Page 130 of Faithful

“So, what is it that you need my assistance with?”

“Your dad still golfs at Ruddies?”

“Yep.”

“Can you get me in there on a Sunday?”

“I can try, but you know you need an invitation from a member, especially on the weekends when they have all their high rollers come in for brunch.”

“How about I pretend to be your boyfriend or something?”

“My dad knows you’re not my boyfriend. I’m pretty positive that he’ll soon start suspecting you’re gay since you haven’t gone out with any girl after that stint with Emmalyn Hill you had in high school.”

My fear must be written all over my face because Leigh says next, “Don’t freak out. My dad is not your dad.”

“Thank God.” Also,am I that obvious?

“Look.” She gives me a reassuring shoulder squeeze. “I’ll talk to him later this week and see if he plays nice.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Are you going to tell me the rest of the plan?”

“It’s still forming, but once I figure out the details, you’ll be the first to know.”

* * *

The stupid Gavin problem keeps me up pretty much all night, but in the end, my brainstorming pays off.

I have an idea.

It involves putting myself on the line, but somehow thinking about sacrificing my privacy in order to save Kai and what we have no longer scares me.

That’s why I end up knocking on Gin’s door at the end of the workday when Val and Winona are gone.

“Do you have a couple of minutes?” I poke my head inside and see my boss studying a pair of glasses she recently started wearing because her eyesight is all funny.

“Sure. What’s going on, kid?”

I step into the office and my gaze instantly goes to the jar with the lucky stars as if seeking something familiar, something warm, something happy, before I literally jump-start the apocalypse.

“You okay?” Gin motions at the chair and I gladly sit down because I’m nervous.

“I need help,” I say simply.

She puts the glasses back on her nose and gives me her full attention. “I’m always here. You know that, Dylan.”

“I’m looking to speak to a lawyer. It’s a sensitive subject and it has to be someone my father doesn’t have in his pocket.”

“What kind of lawyer?”

I swallow past the knot in my throat. Here goes nothing. “Sex crimes… domestic abuse… Something along those lines.”

Gin’s expression changes from concerned to slightly shocked. She leans forward an inch, both elbows now resting on the table. “What are you saying, kid?”

“It’s not quite what you think, okay?” My pulse is roaring in my ears. “It’s a bit more complicated and I’m just trying to figure things out. I promise, I’m fine.”

“You’re worrying me.”

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