Page 135 of Caught from Behind

“Ella,” my dad and I correct together.

The fucker just opens his mouth and I can tell by the coldness in his eyes that what he’s going to say next will be unforgivable and will probably end up with me getting assault charges.

Before he gets that far, Knox steps in. “Let’s go talk outside, Dad?—”

“No.”

But it’s not from their dad.

The word is from Ella.

She steps in front of me, takes Knox’s hand. “He’s not our dad.” Then to the man who fathered her. “What you did was inexcusable. But what you continue to do means that I won’t ever have a relationship with you. Not today. Not in a year. Not fucking ever.”

For a long moment, no one moves.

But then my dad, who I thought was a lost cause, who I thought couldn’t change, but who has, I realize. Who’s nothing like the asshole who’s spent years hurting Ella and Knox.

Instead, he’s become someone I want in my life again.

And he steps up again, moving to Ella’s dad.

“It’s time for you to leave.”

And maybe it’s old, grumpy man camaraderie or maybe we’ve all just said it enough times that it finally sinks through the asshole’s thick, dumb skull.

Ella’s dad turns on his heel and stomps out of the salon.

The door slams behind him hard enough to rattle the glass.

Knox follows him, and so does my dad, nodding to me before he steps out as though to say, You watch that one. I’ll watch this one.

He’s different. Better. Changed.

The door closes softly behind my dad.

Ella steps away from me, pushing her hair out of her face and exhaling.

“Chérie.”

But she only spares me a quick look before heading for her station. “I’ll just grab my stuff and get you back to the rink. I know you and Knox were looking forward to the extra time?—”

“Ella.”

She glances at her watch, winces. “Or not,” she says. “I think by the time you get back, the slot will be over and?—”

“Ella.”

She stops, brows drawn together. “What?”

“Are you okay?”

Her frown deepens. “Um, yes?”

“Baby,” I say, taking a step toward her then stopping, completely thrown. “Last time you saw your dad, you were inconsolable for days, and that was just from a short conversation. This was…” I trail off, waving my hand, unable to know what the fuck to say.

A shit show? Yup.

Fucked up? Also that.

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