Page 27 of The Secrets Behind Us

“I could use someone at the shop?” My dad has a coy look on his face, almost like he doesn't want to seem too excited for me to shoot him down.

I swing my head toward him, my eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about getting someone who could help manage the shop. I want to spend more time with your mother." He smiles at my mom as he grabs her hand and kisses her knuckles.

He’s always been a great dad; this is something I can give him. I can show him how much he means to me, and that I appreciate him.

“I’ll do it, Dad.”

He looks at me with narrowed eyebrows, as if he’s trying to read my mind or see if I'm lying. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think it's a great idea for you to spend more time with mom. As you know I managed a doctor's office in California. I mean, who else in Rose Valley would be as qualified as me."

Especially now that I have Dexter back, I know how things can change fast, and I would never want to stand in the way of my mom and dad being together. If anyone deserves it, it's them. They've worked so hard since we were kids, now it's our turn to take care of them.

My dad softly smiles at me, “Well if you're sure, I won't turn you down. Why don’t you come by on Monday and you can start then?”

“You got it. Thanks, Daddy.”

Dexter’s phone rings, he pulls it out of his pocket and stares at the number on the screen with his mouth turned down. Who could it be? He leans over to me and presses his lips to my ear. “I have to get this. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Before I can utter a word, he leaves and heads outside. I take note to remember to ask him about it. And I can't help but wonder once again, who could be calling him?

I push back the never-ending questions that try to force themselves to the front of my mind and take in my family, enjoying their company.

Dexter comes back after a few minutes and rejoins all of us, not giving anything away. I open my mouth to ask who it was, but he shakes his head and mouths 'later.'

“Are you coming back to the gym to train clients tomorrow?" Mateo asks Dexter as he stabs at his steak.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. I'll only be able to stand and give directions because of the ribs." Mateo nods but it makes me bristle a bit. I'm not sure he's ready for that amount of physical activity.

I stand up and start to collect the empty dishes. "Oh, honey, you don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. You cooked, Mom. I'll clean."

Dexter stands up next to me, "I'll help. You rest, Judy."

"Thank you. It's good to have you back where you belong," she says as she beams at both of us. It makes my chest fill with warmth. After everything that has happened, it feels like she's talking about both of us.

Dexter and I finish collecting the dishes and head toward the kitchen. I start to rinse the dishes as he stands next to me, loading them in the dishwasher as I hand them to him. After a minute of doing this in silence, I gain my courage.

"So, who was that on the phone?" I ask as nonchalantly as possible, not taking my eyes off the plate in my hand.

Shrugging, he answers calmly. "It was Zeev. He's the leader of the Wolves."

"What did he want?" I ask trying to keep my voice even.

"He wants me to fight for him, but I declined."

"Why did you decline?"

"Because my dad's involved with him, and I don't want anything to do with him."

I stop washing my dish and place it on the drying rack and turn toward him. "Will you fight anywhere else?

"No," he decisively says.

I let out a deep breath of relief. Thank God. I was not prepared to be a fighter's partner. It's too hard to watch him get hit and be hurt.

---