Page 122 of Secret Love

TRU

Between school and dance and taking Henley to PT when I can, the days fly by. Henley is trying so hard to be his normal, cheerful self, but I can see the toll it’s taking on him. He has circles under his eyes and even when the guys are over, it’s almost as if he’s hanging back from conversation, an onlooker instead of one of the ringleaders.

One thing that hasn’t changed is his desire for me…unless it’s that he wants me even more. Trying to have sex without hurting him has been challenging and comical and the highlight of all of this.

I’ve been on top a lot. In bed, on the couch, on the shower bench. We’ve tried it all, and he says he’s frustrated with not being able to do all he wants with his body, but when it comes to sex, he is loving every second of seeing me ride him.

I have no complaints whatsoever.

He’s stopped trying to force me to get out of the house. I think he knew I wasn’t going to stand for one more thoughtfulget out and enjoy this dayconversation. But this cheerful front he’s trying so hard to portray is almost worse.

We stop by my house to pick up a few things and my mom hugs us when she walks in.

“Why don’t we just pack everything?” Henley asks.

My mom laughs. “Whenareyou going to give in and move in with Henley?” she asks.

I make a face. “You too now, huh?”

“Can you please convince her to move in with me while I go to the bathroom, Stephanie?”

My mom’s still laughing as he walks out. “He’s pretty convincing. What’s holding you back?”

There’s a knock at the door and I walk toward it.

“Were you expecting anyone?”

“No.” She shakes her head and tries to look out the window.

I open the door and there stands my dad. My eyes narrow on him. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to greet your father?”

“Seems like you wanted the element of surprise since you didn’t let anyone know you were coming.” I fold my arms and he shoots me an irritated look.

“It’s cold out here, Trudi. Let me in.”

I turn back and my mom nods at me, so I open the door wider.

My dad saunters in like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s a good-looking man, and he knows it. He turns his most charming smile on my mom and I wait to see if it’s going to work on her.

“You look beautiful, Stephanie,” he says, moving toward her.

He reaches out to hug her and she holds up a hand before he can.

“We don’t need to hug,” she says. “If your daughter wants a hug, that’s a different story, but I don’t need one from you. What are you doing here, Allen?”

“Come on, Stephanie. How long are we going to play this game? I’ve said I’m sorry. What more do I have to do to prove that I want you back?”

Her lips flatten. “Not a damn thing. Because I don’t care if you want me back. I said I was done and I meant it.”

His nostrils flare and he takes a closer step. “It’s sad that you think you’re better off without me. No one’s going to want your sorry ass at this age.”

“Dad!”

My mom laughs and when her eyes fill with tears, I brace myself because when he makes her cry, I always cry. It also usually means she’s about to soften. He makes her cry and she caves.

“The only thing sorry about my ass is that I put up with yours for so long. I have no idea why I thought so little of myself that I didn’t stand up to you sooner, but you know what?” She moves in closer to him and gets in his face, her finger pointing in time with her next few words. “Every minute away from you has been the best time of my life. I wish I’d left youyearsago. I also wish you’d work to have a relationship with your daughter, but as it is, you don’t deserve her either. I’d suggest you get the message andgo work on yourself for a while. It won’t bring me back, but it just might salvage things between you and her.” She looks at me. “If you even want that, Tru. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”

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