Page 49 of Keeping Kyler
Ishe for real?I’m almost eighteen for cripes sake. “No. I was going out with a guy back home for a couple of years. It was pretty serious, or at least it was at the time.”
“Is it serious with Kyler?”
What’s with the twenty questions?I feel like I’m being interviewed for a job. “Yes. I’m crazy about him.”
The waitress appears with our food, and there’s an uncomfortable silence while we wait for her to leave. I tuck in straightaway, hoping to deflect any more embarrassing questions.
Adam watches me quietly, and I force food down my throat, hugely self-conscious. After a couple minutes, I put my knife and fork down and stare at him. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
He wipes his hands down the front of his trousers. “I’ve been reading the media reports these last few weeks, and I’ve got to be honest, Faye, I’m concerned about you living with the Kennedys.”
James was right.
“You shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers,” I hiss, stabbing my eggs like they’ve done some injustice to me.
“I understand that, but when you peel back the layers, the fundamentals of what’s being reported are the things that are causing me concern.”
I chew my food slowly, counting to ten in my head. “They are not bad people. They’ve just made some bad mistakes. None of us are perfect.”
“I know we don’t know each other that well, and it will take time for you to trust me, but if you came and lived with me, even on a trial basis, it would give us the opportunity to get to know one another, and I’d feel more comfortable knowing you were safe.”
My fork clatters to the table. “Are you implying that I’m not safe with the Kennedys?”
He holds up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “You have to see it from my point of view. You were almost killed under your uncle’s watch, one of your cousins was recently accused of rape, and your other cousin—yourboyfriend—is being investigated for murder. I don’t want my daughter getting caught up in all that.”
I stand up, slamming my chair back with a screech. “None of them have done anything wrong!” I snap, anger getting the better of me. “You’ve been my dad for all of ten seconds, and that doesn’t give you the right to show up here and try to tell me what to do! And how do I even know you are my dad?! All I have is my mother’s word, and that doesn’t count for much these days.” I pull my phone out of my pocket. “This was a mistake. I knew I shouldn’t have come. I asked you for time and you ignored my wishes. I’m leaving, and I’d like you to respect that.”
I don’t even wait for a reply. I just storm out of the place, uncaring that every pair of eyes is glued to my retreating back. I’m shaking as I step out onto the footpath.
“Faye, wait, please. I’m sorry.” Adam plants himself in front of me. “Don’t leave. I was out of line, and, you’re right, I shouldn’t be pushing you. I’m just worried about you.”
“You haven’t earned that right!” I holler.
He shakes his head. “I disagree. I don’t need to earn the right to worry about my own daughter. I’ve only just found out about you, and we’ve already lost so much time!” His eyes glisten. “I want to get to know you, but I’m scared something is going to happen to you before I even get that chance.” He stops, drawing an elongated breath. “Is there a right way to do this? How does one form a relationship from scratch with your almost grownup daughter? A daughter you didn’t know existed until recently?” Ever so gently, he pulls me aside as a couple emerges from the café doing their best to look like they’re not listening.
“I just want a chance to get to know you,” he says more quietly. “A chance to learn to love you like I love my other children. A chance for you to become a part of my family. Is that so bad?”
A blast of cold air hits me full on, and I shiver without my jacket.
He moves in front of me. “Look, it’s freezing out here. Can we go back inside and talk? I promise I’ll listen to what you have to say.”
His honest eyes are pleading, and my anger is fading. “Okay, on one condition. That you accept I am happy living with the Kennedys and you stop criticizing them. James gave me a home when I had nowhere to go, and I’ve grown close to him and my cousins. They are far from perfect, but they’remyfar from perfect.”
“I don’t want to be an overbearing father or the type of man that forces anyone to do anything against their will, so I’ll drop it, for now, ifyoucan promise me one thing.”
“Shoot.”
“If you change your mind about living with them that you tell me instantly. That you genuinely reconsider my offer then.”
I shove my icy hands in my jeans pockets. “I can agree to that.”
He smiles, cautiously placing a hand on my lower back. “Okay, let’s go in and eat our breakfast, assuming it’s not cold by now.”
The waitress brings us fresh plates, and the awkward tension has been eliminated. We chat more casually as we eat this time. When my belly is full, I push my plate away and groan. Adam smiles, summoning the waitress over with a hand gesture and holding his cup out for a refill.
I decline, mulling over a few things in my mind. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the last time. About my, um, half-brothers and half-sister. Do they know about me?”
He puts his cup down. “Yes. I told them earlier on in the week. My ex-wife too.”
