Page 44 of Playing For Keeps
“Even if that’s true, the Aiden Dori loves and talks about with such high regard wouldn’t help his dad. But what do I know about the threats Aiden was getting?”
“That’s a great point, Mel. He said his dad was threatening to hurt Dori. Maybe he’s telling the truth.” I push back and consider that. A thought comes to mind. “Have you noticed how Dori distances herself from her parents?”
“Yeah, I have, but what’s that got to do with this?”
“Dori moved so she wouldn’t have to interact with them. She avoids their calls and won’t visit them. She knows how toxic they are because Aiden has tried to protect her and has told her to steer clear of them. He’s more of a dad to Dori than her actual father.”
“If he’s done that with Dori, why would he be involved with his dad?”
“Aiden’s always been her shield when it comes to them. Maybe it’s his sick way of protecting her.” I sit with that realization for a moment. “I never knew Aiden was keeping so much from me.”
“Can you imagine the burden he’s been carrying all these years?” Mel studies me for a moment. “I feel a tiny bit sorry for him.”
I roll my eyes. “Why? Because of what he did, Dori’s in the hands of the people he’s been protecting.”
“But he wouldn’t have done that if he knew Dori would be in this kind of danger. Even you have to admit that.”
“I don’t have to do anything until Dori is safe.” My heart rate stammers.
“But if he was being abused?—”
“He’s twenty-nine years old. My bet is he hasn’t been touched in years, so that fact is irrelevant.”
“But if he thought Dori was in danger, then it kind of makes sense.”
I shift to get comfortable. “I guess, but right now I’m not sure I believe him.”
“Why?”
“Because I never saw anything that pointed to it happening.”
“If it’s true, I wonder why you didn’t?” Mel taps her index finger against her lips as she seems to think about something.
I’m done talking about Aiden’s motives. No matter what they are, Dori’s still in the hands of terrible people. My guts turn into a pretzel just picturing her. She must be terrified.
Mel stands. “I can’t sit here, and I’m not ready to go back upstairs. Let’s go into the restaurant and grab a drink or a snack.”
“Lead the way.” I get to my feet and follow her.
We get seated at a table near the entrance. I scan the area as we review the menu. I don’t know why I bother because my anxiety has my stomach knotted, and nothing will digest well.
I toss the menu down. “Why don’t you order something to go? We can get back upstairs faster if you do.”
“I’m not ready to go back there yet. We won’t stay long, but I need some space for Jonah to calm down.”
“Fine.” I mindlessly move the utensils around as she continues to figure out what she wants to order.
I sit back, thinking about how this screw-up happened.
Why didn’t I just make Dori move with me?
As I stew in that thought, Melanie orders a sandwich. At least it’s something easy to take with us if we need to leave quickly.
She runs a concerned glance over me. “Jami, you need to eat.”
“I’m not hungry right now.”
“What good are you going to be if you don’t feed yourself?”
