The Friendship List(90)

“Fine. That first night, when Ellen wanted to go sing karaoke, Luka and I went for a walk. We started talking and he told me he liked me a lot.” She paused, her mouth curving up into a secret smile. “We kissed and that was it. We were together.”

Now he was sorry he’d asked for details. “You went from kissing to sex in less than two weeks?”

“Dad, we’re teenagers with raging hormones and access to a hotel room. What did you think would happen?”

“Not that. You told me you weren’t sleeping with anyone.”

“I wasn’t before the trip.”

“You’re grounded.”

She tilted her head. “For what?”

“Having sex with Luka.”

“There’s no rule against sex.”

Damn. She had him there. “You lied about it.”

“I didn’t. You never asked me if I was sleeping with him or anything. I haven’t broken any rules.”

Now he was sorry she was so smart. “You didn’t tell me about Luka. Letting me know is implied in our relationship.”

Her brows rose. “You didn’t tell me you were sleeping with Ellen.”

He came up off the bed. “How do you know that?”

Her smile turned smug. “I saw you sneaking out of her room at like five in the morning. You weren’t fully dressed and I just knew.”

He swore silently for about twenty seconds. “Are you mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Are you threatened? Are you worried my relationship with Ellen displaces you?”

“No. Why? Oh, right. Because of Mom.” She shook her head. “I like Ellen. She’s great. I’m fine with you two being together.” She shifted to her knees. “Dad, you can’t be mad at her anymore. I’m the one who asked her not to say anything. She was really upset when she found us and wanted to tell you right away. It’s my fault, not hers.”

He was less sure about that, but this wasn’t the time. He had bigger problems to deal with at home.

“I don’t like that you’re sleeping with Luka.”

She studied him. “Is it the sex in general, or sex with him?”

“Sex with anyone.”

She smiled. “So you like Luka.”

“Not anymore.” He sank onto the desk chair. “My head hurts.”

“You should have had boys.”

“The thought has crossed my mind.” He met her gaze. “Tell me he’s using a condom.”

“Every time.”

“And he’s good to you?”

She flushed and dropped her gaze. “Dad, trust me. You don’t want to have that talk with me.”

True, but someone had to. “Pushing you beyond what you want to do is never okay. And when you’re together, it shouldn’t just be about him. You have, ah, crap.” He sucked in a breath. “You’re nearly grown and you have—”

He couldn’t do it. He could not discuss sexual satisfaction with his daughter. If that made him a wimp, he was okay with that.

“He should make you happy,” he hedged.

“Stop,” she said, covering her face with her hands. “I beg you, stop. Yes, he takes care of me first, Dad. It’s nice. I won’t let him do anything I don’t want him to do. He was a virgin, Dad. He told me.”

As if. “Guys say anything to get in a girl’s pants.”

“So you’ve explained countless times.” She flushed. “He didn’t know what to do or where to put it or anything. So I’m pretty sure it was his first time, too. We figured it out together. He’s a good guy. You should trust him.”

“I do. With anything but you.”

“Oh, Daddy. Can we please be done?”

He nodded, knowing he’d reached his limit. But that didn’t mean the problem was solved. Make that problems. He still had to decide what to do about Luka and figure out how make sure Lissa knew what good sex was supposed to be like and deal with Ellen, although she was the most confusing of all and how had this all happened so damn fast?

  Ellen watched Cooper stand at the barbecue, monitoring the chicken he’d put on the grill a few minutes ago. He was so much taller than he had been a couple of years ago, but the lankiness was the same. It would take him until his early twenties to put on all the muscle he wanted.

She knew that Keith was careful with the guys’ training. When they wanted to overtrain, he reminded them that they were still growing and adding too much muscle would mean they wouldn’t be as tall as they could be. It was enough to scare them into being sensible—something she appreciated.

She crossed to the outdoor table she’d already set. They were having a big green salad with their chicken. They’d both eaten plenty of junk food on the trip. She’d vowed they would have lots of vegetables and other healthy foods for the next few days to counteract the wildness. She’d already pureed the peaches she’d bought to freeze into a sorbet for dessert. So far Coop had only complained twice—a win in her book.

Life had returned to normal more quickly than she’d anticipated. Coop had done his laundry the day after they got home and had started his summer job. She was already working at the fruit stand in the afternoons. The only downside was she hadn’t heard from Keith. He’d left her standing in a parking lot nearly forty-eight hours ago and hadn’t been in touch with her since. She was going to give him until tomorrow, then she was going to find him and demand that he talk to her. She didn’t like him being mad at her and she didn’t think he was being fair.