The Exception

Chapter 55: Embarrassment Of A Lifetime

Keith and I returned back to the house, and as we reached the porch, the door opened.

"Ah, Agnus, you're back so soon," my dad stood in the door and looked at Keith. "Don't tell me, you're the boy Agnus so thoroughly knocked out."

"Dad," I spoke and gasped. Keith only laughed.

"Yes sir, that would be me," Keith shook my dad's hand. "It's good to meet you, Mr Rider."

"Oh, please, the pleasure is all mine," my dad smiled. He glanced at me then back at Keith. "Agnus, you didn't tell me your friend was so good-looking...I bet you have a six-pack hidden under that hoodie...you workout a lot?"

"DAD!" I spoke out horrified. A blush grew on my face. I was completely and utterly embarrassed.

"I mostly do running and once a week parkour, so it's getting there" Keith answered, a smile plastered on his face at my look of utter horror. 

"Hmmm, well from what I heard, you're a really good kid," my dad spoke. "Join us for breakfast?"

"I would love to, but unfortunately I need to go to work,"

"Of course, how thoughtless of me, it was good meeting you Keith,"

"Same," Keith shook my dad's hand again. He gave me a side-hug and left. I stood there, absolutely in shame.

"Why would you say that?"

"It's the truth...he's a good-looking handsome chap, and he's been so nice to my daughter, don't tell me you think he's ugly?"

"No, he's really hot...but I don't think of him like that, and besides, looks aren't everything," I said and shook my head. "Seriously, you just did that to embarrass me...didn't you?"

My dad grinned. "Pretty much, I've got a lifetime of embarrassments to make up for!"

"Dad, this is not a good way to repair a relationship!" I spoke out. He just laughed and walked inside, and I froze.

I just admitted that I thought Keith was hot? What on earth was wrong with me? I glanced back at him as he was walking down the street. I shook my head. I had a boyfriend, for crying out loud, and a whole big mess to go with it. I could not really think of him in that way. Things were way too complicated and to add that to the equation? I sighed and smiled. This whole situation was quite amusing, but this was all it would ever be. An embarrassing moment.

I walked inside and  Mila jumped onto my back.

"Oof! You're getting really heavy!"

"I know! And I love you!" Mila hugged me tightly. I returned it before putting her down. I walked into the kitchen. My mom was still in her pink and vanilla shaded pajamas. She glanced at me and smiled. "Saw your note earlier...didn't think you'd be up for exercise so early a Saturday morning..."

"It was more a repairing of a friendship than an actual exercise," I said as I took a seat on a chair at the table. "Mom...I have a question..."

"Of course," my mom cracked some eggs and placed it in a bowl to mix.

"After the shooting, you seemed actually ok with me still working at the Candy Store...that was until Saturday..."

My mom started to mix slower and looked at me. "Yes..."

"Was it Evan that changed your mind?" I raised my brow as I asked this. My mom took a deep breath as she put the bowl down.

"Did he tell you?"

"No," I responded poignantly. "I kind of figured it out on my own. Follow the breadcrumbs...right? What did Evan say?"

"He kind of pointed out to me that the neighbourhood was dodgy, and that you were under a lot of stress with school and pressures and such...and that it may be better..."

I shook my head, and groaned. "Mom!"

"Look, he made a valid point, and ultimately, it was my decision to pull you out of this situation...not his..."

"No, actually, this time, it was his decision..." I said as I shook my head. "Unbelievable..." Anger churned inside of me. Evan not only manipulated my mom, he outright lied to her. I was actually doing better at school due to this job, considering Keith tutored me in my spare time. It was also my escape, but Evan knew it was a risk...the more time I spent with Keith, the more I was likely to find out what happened. 

"I don't understand why you are getting so riled about this...you forgave me so quickly honey..."

"Yeah, because I thought you were simply being the overprotective mother...I can almost guarantee you, Evan's motives weren't so pure..."

"What if he really wanted to protect you?" My mom asked.

"That's not his choice to make..." I said. I leaned back on the chair. 

"Sweetie, is there something I don't know?"

I looked at my mother. "There's a few things, but it's not my story to share...look, I just needed to ask...but this isn't your fault or anything. I'm not mad at you, and I would love to have a great breakfast with my whole family...so just, don't stress about it..."

"Ok," my mom muttered, and she pushed a block of cheese to me with a grater. "Then get cracking."

I laughed and started working on the cheese. However, my heart was yet again heavy. I knew what I had to do. 

Problem was, I don't know if I had the strength to do it.