More Than Lies (More Than #1)(58)

“Let’s get one thing straight right now.” His normal light blue eyes are dark. Almost scary looking as they bore into mine. “Nod so that I know you’re not only going to hear, but you’re going to really listen to what I say.” I do as he says, nodding my head. “The moment you were conceived you were my daughter. You became a part of me for forever in that moment, and you’ll always be not just my daughter, but as much a part of this family as anyone else in it. Am I clear on that, Taralynn?”

“Yes, sir, but she said—” He cuts me off before I restate my mother’s words to me last week.

“Katherine does not speak for me. She should not have said what she said to you, and I’ll address that with her.” He releases my jaw and places his palm gently around the back of my head. Leaning forward, my dad plants a soft kiss on my forehead. It’s tender and sweet, and something he hasn’t done in years. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m sorry I’m not the father you need nor the father you’ve always deserved.”

“Don’t say that.” I feel awful hearing those words come from his mouth. Not because it isn’t true. As much as I don’t want to face that reality, it is true, but I didn’t think for a minute that he thought he was a bad dad.

“Don’t state a fact?” He raises an eyebrow. “Taralynn, I know I’ve been less than a father to you your whole life. I don’t have an excuse. Do I have my reasons, sure, but that doesn’t make them right. And I’m sorry for that. More than you know. One day.” He pauses then looks up toward the ceiling as if to gain control. Of what, I’m not sure. “One day I’ll tell you. I owe you an explanation for so much. It just won’t be today, but don’t ever think you don’t belong here; that you don’t belong in this family. You do, more so than others in fact. You’re an Evans by blood. For me, blood is everything and all that matters . . . now. Go to sleep sweet girl. Katherine will want everyone awake in a few hours.”

He stands, turns, and then walks to my door to leave.

“Daddy,” I call out. He turns to look back at me as he opens the door. I raise the book off my lap. “It is pretty awesome. Thanks.”

“You are pretty awesome, daughter. That’s just a book, but I’m glad you like it. See you in a little while.”

He leaves and I’m left thinking about his words.

Blood is everything and all that matters . . . now.

My mother isn’t blood.

He made it sound as though he loves his children more than his wife, but is that true? I don’t know, and I don’t want to contemplate it. I’ll never come up with an answer.

After I place the book on the nightstand, I scoot my body down the bed and pull the covers up. I am tired, and sleep would be nice.

So that’s what I do.

I sleep and sleep well up until I hear that harsh voice I’ve dreaded since I left Pam and Bill’s on Christmas Eve night.





“It wasn’t so bad,” my brother says. I roll my head toward Trent, fixing him with an annoyed stare. We just left our parents’ house after Christmas dinner. We’re headed to a party at one of Trent’s high school buddy’s house after a quick stop to pick up our gang. Kylie’s parents’ house is just a few blocks over, and Shane’s parents’ house is directly across the street from that.

“Not for you!” I plead. “You’re the adored one.” Dinner was hell. Any amount of time spent in my mother’s presence is torture.

Taralynn, don’t slouch. Taralynn, you really shouldn’t be eating bread. Taralynn, I’m talking to your father, do not interrupt. Taralynn, have you returned Preston’s calls? Taralynn, stop slouching. For heaven’s sake, stop making me repeat myself.

Oh, for the love of God, I wish she knew what it felt like to carry around the weight of my boobs. She’d slouch too. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what God gave me. I do, and normally I like my large breasts, but sometimes they are a pain in the butt and cause lots of pain in my back and shoulders.

“Adored? Really, sis?” He chuckles, and I know he’s hoping that I’d drop the sentiment. He and I both know our mother dotes on him and always has. I also know that it’s something Trent hates. Not because he doesn’t love our mother, he does, but he doesn’t like that she treats us both differently. Deep down, I think Trent fears it’ll eventually cause a rift between the two of us. It won’t, of course. I love my brother; I look up to him, in fact. He’s the one person in my family I don’t think I could live without. I certainly wouldn’t want to.

“Yeah, really.” It’s Christmas. I don’t want to put him in a foul mood. “I’m sorry.” I draw out. “I shouldn’t have said it like that. I just don’t get her. What did I ever do to piss her off so bad that she hates me?”

“She doesn’t hate you.” I roll my eyes, not believing him for a second. I doubt even he believes that statement. “Look, let’s forget about Mom and Dad for the night, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“So have you thought any more about moving down to Jackson?” Trent takes his eyes off the road for a moment to show me his award winning, ‘you’re going to agree to what I want and you know it,’ smile.