have to worry about it or me.”

“I won’t. And don’t forget the ring.”

“Right. The ring.” I hung up and tossed my phone on the bed. He had every right to be angry and derisive. I deserved it. Although it seemed he’d gotten over the break up and me extremely fast. For the longest time, I’d stayed with him, thinking my feelings might change and that he would be badly hurt if I left. But I’d been silly. Jeremy had recovered quickly and without even a backward glance. At least that part of the cloud burst had gone off without too much drama.

I would fly back to New York and clear out my things quickly so Jeremy could get on with his life. I needed to do the same. I just wasn’t sure which direction I was heading anymore. In fact, it seemed I was more lost than ever. Only now, in the midst of it all, my heart had been shattered. That had been my fault too. I’d taken a chance and strayed from my straight, clear path. It had taken me straight into heartbreak.

Dad knocked on my door and poked his head inside. “Kenny? Want to come watch a scary movie? One of those really creepy head rolling, chainsaw buzzing, dum-dums going in dark rooms type of flicks.”

“Huh? Chainsaw buzzing and head rolling, you say?”

He stepped into the room wearing one of Mom’s many aprons. I lifted a brow and looked pointedly at the red checkered fabric.

He glanced down and shook his head. “Jeez, forgot she tied this damn thing on me.” He reached back and struggled with the knot. “Christ, that woman ties apron knots like a sailor. Kenny, give me a hand.” He walked over and turned around.

I reached up and started working on Mom’s iron knot.

Dad spoke toward the opposite wall, but I heard every heartfelt word. “Kenny, I don’t always know or understand everything that’s going on in your life, especially when it comes to relationships, but I just want to say that I like Caden. Always have. And in the end, it’s all about being happy.”

I untied the knot. He slipped the apron off his shoulders, balled it up in his hands and turned around. “Like me. I’m living my life with a woman who dresses me in aprons and makes me taste truffles to the point that my doctor is now scowling at me when he reads my blood tests.”

My eyes rounded. “Dad, tell her you need to go easy on the candy. And maybe she could find a more stylish man’s apron. Like one with the Superman logo on the front.” I reached up and took hold of his hand. “At least you’ve always been my Superman, Dad. And I promise, I will work toward being happy. Like you and Mom.”

I looked down at the Scooby toy. “I care deeply for Caden, but I found out yesterday that Grady was in love with me.”

“Yes.” Dad nodded and then squinted at me. “You didn’t know?”

“How the heck did everyone know this except me?”

Dad sat on the bed next to me. “Guess the poor kid worked hard to keep it from you. But it was pretty obvious. So that’s