Sawyer (Alluring Indulgence #7)(85)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“Just tell me this. Is my father okay?”

“He’s fine,” Tim said with a sigh. “He’s workin’, I’m sure.”

“I’m assumin’ Sawyer’s not in jail, either?”

Tim shook his head, confirming her suspicion.

“So why the dramatics?” she asked. The relief of knowing her father was okay still didn’t do much to settle her nerves.

“Because you wouldn’t talk to me otherwise.”

“I’m not sure this was the right way to handle it though,” she muttered.

“Probably not, but at least you’ll have to hear me out.”

“And if I don’t?” she retorted angrily.

“Then I’ll wait until you’re ready to listen. I’ve got all night.” When Tim reached for her hand, Kennedy pulled away, glaring at him. He pretended not to notice, keeping his eyes on the road, but she saw the frown that marred his usually complacent countenance.

Kennedy sat quietly for the next few minutes, trying to map out a plan. She felt in her pocket for her phone. She’d felt it vibrate several times, so she knew it was on. She hoped that because she didn’t answer it, Tim wouldn’t bother to try to take it from her. He wasn’t a bad guy, she knew that much. Whatever was going on with him had pushed him to drastic measures. And though she didn’t agree with his execution, she could understand that he wanted to talk.

He was a talker, always had been. He thought that if they could sit and chat, they could work through anything. Unfortunately, when it came to their relationship, it hadn’t worked that way.

And she didn’t see it playing out any differently today.

Fifteen minutes later, they were pulling into an alcove by the lake, a place they’d gone several times when they were dating. She wasn’t surprised in the least.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” she asked when he put the car in park and sat silently as he stared out the window.

A few long, painful minutes passed by before Tim shifted in his seat so that he was looking directly at her and Kennedy was tempted to burrow into the floorboard just so she didn’t have to look in his eyes. For such a quiet, calm man, there was an eerie desperation in his eyes. Something that she couldn’t decipher.

When he reached for her again, Kennedy knew which direction this was going to go and she wasn’t at all happy about it.

Not moving, Kennedy allowed Tim to take her hands in his. His thumb grazed the backs of her knuckles gently. The urge to pull away was still great, but she resisted, hoping that if they could get through this conversation, he’d let her go.

“Tim, what are you doing?” she asked, knowing damn well what he was doing but hoping he wasn’t going to go through with it.

He didn’t answer her, instead, released one of her hands and reached for her head as he leaned forward. Knowing he was about to kiss her, Kennedy put her hand up between their faces and when his nose touched her palm, she pushed him back.

“Not gonna happen,” she told him.

“Just one kiss, Kennedy. For old times’ sake. I just want you to remember how good it can be.”

Kennedy shook her head. “Tim . . .” She wasn’t sure what to say to him, but she definitely didn’t want to kiss him. Hurting his feelings wasn’t exactly in her plan either, especially if he was acting like a crazy man with the whole abduction thing and all.

He finally got the picture and withdrew, leaning back in his seat and once more looking out the window toward the lake as he asked, “Are you seeing Sawyer Walker?”

Well, that was blunt, but she answered just as directly. “Yes.”

“Why?” he asked, his tone rough with anger.

“I’m not sure that’s a topic I’m comfortable discussing with you, Tim. I’m all for talkin’, but not about Sawyer.”

“Your father hates him, you know that?”

“No, he doesn’t,” Kennedy retorted, heatedly. They’d had a falling-out, but as far as she knew, no one else was aware of that. Unless of course her father had mentioned it, which she highly doubted.

“I heard them arguing, Kennedy.”

“When?”

“The night Sawyer got on his high horse and tried to take on half the town again. Somewhere along the way, he nominated himself as the gay police and he sticks his nose in even if it’s not warranted.”

“And why would my father care?” Kennedy asked, warning bells going off in her head.

“He and Mack have a thing, right?”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

“I saw them, Kennedy. I saw them together.”