Page 96 of Sweeper
Also…now it’s out there. The confirmation I have been avoiding with all my might. Vaughn Harris is my father.
My voice is tight when I choke out, “I see.”
“Zander, look. I’m in Bath with Tilly, but I can grab a train and be back in London in a couple of hours. Let’s set up a meeting.”
I shake my head even though I know he can’t see it. “I don’t need a meeting with you. I need a meeting with somebody else.”
“What do you mean? I’m the one who should deal with this.”
“You’re wrong,” I reply through clenched teeth. “My mom is who should be dealing with this.”
Daphney
“Why is Zander Williams texting me asking where you’re at?” my brother Hayden growls into my mobile as I wrap silverware at Old George before we open.
“Because I haven’t been to my flat in a couple of days,” I reply crisply.
“Where have you been staying?”
“Phoebe’s.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing, Hayden.”
“Bullshit,” he snaps. “Zander’s texts don’t seem like nothing. He says you won’t take his calls, and he’s been looking for you.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“What did he do?” Hayden asks ominously. “Just tell me.”
“No.”
He scoffs into the line. “Why do the losers always find you, Daphney?”
“Because I’m easy prey, okay, Hayden?” I snap, my voice cracking as fresh pain rips through me for the fiftieth time today. “Because I’m a magnet for arseholes. Because I’m not good enough to find someone who can care about me in any meaningful way. Is that an answer you’re looking for?”
“Daphney.” Hayden’s voice is pained but not as much as mine.
“Don’t worry about me, Hayden. I’m fine. I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up, frustrated that I answered in the first place, but I wanted to make sure it wasn’t something I needed to take care of at the building since I haven’t been over there for a few days. Heaven forbid I let one of my responsibilities go while I’m wallowing in yet another relationship disaster. It’s like déjàfucking vu all over again.
I woke up after that wedding feeling like the cat that got the cream. I swear I was even smiling in my sleep, for heaven’s sake. I dreamed of Zander while he held me in his arms. My heart was so bloody full, I was making us coffee and thinking I could do this with him for the rest of my life.
Then I heard him next door talking to his teammates. I didn’t think anything of it. I figured he’d be back because his suit was still on the floor of my flat.
Then I heard my name. And I heard Zander try to tell Link he didn’t know what he was talking about. And then Link said something about the double-decker bus tour, and I felt sick to my stomach.
It was like I was listening to the voice of a complete stranger.
My mobile pings with a text notification, and I feel a small sense of relief when I see it’s Phoebe and not another text from Zander since I’ve been ignoring him for three days straight.
Phoebe: Got out late from my audiobook session. Be there in twenty.
Me: You don’t have to come here.
Phoebe: The fuck I don’t. If that wanker tries to stop by while you’re working, he’s going to have to go through me first. See you soon. xx
My chin wobbles at the overprotectiveness of my best friend. I hate that she’s had to pick me up off the floor the past few days. I hate that I’ve shed countless tears after so many countless kisses. I hate that I feel like my old self again who falls easily and blindly.
