Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(44)

Satisfied Victor wasn’t lurking in the aisles, I went straight for the coffee machine. I pulled off my gloves and stuffed them into my pockets before dispensing the steaming liquid into a paper cup. After adding lots of cream and sugar, I was paying for it when the bell above the door rang and Jonah walked in, looking a slightly out of breath.

The sight of him in his leather coat and well-worn jeans caused me to release a relieved breath.

“Want anything?” I asked as I handed some cash to the clerk.

Silently, he shook his head. Then he waited until the transaction was finished, took my coffee from me, and led me outside by the hand where his Jeep was parked.

After opening the door and waiting until I was seated to hand me back my coffee, he closed it again and came around to get in on the driver’s side, all without saying a word.

Once the engine was running and the heat was going, he looked at me and waited.

“Did you see that tall guy in the Quick Mart? I think it was Bruce Willis.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Bruce Willis?”

I nodded.

“Shopping in the Glenn Valley Quick Mart at ten o’clock on a Friday night?”

I nodded again. “I really think it was him. I’m good at spotting celebrities. I once saw Sarah Jessica Parker at the Tasty Freeze in Ryberg. She doesn’t like chocolate dip on her ice cream, in case you were wondering.”

“Candy.” He said my name on a soft breath.

I looked down at the steaming coffee in my hands, wanting to take a sip. But I was trembling so hard, I was afraid to raise it to my lips.

Jonah took the cup from me and set it down in the cup holder. Then he took both my hands in his. “Are you okay?”

Looking down at our hands, I nodded, but then I decided there was no point in pretending. “I’m not okay. Your father scares me to death.”

Jonah released a ragged sigh. “Why didn’t you tell me about the dinner?”

I took my hands back and picked up my coffee again, determined to drink some this time. After managing a tentative sip, I held on to it and formed the lie in my head before I said it out loud. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know if I would learn anything. I wanted to go there first.”

Jonah’s expression didn’t change as his eyes reflected the light coming through the windshield from the Quick Mart.

“Your father somehow knew about the dinner, but he didn’t tell you?”

“I guess neither of you told me.” He gave me a stiff smile, obviously not pleased that his father kept it from him too.

“How do you think he knew? Is he following me?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, looking tired.

I sank down further into the seat. “What if he’s still at my house, waiting for me? Have you talked to him tonight? Do you know where he is?”

“No,” he said, sounding unsure. “I’ll go in your house with you. It will be fine.”

“Will it? If he tried to hurt me, would you stop him?”

Jonah look surprised at my question before he frowned. “He’s not going to hurt you.”

“He hurt my father.” And he hurt your mother. I swallowed back the words I couldn’t say.

“Your father pointed a gun at him. He doesn’t want to hurt you, Candy. You don’t need to be scared of him.”

You’re scared of him, I wanted to say, recalling how tense he became around his father.

“He’s broken into my house how many times? He can even get around the alarm now. How am I supposed to stay there, knowing he could walk right into my bedroom while I’m asleep?”

Reaching over, he laid his hand on my forearm. “If it makes you feel better, I could stay with you.”

I let out a miserable laugh.

“What?” he asked.

“That’s like asking the wolf to watch the sheep. We’re not talking about just anyone here. This is your father. If you’re wrong about him, would you really be willing to stand up to him?”

He moved his hand to the wheel, his expression one of indulgence. “I’m the wolf here, and you’re the sheep? I’d never liken you to a sheep, Candy. A bear or a lion, maybe.”

I pursed my lips, even though I didn’t mind the comparison so much. Who wanted to be a sheep?

“Look, you just have to tell him what you learned from the Hoyts. That’s the deal you made. If he thinks you’re reneging, he’s obviously not going to like it. You can’t be surprised by that.”

I looked at Jonah but said nothing. He would always defend his father. Nothing I said would change his mind.

He checked his side mirror and pulled out into the street. We drove in silence, and a few minutes later my house was in sight.

“Do you want to wait in the car or come in with me?” he asked, parking in front.

“I’ll come in with you.” It was preferable to waiting outside alone.

The house was dark as if no one was home, but that was how it looked before too. I got out of the Jeep and stilled, hesitating to go inside.

“Key,” he said, holding his hand out.

Not sure if he’d even need it, I fished through my bag and held it out to him. Then I followed him up the walkway.

Jonah found the door locked and used the key to let himself in. I stalled in the doorway while he walked inside and flipped on light switches. The whole house lit up as I stood there, listening to Jonah move through each room.