Page 13 of Whistle

“What do you want to do, son?”

“I should do nothing. That’s exactly what he did for me.”

My stomach clenched, but I respected that answer because people had every right to draw their boundaries and protect themselves. How else were we to survive? “All right, then.” I accepted it. “Go back to bed.”

His feet shuffled, but he stayed in place.

My stomach dipped, tongue sliding over my teeth. Unable to stay still, I went to the fridge and grabbed a bottled water to take a healthy swig. I’d rather it be beer, but I had to set a good example.

“Classes start next week,” he said.

I didn’t reply.

His phone lit up in his hand as he gazed at the screen. “I could be back before then.”

“You gonna call your parents?” I asked. They lived in Malibu and were richer than God. They treated Landry really well, and that was all that mattered to me.

Rush shook his head slowly. “It would be unfair to put them in the middle of this. I already put them through too much.”

“You can’t go to that crowbar hotel by yourself.”

“Crowbar hotel,” he repeated.

“I’m not having it. My swimmer…” I cleared my throat. “My future son-in-law deserves better.”

“Well, I’m sure as hell not bringing Landry.” He was absolute.

“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt because it’s the middle of the night and the call was a surprise and not declare you an absolute dingbat for implying I’d ever allow my daughter to go to some packed pokey in the middle of LA.”

He rolled his eyes.

I hoped he’d find his brain back there. Dingbat.

Hey, I only said I wouldn’t call him that out loud.

“I’ll book the flights.” I decided.

He gaped. “You’re going to come?”

“You aren’t going alone. Besides, I know how to handle unruly swimmers.”

“Bodhi doesn’t swim anymore. He dropped out of Pembrook after Brynne died,” Rush explained.

“You aren’t going alone.

“I can call my lawyer.”

“Probably a good idea.”

He eyed me. “You’re really going to come?”

“You really don’t want me to?”

He bit his lip, then nodded. “I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll book the tickets. We’ll leave first thing.”

“What about practice?”

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