Page 16 of Dirty Secret

CHAPTER 6

Max

"I'm going to tell her the truth."

My father sat at our round kitchen table while reading the newspaper. The only acknowledgment to what I said was a humph noise as he turned the page.

"I overpriced the job by twenty thousand dollars. That's a lot of money."

I started on my short path around our kitchen, not waiting for my father's input. Pacing helped me put things into perspective.

Each counter and surface held a memento of our family. Kat's drawings fluttered as I walked briskly by on my circular trek. I stopped in front of a shelf that contained my great-great-grandmother's old tea set and a framed watch my great-grandfather got in France during World War II.

All of it was a reminder of the sharp contrast between me and Heidi. Even if she didn't ruin me after I confessed the truth to her, it's not like I could take her on a date. She's out of my league, and I had the thin layer of dust on a century-old tea set to prove it.

I folded my arms and leaned against the counter. "I may even go to jail for it. If that happens, please take care of Kat. Don't let Jackie gain full custody."

My ex-wife was a spoiled daddy's girl that wanted a doll to play with and a wealthy man to support her. When we met, she had no idea my dad's plumbing business made just enough to support his family and nothing more. She thought since he owned his own business that our family had to be made of money.

She was wrong.

Jackie was beautiful, with long brown hair and sparkling green eyes. I remember feeling like the luckiest man in the world because she wanted me. But it was all a lie. As was her claim that she was on birth control while when we were dating. I found out too late that she didn't even have a prescription for birth control.

Jackie got her doll only to discover it was a living, breathing baby that required consistent attention and work. Jackie didn't like work.

My father put down the paper, crinkling it in the process. "I would fight that woman until my last breath before I let her have our Kat. And you're not going to jail. You may lose that plumbing job, but you aren't going to jail."

A year ago, my father retired and handed me his business. It's now Brighton Plumbing, instead of Brighton and Sons.

My fingers scratched the back of my neck. I wanted to do right by him, but there was something gnawing at me. I need to stick to the truth, no matter the consequences.

Growing up I was a little wild and rarely listened to what my father told me. He warned me against Jackie, and a part of me wished I had listened. But the other part—the father in me—wouldn't change a thing. As much as I wanted to believe my dad, it was hard to accept the thing with Heidi wouldn't end badly.

A rumbling on the stairs distracted me from my thoughts. Seconds later, a multi-colored blur came dashing into the room.

"Whoa, slow down, Kat." I chuckled, widening my arms and was almost blown over as she crashed into me.

"Morning, Dad. We're going to the zoo today!"

I bent to her level and her smile widened as she gripped my shoulders. My heart fluttered, just as it did when I first laid eyes on her in that hospital room over eight years ago. Kat's hazel eyes shone. She had the wonderful ability to infect joy into everyone around her. My gaze sliced to my father and even his usual stern veneer melted into happiness.

"Yes, we are, but I have to take care of something first before we go." I stood and ran my fingers over her long mop of brown hair, mussing it up even more.

With a frown, her excitement vanished. "We won't have daylight forever, Dad. We have to get to the zoo soon to see the pandas."

"I promise not to take long. Grandpa will get you breakfast, and I'll run out to do what I have to do. By the time you're done with breakfast, brushed your teeth," I gave her a stern look, "and get dressed, I'll be back and ready to go."

"Fine. But can I have the Frosted Mini-Wheats this morning?" Her eyes studied the floor. Kat knew I limited her sugar.

"I think that's a great idea. In fact, I snuck out this morning before your dad woke and got a little something at the bakery." Dad cupped the side of his mouth as if letting Kat in on a secret, but I could hear every word.

My dad spoiled my daughter. Any other day I'd give my father grief about indulging her, but guilt of what I had done to Heidi was softening my resolve. I can only hope Kat didn't have too many meltdowns at the zoo from all the sugar.

"I'll leave you two to your fun." I gave Kat a kiss on the cheek and headed toward the front door.

Squaring my shoulders and with reluctance in my step, I left the house. Heidi's home was around the corner, but I took my time, drawing out my impending doom.

With a rapidly beating heart—less from walking and more from fear—I stood staring at her gray front door. I hoped for a moment the teeth from the lion of the brass door knocker would tear me apart and save me from facing Heidi.

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