I remember the day clearly.
“You were so happy for me.”
“I was. I love you like a sister, Lucy. That’s why I know your parents were misinformed. If they’d seen the joy on your face that day, they never would have insisted you do anything else.”
I snort.
Connie pulls back. “You okay?”
I shake my head. “No, my parents weren’t interested in what brought me joy. My dad wanted a doctor he could control. That was all there was to it.”
“Why would he want to control a doctor? That’s kind of weird.”
I close my eyes. I’ve never shared my suspicions about my dad with anyone. Growing up, my mom used to tell me that I was never to talk about him with anyone. Ever. She said it could get him in trouble.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I say brokenly. Because really, it doesn’t. “I missed my chance to make it right. I always thought I’d get a chance for things to be good between us—that he’d realize he was wrong to control me.”
I sob. There’s too much I want to say, too much I needed to say to him.
Connie’s arms grow tighter as she holds me while I cry.
“What if the same thing happens with Cody?” I whimper.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“What if I never get the chance to make things right? He was so angry with me.”
Connie rubs my back. “One thing at a time, Lucy. Tonight, you mourn your father. Tomorrow, we can talk about Cody. All right?”
I nod.
She’s right. I can’t think about Cody too. I can’t think about everything I’ve lost, or I might not be able to pull myself up again.
CHAPTER35
Cody
It’s beenfour days since Lawrence was shot. After extensive questioning, I was able to leave the police station that same night, and I went straight to the hospital, but I was too late.
I called Lucy after I learned her father died. Got her voicemail. I went to her apartment. She didn’t answer the door. I even went to see her on campus this morning, but the note on her door says she’s out for the week.
I wish I knew Connie’s last name. I have no way to track Lucy down.
I scrub my hand down my face. If she isn’t answering my calls, then I need to accept she needs space to grieve. Hell, she’s not only grieving her father’s death, but her mother’s betrayal—and Ted’s, too. Although I still haven’t figured out what the hell he was even doing there.
The only way I’m going to be able to give Lucy space is if I keep busy. I decided it would be better to start at Morgan Thompson Security early rather than sit on my ass for another week, thinking too much. But thinking is exactly what I’m doing.
All the anger I had toward Lucy for going to her dad melted when I saw how upset she was when he got shot. She only wanted his love. I can see that now.
“Hey, got a minute?” Rover is at my door.
“Sure.”
He steps in wearing a leather jacket and motorcycle boots. He sits down in the other chair, smiling.
“You look like that guy from the show about motorcycle gangs.” The name of it is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t think of it.
“Yeah? I know which one you mean. Does that mean you find me attractive, Pig Pen?” he smirks.
