Page 35 of Sweet Dreams

When the server comes by, we all place our order, and the silence between us is deafening. I know I should mention something, but I don’t want to bring it up. How does one mention that their daughter is a felon? Am I a felon, though?

“How’s the renovations coming along? Mom asks.

I stare out the window and answer her. “They aren’t. John got called away on another project, so my shop is waiting.”

“That’s too bad. I’m sure they’ll work extra hard to get you back in running order once he's back.”

“I hope so. I’m unsure what to do with all my spare time. I feel lazy just sitting around.”

“How’s that boy been working out?” Dad asks, skeptical.

The phantom of Silas. I haven’t heard a peep out of him today. And if I’m being honest, I’m not reaching out to him. I'll likely hear some made-up story about why he left, and then I'll be left questioning whether it's the truth or not.

“I’m not entirely sure he works for me anymore.”

“Oh? What happened there?”

I shrug because who wants to tell their parents they slept with a friend who turned into an employee, andthen he what—ditched me? Maybe I’m reading too far into it, and he didn’t ditch me? Perhaps something happened, and he had to leave.

“What’s the point of working for me when I don’t have a place of work.”

“I’m sure he’ll still work for you when you reopen.” Mom smiles at me.

Our food arrives, and I know this is the time I have to spill my guts. I wait until they both take a bit and swallow it. I don’t need them choking and dying on me.

“Mom, Dad. I need to tell you something.”

They look at me with worry.

“What is it, Small fry?”

“I was arrested yesterday.” My voice tapering off toward the end.

Mom looked away, her short blonde hair swaying as she closed her eyes and gave her head a gentle shake. Dad takes a bite of his sandwich and chuckles.

“Seriously, Caleb. This is no laughing matter. Our daughter was arrested.”

“Yes, Janette. I’m aware and sure the story behind it will be funny. Teagan. Fill us in.”

And so I fill them in, from the letter I left for Nancy to being arrestedby Taylor.

“What. How did you get out?” Leave it to Dad to ask the only question I didn’t want to answer.

“Um, Silas.”

“You called some boy instead of your parents? Why didn’t you call Jace?”

I rub my forehead; I hate having these conversations. “Because. Now, can we finish eating?”

“No. Stop dodging the question.” He let some of his frustration seep into his words.

“Oh my God, Dad. Because we had a date and I needed to cancel. Anything else you would like to know about my love life?”

I swear he has to be the only father who needs to know everything about their daughter. I hope he’s satisfied about his answer.

All I wanted to do was wake up to Teagan, maybe have morning sex and go for breakfast. That would’ve been the highlight of my fucking day. Instead, I ended up in the city because of Leroy. He played the I’m doing you a favour, so you do me a favour card. Yet he hasn’t even done his share of the favour yet.

Asshole.

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