Page 30 of Hooked on Marshall

“When my father said I was at my boyfriend’s house, Jonas kind of flipped out,” she sighs. “My father didn’t take that very well and had a few choice words for him. But when he toldhim his name, my father threatened him. Then Jonas just hung up.”

“Okay,” I nod. “What does your father want you to do?”

“He wants me to come back home so I can tell him everything and we can make a plan in case Jonas finds me here.”

I curse again and close my eyes. Lana pulls herself closer to me and kisses the underside of my jaw. I shiver, but I don’t relax.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I didn’t want this.”

“I know you didn’t,” I grit out as I open my eyes. “But we’re going to handle it. Right now. The food can wait.”

She nods. I kiss her head and place the takeout containers in my fridge. Then her hand is in mine as I lead her out to my Jeep. When we get to her parent’s house, her father answers the door. And I make sure I have Lana’s hand in mine as a show of support. But when her father lets out a sob and pulls her into his arms, I know that things will work out for them.

Twenty-Two

When my father pulls me into his arms, the tension I didn’t realize I was holding on to finally lets go. And so do I. Again. I feel the brush of Marshall’s hand across my back as he walks inside. And I know that everything is going to work out.

Several long minutes later, my father grips my shoulders and separates us. The apology is there in his eyes. He doesn’t need to say the words. But he does anyway, the same time I do.

“I’m so sorry, baby.”

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

We laugh. Then he kisses my forehead and leads me inside. Marshall is already in the kitchen talking with my mother and grandfather. And I’m greeted by them before I take Marshall’s hand again.

“I would like to get to the bottom of this tonight,” my father says. “Because if I’m being honest, Jonas Freeman does not sound like he’s very stable. Something that could be very dangerous if he comes here looking for you.”

Marshall’s hand tenses in mine. So, I nod and take a seat. Marshall sits close beside me so he can keep his arm around me. I welcome the physical support and place my hand on his knee.

“Just explain to me how it all happened, and ended, please,” my father says. “And we’ll go from there.”

I look at Marshall first. This pains him as well. But after he kisses me softly, I begin my story. I tell my family what happened exactly the way I explained it to Marshall. When I finish, I swear I can almost see steam pouring out of my father’s ears. And grandpop doesn’t look much happier either.

“And Jonas still works for the company?”

“He does,” I nod.

“You know that’s bullshit,” he snaps.

“I know,” I say. “But I don’t want that job back because I don’t want to work there anymore.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what’s the point of bringing this up now?” I ask. “It’s only going to upset me and remind me of that dreadful mistake I made.”

“Youbothmade that mistake,” he hisses. “And he should have had consequences as well.”

I nod and look down as I lean on Marshall’s shoulder. Then he finally adds to the conversation.

“My lawyer in the city would surely offer his advice on this,” he tells them. “Even if Lana sees no need to go after them for it, I agree with her that it might be a good bargaining chip if he does track her down. Something that is more likely to happen given the fact that he has your home phone number and probably your address.”

I shudder upon hearing this. My father and grandfather curse under their breath. Then Marshall makes an offer that stuns us all into silence.

“If you feel it would be safer, Lana is welcome to stay with me,” he says. “I have a spare bedroom. She slept there Saturday night.”

When I look up, the expressions on the faces of my family are downright comical. My mother is sporting a bright smile. My grandfathers' eyebrows are almost off his head. And my father is scowling. But not as much as he could be.

“You expect me to believe that you’d sleep in separate beds if she stays with you?”

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