Page 115 of Sweet Thing

“Then stop acting like a caveman, Dad.”

My father looked so betrayed. We never argued. Sharp words between us were a novelty neither of us knew how to handle.

A wail went up from the other room. Mabel. Lars looked defeated—and torn. “I need to look after her.” He flicked a glance toward my father who had not suddenly softened on hearing the baby’s cry, then back to me. “I don’t like leaving you here to manage the fallout.”

“It’s really for the best.” I felt awful, sending him away on a day that was supposed to be about family and goodwill. But Thanksgiving was already ruined, and I didn’t see my father and Lars reconciling over pumpkin pie.

Lars squeezed my hip, which yielded a growl from my father. I searched Lars’s face and tried to tell him it would be okay. Of course, we were no longer a couple—if we ever had been—but I cared about him too much to inflict my father’s wrath on him.

He left the dining room, and a tense minute later I heard the front door open and close. During that time, my father paced, barely looking at me.

“Okay, give it to me.” I wanted it over with as soon as possible.

My father stopped wearing out the hardwood and turned to face me. “I’m not mad at you, Twinkle. He took advantage and broke my trust. Of course you’re not to blame! I can’t believe he was in my house, eating my food, wearing my kids’ clothes—well, you know what I mean! And this is how he shows his gratitude. Helping himself to my daughter.”

Enough. “This isn’t a case of big evil Lars seducing some innocent. I made a play for him.”

He stared at me, completely baffled. “Don’t make excuses for him. He’s older, aformerfriend of mine, and he should’ve known better.”

“And I have no agency here? You think I’m some wide-eyed virgin who can’t say no?”

Dad sent a beseeching glance my mom’s way. “Help me out here, Ellie.”

“You’re doing fine all by yourself.”

“Oh, right. You’re in on this, the big conspiracy.”

My mother looked uncomfortable, and I felt awful about that. Keeping my confidence had damaged the trust with her husband, one that was usually rock solid.

I grasped my father’s arm. “Dad, that’s my fault. Mom found out the night Mabel got sick,. I told her it wasn’t serious, and that it would be better all-around if you didn’t know. We were trying to protect you.”

My father fisted his hands on his hips. “Protect me? I’m a big boy, Adeline. I can handle the truth.”

“Sure about that?”

He glared at me.

“Lars and I are consenting adults. We had a fling”—I actually felt his wince that time—“and now it’s over.”

“It’s over? Didn’t look like it. Did he hurt you? I mean, your feelings?” Hearing him phrase it that way gave me hope. He knew that Lars was a good man and would never hurt me any other way.

“No, Dad,” I lied. “We both went into it knowing it was just a casual thing. Not a big deal at all.”

My father clearly couldn’t decide which was worse: that his friend and teammate saw me as a sex-only proposition or that Lars might want more.

“And it’s definitely done?”

My heart broke all over again. “Completely.”

Lars

I hated leaving Adeline behind.That she could handle her father better than I could was a given, but she shouldn’t have to face that alone. She was right, though. Theo would stay mad as long as I was in his sightline.

Once home, I changed Mabel and placed her in her playpen. I sent a text to Adeline:let me know you’re okay.

Nothing.

I knew Theo would blame me completely, which was fine because I was supposedly the should-know-better adult here. I should have resisted every impulse to fall for her but fall for her I had. Then I pushed her away. Not because she was the daughter of my friend, or completely too young for me. But because I wasn’t suitable as a mate. I was barely making it as Mabel’s dad.

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