Secrets & Lies

31| Leaked Secrets

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

My father—if I could even call him that—sneered at me from where he stood. Ted Matthews was a burly man who's deep baritone would terrify a lot of people. Especially a small boy who frequently met the end of his belt. Out of habit, my eyes glanced to the waistband of his khaki pants. No belt today.

"I came here to try and talk to you. I tried calling, but you changed your number."

No kidding. "Yeah, I did. How did you even find out about this address?" That concerned me a little. I didn't want Vanessa anywhere near my father. It wasn't that I thought he would hurt her like he has me, but it was more like...I didn't want her around him. He was poison. She wasn't.

My dad crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed and filled with everything but love. "I went to your job. They gave me the information."

If that was the case, it looked like I would have to have a talk with my boss. I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to give out that kind of information. It's been over two years since I've seen my parents. Even though it was probably wrong of me to even think it, I didn't spend one day missing them. If I never saw them again, it would be too soon.

There have been many times where I've wished they could be the type of parents that I needed. I would have been grateful for that. With everything they put me through since I was a kid, I just couldn't bring myself you have compassion for them.

"What are you doing here?" I asked again. That's the question that really bothered me. I had no idea why my father would seek me out, and I had no idea how long he had been here talking to Vanessa. God only knew what he said to her about me.

"Well?" I urged when he didn't explain. 

My father cleared his throat. "I got a call."

"From..."

"An associate of mine," he answered; as if that helped clear things up for me. "He called me a little over two weeks ago. He said—he said that he saw you with...someone outside of a restaurant."

I knew what he was talking about before he even finished his sentence. He was talking about when Logan and I went on our date and kissed next to his car. Apparently, someone my father knew saw and told on us—like we were fucking children or something. But we weren't children. I wasn't a child. Not anymore. I glanced to Vanessa. Her eyes met mine and, from the sad, hurt expression on her face, my father told her the truth about me.

Suddenly, Logan's hurtful words whispered through my mind...

"I need to be honest?" Logan hissed. "What about you?"

I felt the blood drain from my face. How could he say that to me? "Don't go there, Logan. Don't you fucking dare."

"Why not? It's the truth." He took a step towards me, his voice coming out rough and edgy. "Have you talked to your parents about who you are? You've been hiding in your relationship with Vanessa." He put his hand to his chest. "I'm not the only one who needs to accept the facts."

I didn't want to hear it at the time; and it hurt like hell. But he was right. I was hiding who I really was. From everyone. I could make up some stupid lie and possibly talk myself out of this. Or...I could finally tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. I inhaled a deep breath, trying to muster up the courage to do what needed to be done.