Page 60 of All Along

His nostrils flare as he shakes his fist in the air. “Get out of here!” Spit flies from his mouth as he yells. “Get out of here! And don’t ever come back!”

“Trust me. I don’t ever want to come back to this emotionless mausoleum. But I will if you don’t heed my warning. Staythe hell away from Maya. She’s no longer your daughter. She’s nothing to you.”

“Get out! Get out!” Roger’s eyes are bulging. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops a blood vessel in his eye.

I glance over my shoulder at Maya’s mom as I make my way to the door. Roger is going to lose it on her once I’m gone.

Shit. I can’t abandon her here with him but there’s no way she’ll go anywhere with me. She refused to accept the helping hand Maya offered her. She sure as hell isn’t accepting help from me.

I’ll phone the cops. It’s the only recourse I have.

When I open the door, I realize I don’t have to contact anyone since there’s a cop waiting on the porch.

I hold up my hands. “I didn’t touch him.”

He smirks. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

My brow wrinkles. “What?”

He chuckles and holds out his hand. “I’m Weston. I’m Sophia’s brother.”

Now I understand why he appears familiar. Weston and I had a few interactions when he was a rookie cop and I was a shithead teenager. Although, he’s changed over the decade I’ve been gone. But, then, so have I.

“I’m doing a welfare check.” He winks before knocking on the door.

“Go away!” Roger shouts from inside the house.

“Go on.” Weston nods to my truck. “Get out of here. I’ve got this.”

“How did you know I was here?”

He taps his nose. “A little bunny told me.”

Crap. Maya knows I’m here. She’s probably losing her mind.

“Thanks, man. I didn’t consider Maya’s mom’s safety.”

“Don’t you dare feel guilty. Maya’s been carrying that guilt around for years. It’s not her guilt to carry and it’s certainly not yours. You did right by her. It’s about damn time.”

“Yes, it is,” I mutter.

I climb into my truck and switch on my phone. It immediately starts beeping with message after message from Maya. I scroll to the last one.

Don’t do anything stupid.

She probably won’t agree with me, but I didn’t do anything stupid. I did what needed to be done. And if her parents ignore my warnings, I’ll do what I need to do to get my point across. Maya’s life will no longer be poisoned by her egg and sperm donor.

They are not her family.

I am.

Chapter 22

“When all else fails, call a cop.” ~ words Maya never thought she’d say

Maya

Istudy the message from Caleb.

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