Page 187 of Whistle

Yeah, he’d stayed in the room. He was like a leech. Impossible to get rid of.

“But it’s not just sex. I’m in love with him. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, ladybug, but I’m sure you can imagine how complicated this is for me. Westbrook regulations forbid any sort of relationship between staff and students. He’s here on reparation for bad choices in California. You’re dating his ex-friend.”

“We’re not ex-friends. We’re just friends,” Rush barked.

“Really?” Bodhi said.

My heart sort of shrank a little upon hearing his wistful tone. Rush’s friendship meant so much to him, and if Rush fucked this up, then I’d fuck up his?—

“Of course, Bodhi,” Rush replied, then turned his dark gaze on me. “He’s been through a hell of a lot, and you’re taking advantage of him.”

I drew back as though he’d slapped me. “That’s rich coming from you,” I said, voice low and quiet.

His eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“I would think you’d know it isn’t always what it seems. But I guess you can accept the benefit of the doubt when someone gives it to you, but you can’t offer it to anyone else.”

Rush took a threatening step forward, but my daughter’s palm slapped the center of his chest. “Stop it.”

Rush backed down, and Landry’s green eyes came back to me. “You’re in love with him?” She glanced at the man beside me. “With Bodhi.”

“Yes. I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I said, peeking at him as he drank his trauma latte like a good boy. “But he’s the best thing that’s happened to me since… well, you.”

Rush made a rude sound.

“I’ve never in my whole life seen you date anyone. Be in love with anyone,” she said.

“Because I haven’t,” I said simply.

“Why not?”

“It’s a long story that I would like to tell you, but maybe not right now. The abridged version is because the last person I truly loved died.”

Her shoulders slumped, and a stricken whine left her throat. “Oh my God, Dad.”

I pushed on, not wanting her pity. “I met your mom very shortly after. I was drunk and grieving. She got pregnant.”

Landry lowered herself onto the edge of the bed, and Rush moved to crouch in front of her. Her hands were swallowed when he folded them inside his.

“I never once regretted you. Hell, from the minute I knew about you, it gave me a reason to live. I meant what I said. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. But I couldn’t marry your mom, ladybug. The person I loved was dead. I was broken…”

Landry launched herself at me, throwing her arms around my shoulders and hugging me tight. Her little sniffle made my heart clench, and I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to keep that away from you. A parent’s trauma is not a child’s responsibility, and you’re my baby girl.”

“It’s okay, Dad. I understand.”

I wasn’t sure she could, but I appreciated her effort and the chance to explain as much as I could. “You can ask me whatever you want. Anything. I’ll answer it.”

Landry turned her stare to Bodhi. The coffee lowered from his lips, and he held it in front of him like a shield. Her head cocked to the side. “Do you love my father?”

“I said you could ask me anything.”

She shrugged. “I want to ask him.”

“Yes,” Bodhi answered without hesitation.

“Why?”

Bodhi stiffened.

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