“Well, that is kind of true.” He sighs. “Fifteen years ago, I was arrested and sent to prison,” he says cautiously.
I stiffen at the confession, but nod for him to go on.
He tears at the coffee cup sleeve for a moment before he proceeds. “Look, I loved my family dearly, but money was tight.” His shoulders sag and he takes another sip of coffee as if he needs it before carrying on with the story. “I was offered a job to be a driver for a not so kosher job. I was told we were robbing a pawn shop. In and out in two minutes. All I had to do was drive. But the guys got sloppy, and the shop owner was shot and killed. Even though I didn’t pull the trigger or even step foot onto the crime scene, we were all given the same sentence. Twenty years to life.”
I swallow hard, but I want to hear the rest of this story, so I try to keep my composure.
He starts again. “I got out in a little under fifteen due to good behavior. While locked up, I got my college degree and once I got out, I got my private investigator license.” He smiles tightly.
“So you didn’t really leave them on your own accord. You were in prison,” I say, making sure I’m getting it right.
“Exactly. Evan and his mom moved out of Boston and here to the city to start over. It was hard for Evan to be the kid whose dad was locked up. It was much easier for them to say that I had gotten up and left than to have to divulge the truth.”
I nod in understanding.
“Look. Evan doesn’t know I’m here. Actually, he doesn’t even know that I’ve been keeping tabs on you.”
“Oh God. I told him someone was following me, and he totally freaked. You need to tell him, so he doesn’t keep installing more security systems.”
“I tried, but he’s been holed up in his apartment ever since you dumped him. Reeks like hell in there. You really did a number on him, woman.” He shoots me a stern look.
Thecojoneson this man!
“Look, Luke. I know you’re Evan’s dad and all, but you don’t know everything that’s happened, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to be spilling our personal business to you.” I cross my arms over my chest.
His facial features soften, and he breaks into a full grin. “Evan did say I would like your spunk.” He shakes his head. “And I do think it’s my business to talk about your relationship with my son, because you’re both being idiots.”
My jaw drops. “Oh really, and why is that?”
He leans back in his chair, looking much too pleased with himself. “My name is Luke Cooper. I’ll give you a minute to catch up, Amelia.” He smirks.
I roll my eyes. “You already told me your nam—”
Luke Cooper.
LC.
Holy crap.
“You’re LC?!” I shout.
He releases a full belly laugh. “That one and only.”
I feel myself sink into my seat. What the fuck.
LC wasn’t another woman, it was his father.
Why the hell didn’t he just tell me himself.
This makes no sense.
Luke interrupts my spiraling session. “Look. Evan wanted to be the one to tell you, but you both seem too dumb to pull your heads out of your asses. My son is in love with you and from what I hear, you’re in love with him too. So cut the crap and figure this shit out together.”
I stare at him blankly. So he carries on.
“Look, there’s a lot more going on than Evan hiding me from the world. There’s some serious shit that Evan is dealing with, which is why your security is so important.”
“What other stuff?”
