LIB

Chapter 26

           I felt Blake’s whole body stiffen and he slowly turned his body towards the doorway. “What the hell are you doing here?” he spat.

            Even I was a little shocked at the venom in his voice. I knew he hated his parents, especially his father, but the anger and resentment radiating off him was so extreme that I almost flinched away from him. I leaned forward a little so I could get a better look at Blake’s father.

            He was tall and well built, with brown hair and hazel eyes. His facial features were similar to Blake’s, but his seemed harder somehow. He didn’t even acknowledge me as he gazed steadily at his son. “I came to see you, of course. Your mother and I are staying for a couple of days.”

            Blake stood up abruptly and took a threatening step forward. “Like hell you are! I don’t want you anywhere near me. Just turn around and go back to where you came from.” His body was shaking in anger.

            I stood up as well and laid a gentle hand on his back. He tensed even more for a moment before relaxing slightly. I didn’t say anything, just kept my hand on him to give him support.

            His dad’s eyes shifted to me for the first time and he regarded me emotionlessly. “Who is this?”

            Blake shifted so that he was standing in front of me, blocking his father’s view of me. “That’s none of your business,” he said harshly. I moved a little so that I could peer around Blake to see his father.

            “You’re my son, of course it’s my business,” the older man replied.

            Blake gave a humorless laugh. “I stopped being your son the day you sent me to live here because you couldn’t handle a disabled person being part of your family.”

            His father didn’t even flinch at the words. “I did what I thought was best,” he replied.

            “Well, you’re a complete idiot, but I knew that already,” Blake said.

            “Don’t use that tone with me, boy,” his father said, showing emotion for the first time.

            “I’ll use whatever tone I want to use, old man. Now get the hell out of here. I don’t want to have to deal with you, Robert.”

            This time, Robert flinched a little. I think the use of his first name cut him a little, but he quickly composed himself. “Your mother and I are staying for a few days Blake, so get used to it.”

            Blake suddenly turned to me. “Can I stay at your place for a few days?” he asked.

            “Of course. But do you really want to subject yourself to the annoying questions from Jake the whole time?” I asked teasingly. Since Jake was still having trouble with his memory, he often forgot that he’d already accepted Blake. Therefore, Blake got the third degree from him almost daily. Sometimes I got the feeling that Jake did remember Blake, but he just enjoyed torturing him.

            Blake smiled a little and put his arms around me. “I can handle your brother, don’t worry. Plus, we can always go to a hotel if he annoys us too much.”

            “Hmm, and just what makes you think I want to go to a hotel with you?” I asked.

            He bent his head to brush his lips against mine lightly. “You didn’t complain the last time we were there,” he replied in a murmur.