“Can you go get him?” I asked.
“You’re scaring me,” my mother said.
“We’ll explain everything once Dad’s here.”
As soon as she left the room, Thayer and I sat. He didn’t release my hand, and I couldn’t believe how something so small made me feel so centered.
“Hey,” my dad said, following my mom into the room and kissing my cheek. “Glad you’re back.” He looked at Thayer. “Where’s Kason?”
“He’s still in Big Bear,” Thayer explained.
My dad’s brows furrowed.
I lifted our linked hands.
His eyes widened. “Okay, then.”
We all laughed awkwardly.
My mother leaned against the island beside my father and crossed her arms. “So, what happened?”
“I don’t even know where to start,” I began. “I ended it with Gino.”
“Was he surprised?” she asked.
“He sounded like he would’ve wanted to make it work if I did,” I explained.
“Clearly you didn’t,” my dad said, eyeing Thayer accusatorially.
“Clearly she didn’t,” Thayer said.
“But there’s more,” I said, causing them to all look to me. “I saw the guy who robbed the boutique.”
My mother gasped. “What?”
My father looked unsure about what I’d said. “Come again?”
“He knows Gino,” Thayer explained.
“But…” my mother began, likely trying to wrap her head around it.
“How can you be sure it was him?” my father asked, the same unsure expression on his face.
“When someone does something that horrific to you, you never forget their voice,” I explained.
“Did he recognize you?” my father asked.
I shook my head. “He didn’t even see me sitting there.”
“What did Gino say?” my mother asked.
“I rushed out of there before Gino even knew I was there. There was no way I could face him after learning the truth.”
My parents both looked confused and unsure what the truth was. Hell, I had no idea what the truth was.
“We’re not sure,” Thayer began gently, “if he and Gino were working together.”
My father slammed his hands down on the island. “I’ll kill him.”