Page 82 of Exposed Ink

I shrink back, hating that Taylor has now garnered everyone’s attention while also loving her even more for standing up for her dad and me.

“Taylor, if your mother knew how you were speaking to me …” Pamela splutters. “You know I’m just looking out for your family. Did you know this woman killed her husband and baby? Do you really think your mom would want you hanging out with someone like that?”

I gasp at her words, tears blurring my vision, and I wish I could do or say something. But instead, I stay stuck in my spot, unable to speak or move.

“What is wrong with you?” Taylor yells. “My family is right here, and Kinsley didn’t kill anyone. It was an accident. And unless you want to say something nice about my dad or Kinsley, you need to keep that shit to yourself.”

“What the hell is going on over here?” Shane barks, making me jump.

“You need to teach your daughter how to speak properly to adults,” Pamela hisses.

“No, you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut,” Taylor argues. “She just accused Kinsley of killing her husband and baby and told her that you and Mom used to hook up and everyone thought you guys were going to get back together.”

“What the fuck, Pam?” Shane hisses, just as an older gentleman walks over and steps between Shane and Pamela.

I think he’s Shane’s boss, the firefighter battalion chief or something.

“I’m so sorry,” the gentleman says, glaring at Pamela. “My daughter has been going through some personal stuff, but that’s no excuse.”

Pamela huffs and stumbles away.

“I love this department, and you know I respect you,” Shane says to the man, whose name I can’t remember to save my life. “But if I ever see that woman at this station or near Kinsley …”

“It won’t happen again,” the man says. Then, he looks at me. “I’m truly sorry. I don’t know all that was said, but I’m sorry. I’m working on getting her the help she needs, but it’s still no excuse.”

“No, it’s not,” Shane says before taking my hand and stomping away from everyone back to his truck with Taylor following behind.

The ride back to their place is quiet, and I consider asking if he can drop me off at home, but I don’t, not wanting to be alone.

When we pull into the driveway, Shane glances at Taylor and says, “Can you give us a moment, please?”

Taylor nods and then leans over and kisses my cheek. “Fuck her,” she says to me, making me choke up and smile at the same time.

Once she’s inside, Shane sighs and turns toward me. When he sees the silent tears sliding down my cheeks, he reaches out and wipes them away with his thumb.

“While I don’t condone the language my daughter used, I agree one hundred percent with what she said.” He tips my face to look at him. “I don’t even know where to start.” He shakes his head.

“There’s nothing to say,” I tell him, leaning into his hand. “She said things out of spite, and you don’t owe me any explanation. We all have pasts, and I wouldn’t judge you for yours, especially since you’ve never judged me for mine.”

“There’s nothing to judge. And the shit she said was …” He sighs in frustration, trying to find the right words.

“Mean? Vindictive?” I finish for him. “Yeah, I know. And before I spent years in therapy, I probably would’ve let her get in my head, but I know that what happened was a tragic accident, and all she did was show me once again how amazing you and Taylor are.”

“We love you,” he says, leaning in and kissing me.

“And I love you both.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Shane

Want to order in Italian for dinner tonight?

Sour Patch

Rain check? I’m meeting with a realtor after work. But I can come over afterward if that’s okay.

I stare at my screen,unsure of how to respond. How is it that I’ve been spending damn near every minute of my free time with Kinsley, yet she’s never once mentioned moving out of her parents’ pool house or buying a place of her own?

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