Page 5 of Keeping Kyler
James gently takes my elbow, pulling me off to the side. “Are you sure, sweetheart? You don’t have to do this, or even do this now. We can arrange a proper time for you two to meet.”
I hold my chin up. “I’m sure.” I nod. “Could we … I mean, would it be okay to talk in the house?”
He reels me into a hug. “Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you need.”
I step out of his embrace. “Thank you.” I turn to Adam. “We can talk in the house, if you like?”
“Great. Would you like to ride with me?” Adam asks.
I shuffle anxiously on my feet. “I’ll go with Kal and meet you up there.”
“I’m only allowing this because it’s what Faye wants,” James remarks, in a cold, harsh tone I’ve rarely heard him use. “But if you put one foot out of line, if you do anything to hurt her, I’ll have you on your ass and out in the cold in a heartbeat.”
“She’s my daughter. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. I just want the chance to get to know her.” Sincerity underlines his tone, and I assume that’s why James lets it drop.
The three cars maneuver up the driveway, one after the other. Kal keeps a grip on my hand the whole way. He parks the car alongside Adam’s and kills the engine. “You want me with you?”
“Yeah. That okay?” I chew on the inside of my cheek.
“Of course. I’m always here for you. You know that.”
I twist in my seat, the leather squelching with the movement. “What about Ky? Maybe you should go to Harvard and find out the score.”
“That can wait. I’m not leaving you, and that’s what Ky would want. Besides, I doubt I’ll get past Dad a second time tonight.”
Alex opens the front door with a startled expression. She’s dressed in pajamas and a dressing gown, and she’s clutching an obligatory glass of wine in one hand. Adam frowns. “What’s going on?” she asks. “James?”
“Get back in the house, Alex,” he snaps. “I’ve got this.”
“Don’t tell me what to do in my own house!” she hisses.
“I guess the divorce is definitely back on,” Kal mumbles unhappily.
Alex walks out, greeting Adam with an outstretched hand. “Alexandra Kennedy.”
“Adam Ryan.” My father shakes her hand, offering her a small smile.
“You’re Faye’s father.” Alex gives him the once-over. “She has your smile.”
My legs have turned to jelly, and I lean against Kal.
“Let’s take this inside,” James suggests from the open doorway, ushering us indoors.
We retreat to the main living room, and Alex goes to the kitchen to make Adam some coffee. James fixes himself a whiskey while the rest of us take seats. “Would you like one, Faye?” he asks.
“She’s seventeen,” Adam pipes up before I’ve had time to reply. “You shouldn’t be offering her whiskey.”
“Don’t.” My gaze vaults between both of them. “Let’s not turn this into an argument. God knows I’ve had enough of them to last a lifetime lately.”
Adam’s disapproving frown deepens, but he doesn’t say anything.
James plants a gentle hand on my shoulder. “How about a coffee then? I’ll ask Alex to fix another one for you.”
I clasp his hand as I smile gratefully at him. “That’d be great, thank you.”
Tension is palpable in the room as he walks toward the kitchen. I fidget with my hands in my lap, sitting stiffly on the couch beside my cousin. I lift my head and eyeball Adam. “When did you find out about me?”
“Seven weeks ago.” He cricks his neck from side to side. “I received a letter from your mother, completely out of the blue.” His eyes soften. “I’m sorry for your loss, and I can’t imagine how difficult these last few months must have been. You must miss home.”
