Page 16 of Half Baked

“And make me look guilty.” I could only imagine what my father would say when he found out. He’d had plenty to say at Christmas about everything else in my career.

A pleading look filled the chief’s eyes, and he suddenly looked older than his sixty-some years. “I’m doin’ the best I can here, son.”

I let out a breath and sank back into the chair. “I know.”

“So go home, sit tight, and enjoy your time off. You’ve earned it.”

I took that as my cue that we were done, so I stood. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Half expecting to find protesters, I headed out to my car, but the parking lot was dark and quiet. I approached my car and stopped next to the driver’s side door. Everything in me wanted to get inside and drive straight to Maddie’s house. I needed her, and I wanted to tell her that I was sorry for pulling away from her, especially since I wanted her more than I wanted anything in my life. But I didn’t, because I could hear my father’s words still ringing in my ears, telling me I was incompetent and incapable of doing the right thing.

After today, I couldn’t help wondering if he was right.

My father had told me his terrible secret, followed by an ultimatum, and I’d let it stew inside me like a festering wound. My therapist had helped me realize I was giving him power over me, but I didn’t know how to stop, and I was disconcerted by how much one discussion had screwed up my progress. I needed to break free from him again, for good, so I could become the kind of man worthy of Maddie.

So instead of giving in to my impulse, I got into my car and headed to my small rental house about a half mile away.

All I wanted was a beer and Matilda’s leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes, followed by sleep, but as soon as I approached my house and saw the car parked at the curb, it became apparent I wouldn’t find any peace over the next few hours, possibly days.

I parked the car and got out, preparing to meet my doom.

The car door opened, and the woman exited and walked over to me. I found myself staring down at my mother.

“Noah Alexander Langley,” she snapped, her eyes blazing. “You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do.”

ChapterFive

Maddie

“What an asshole,” Mallory said as we cleaned the kitchen after dinner.

“You can’t call a man who just got shot an asshole,” I protested weakly.

“The hell I can’t,” she countered, vigorously washing a pot. Water was flying everywhere, so I took a step back.

“I’d rather him be honest than pretend he wants to be with me.”

She turned to face me. “Any man who lets his family sway his decisions isn’t worthy of you, Maddie. You deserve a man who will stand up for you, not cave.”

I groaned. “We don’t know that’s what’s happening.” But I had to admit to myself that it sure looked that way.

She propped a soapy hand on her hip. “Even if it’s not, you know how I feel about how he’s been handling things. Or not handling them.”

“I think he’s scared,” I said. “He’s been hurt before.”

“So have you, andyou’renot emotionally stunted.”

I gave her a sly smile. “He’s a man, Mal.”

“Big fucking deal. It’s no excuse.”

I pushed out a sigh. “You’re right.”

“All I’m saying is you deserve someone who loves you with everything in him.”

“Whoa…” I said, holding up my hand. “No one said anything about love.”

But the truth was, I’d already fallen for him. Everything had felt right—so very right—before he’d left for Christmas. He’d given me a heart necklace, and it had felt like he’d given me his own heart with it.

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