Page 149 of Mountain Daddy
He stays leaned in.
And he doesn’t sigh. Doesn’t act uncomfortable.
“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” he says, and I know he means it.
“I didn’t hear anyone mention her during the grad party. Is, um…” I didn’t think this through. I can’t really just ask if she’s alive, can I? “Is she around?”
“If byaroundyou mean living in the US, then yes. But she’s not involved in Ashley’s life.”
His answer brings up so many more questions, but I ask the first one that pops into my brain. “Were you married?”
Luther glances away. Then he slides his hand off mine. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Sorry.” My heart starts to pound. “Sorry, I?—”
He turns his head back to me, his gaze wide. “No, Baby, it’s not?—”
“Kenny?” My dad’s voice infiltrates my bubble of panic.
My head snaps to the side. “Dad?”
He’s halfway across the room, walking straight toward us.
I look down to where my hand is on the table. Where Luther had his hand over mine.
Did Dad see that?
I look at the bags of coffee standing on the edge of the table.
Please let that have blocked his view.
“What are you two doing here?” Dad’s eyes are narrowed when he reaches our table.
“Hey, man.” Luther somehow sounds completely normal. “I’m just running into everyone today.”
Chapter 89
Luther
“You ran into each other here?”Joe’s eyes are bouncing between us. And I’m surprised he could even hear my words over the sound of my heart trying to thud out of my chest.
I really need to get my affairs in order because I give it a fifty-fifty chance I survive the year.
“Yup.” I pick up my coffee. “Small world.” Feigning a casualness I donotfeel, I take a sip of my drink, then nod at the table next to ours. “Grab a chair.”
I slide the bags of coffee beans across the table so they won’t be in Joe’s way.
Joe looks at Kendra.
She smiles brightly and pats the top of her backpack. “I brought my laptop to do work, but maybe my boss will give me the rest of the day off.”
My heart aches.
I hate this.
Hate lying to my friend.
Hate making Kendra lie to him.
