Page 15 of Hard Focus
“It’s not working for me, Jonas.” She lifted her chin. “We’re more different than I realized when we began dating.”
“Don’t do this, Connie.” He sighed. “I like what we have. It’s working for me.”
“Well, it’s not for me. I’m sorry.”Why am I apologizing?Connie shook her head and rolled her nails across the already-raw places on her palms. “There’s really nothing more to say.” Her phone buzzed in her purseandshe turned to retrieve it. Her father’s face smiled up at her from the screen. Cradling the phone, she said, “It’s my dad. I need to take this. I’ll…” She floundered for a moment, then finished, “…see you around.”
“I’m gonna miss you. Hell—” He paused and shoved a hand roughly through his hair. “—I already do.” Her phone buzzed againandhe glared at it, then softened his expression when he looked up at her. “I’ll let myself out then. Be well, Connie.”
“You, too.” He was still walking away when she tapped the screen for audio and brought the phone to her ear. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Baby girl. Good to hear your voice. How are you?”
The front door opened, and closed, and only then did she release the breath she’d been holding.
“I’m good.”
***
Cole
“Uncle Cole.” Addy’s voice came from his living roomandCole smiled. They were having a sleepover, something he didn’t get to do as often as he wanted, but with Thompson acting an ass, he’d taken advantage of the extra days in Audrey’s custody. “What are we gonna eat?”
“What do you want, sweetheart?” He bent over, putting away the last of the groceries they’d gone shopping for. “Want my world-famous meatloaf?” Addy made fake gagging soundsandhe laughed. “Hey, it’s not that bad.”
“Uncle Ryan said youpoisonedhim with it.”
“Uncle Ryan’s a big fat liar.” He already knew what he was making, but this was a game she liked to play, running through the options gave her a sense of control, something direly missing in her short life. “I could make hamburgers with onions.”
“Ewwww.Onionsare bad.” He heard her bare soles hit the floor and grinned at her as she raced through the doorway, skidding to a stop beside his legs. She wrapped an arm around each thigh as she climbed on top of his feet, stretching up to her toes as she said, “Makemetacos. I lo-oveyour tacos, Uncle Cole.”
“Tacos it is.” He caressed the back of her head, smiling down and pondering the humor of the universe which gave his sister a precious gift like this out of the shitshow that was Jonas Thompson. “I love to cook for you.”
“You just love to cook.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “Mommy said.”
“Mommy’s right.” He caught her underneath her arms and lifted her, placing her butt on the counter well away from the stovetop. “Want to help me? I can teach you my ways, young chef girl.” Gathering the pans he needed, he started the lesson with, “Cooking is one of the ways you can show someone how you feel about them without having to say the words. So if you’re ever afraid of showing someone you like them, just cook for them. They’ll get the message.”
***
Connie
“I will call Big Tony.”
Connie huffed a soft laugh at Taylor’s declaration. “It’s done. Nothing to worry about.”
Eyes stretched wide, he shook his head. “I don’t care.” She gave him big eyes in response. “Oh, no. See, I do not care. That turd bucket shows up here againandI’ll be on the phone so fast you won’t even seeme dial.” He copied the motions it would take to dial that fast, fingers flying across an imaginary phone as Taylor glared at her over the rim of his glass. “I cannot believe you didn’t tell me what was going on.”
She knew half of his bluster wasangerbecause she hadn’t confided. He was hurt because his friend had been dealing with something he didn’t know about. Reaching across the table, she covered one of his hands with hers, giving him a squeeze. “A lot happened quickly. I think I was trying to come to terms with what I needed to do, and him showing up?” She shrugged. “Tipped the scales. I’m kind of glad he showed up, honestly.”
Taylor bugged his eyes at her. “Honestly?” He scowled and pointed to the ring of bruising on her wrist. “Honey, he hurt you.”
Connie shook her head. “I pulled away. He didn’t mean to, Taylor. And besides, if he hadn’t shown up, I would have built it up in my head bigger than it needed to be. I know myself, and if I’d had a lot of time to think, I might have even chickened out. This way I just spoke from my heart, and he heard me. He left when I told him to, Taylor. It’s okay.” She squeezed his hand again. “I’mokay.”
“Iwillcall your daddy.” His tone held less irritation this time, but he angled his head to show her how serious he was.
“I know you would, and that’s one of the reasons I love you so much. You wouldn’t care how angry I’dbe atyou over it. You just want to take care of your friends.” His expression gentled slightly at her words. “Because that’s who you are, and I’m blessed to have friends like you.”
“Damn straight you are.” He turned his hand over and cupped her fingers in his, tightening for a moment. “And if that man shows up again, I promise to take care of you.”
“And now—” She pulled back and lifted her glass, waiting for him to do the same before she clinked the rims together. “—we drink and dance, and we wait for your man to make an appearance so we can have dinner. And we don’t talk about he-who-shall-not-be-named again tonight. Can you do that for me?”
