Stacie went back to work, and I was alone with my regrets. I started the process of returning my texts and emails. It was the weekend, but work-related calls still came through. It was okay since I didn’t have to venture into the office.
My stomach twisted in knots when I saw the miss call from Dad. I tapped my phone and took a deep breath in the seconds it took him to answer. “There you are,” his voice boomed over the phone. “I’m glad you finally celebrated your promotion. How was your night out?”
“It was overwhelming.”
Dad was alert. “What happened Princess?”
“I saw Rex. He asked that I return your money.”
Dad was silent on the line.
“The money is here with the bank bands intact. He didn’t spend a dime. Dad, how could you do this?” my voice cracked, so I couldn’t say more without being disrespectful.
“I won’t apologize for protecting you. How much do you know about Rex or his family? It was a Summer fling. You would’ve been heartbroken after the fun was over.”
“I’m heartbroken now, so it wasn’t up to you.”
“Laura, I remember what it was like to be young and infatuated. You would’ve given up everything you’ve worked so hard for.”
“That’s not true. I love my job. It was an extended vacation.”
“And what would’ve happened if Rex wanted you to stay longer?”
“I don’t know. I might not ever find out. You shouldn’t have interfered with my relationship.”
“Do you think you would’ve received a promotion if you took off months to travel?”
I ignored his question and asked some of my own. “When did you see Rex? How were you able to give him the money?”
“I looked up his number on the phone bill.”
I shook my head. “All these years we had a family plan because I never thought you would violate my privacy.”
“It was for your own good.”
“So, you called Rex?”
“Yes. I invited him over for a drink. He was in the study when you and Cameron dropped off dessert.”
“You asked me to attend the event with Cameron,” my accusation came with guilt. I sighed, “I should’ve said no.”
“You could have, but you didn’t. Cameron wanted more with you. He wasn’t sure how to go about it, but your attention shifted when Rex came along. I may have put you two together, but you kissed him on your own.”
“We didn’t kiss.”
“Cameron was waiting by the car, and it looked very different from where Rex and I were standing.”
I thought back to the night everything happened. “I was mad at you. Rex was leaving. My head felt terrible, but I still wanted to keep my promise. I told you when I dropped off the cake. You said to give it a few hours.”
“And an intimate exchange followed with Cameron.”
“Nothing happened. He kissed my forehead.”
“But it was the start of something, since you’ve been on and off with him ever since.”
I never told Dad where I slept that night. He probably talked to Cameron at some point, but I didn’t care.
“Dad, why did you tell Cameron to take my phone? He answered it when Rex called.”
“I didn’t tell Cameron to do anything.”
“He kept my phone the entire weekend. Cameron said it was lost. I’m mad because you lied to me,” my painful sobs broke free, and I couldn’t keep my anger at bay.
“I was in love with Rex, and now he wants nothing to do with me,” I cried more. “I was happy, you knew and still pulled this crap. I’m not Mom. I wouldn’t leave you.”
The weight of my words probably hurt, but he didn’t respond to my statement. Mom left eighteen years ago. Dad never remarried, and the string of women he dated weren’t even close to being stepmother material.
Dad wanted to live in the past, and I couldn’t do it. He tolerated my emotional outburst and tried calming me. It didn’t work, but my temper tantrum still wouldn’t change anything. I mumbled a broken goodbye and then ended the call. I wiped my tears and willed myself to calm down. Rex left last year. It shouldn’t hurt so much. I was dealing with the fact that Dad and Cameron lied to me. Rex could’ve called. We probably would’ve worked things out. I sobbed and took a shaky breath. I was finished with feeling sorry for myself. I needed to work. It would take my mind off everything.
Cameron sent a text awhile later. He didn’t talk to Dad or he wouldn’t still be texting like I was clueless. I tossed my phone onto the cushion. Dad could relay whatever he wanted since they were so close. I checked my emails and cleaned up on autopilot. My tears were finished, but Rex was on my mind. I still couldn’t get over him.