Just when I think it’s going to dissolve into a physical altercation, Tim bows his head and closes his eyes.
I hurry across the room, rushing up to them. Placing my hand on Tim’s face, I get him to look at me. “Tim, if you’re in trouble, then so are we. Lauren’s not going to let up. She’s going to keep coming at us and you know it. The only way any of us are going to come out on top is if we stick together and take her down. But in order to do that, we need you to be honest with us.”
He gazes at me sadly, trying to make up his mind.
“If I tell you the truth, it’s only going to put you in more danger, not less,” Tim moans, leaning his head back against the fridge.
“Why don’t you let us decide that for ourselves,” I urge him. “After all that we’ve been through, we’re not afraid.”
“Well you should be,” Tim insists. “Because when it comes down to it, you’re not dealing with Lauren.” He pauses, taking a shaky breath. “You’re dealing with her father.”
Chapter Seventeen
Eric
“What did you say?” I shout, going toe-to-toe with Tim as Ivy backs quickly away.
“You heard me,” Tim responds sullenly, the aggression draining out of him.
“Yeah, but what did you mean by that?” Ivy asks from across the room, her hands clutching her baby bump.
Tim motions toward the table. “Let’s sit down.”
“Let’s not,” I snarl, blocking his way around me.
“Eric, it’s a long story, and I need to start at the beginning,” Tim protests. “And you know Ivy shouldn’t be on her feet.”
“Ivy shouldn’t be disturbed either, but you already took care of that,” I snap back, worried about the way she’s holding her stomach.
“C’mon, Eric,” Ivy insists, pulling out a chair. “The least we can do is hear him out.”
“How do we know this isn’t another one of Lauren’s lies?” I peer into his eyes, and he doesn’t even blink.
“Because what I’m going to tell you is damaging to her family, and she’d do anything to keep it from getting out. And I do mean anything,” Tim divulges, emphasizing the risk he’s taking.
Ivy twiddles her thumbs nervously, waiting for us to sit down. I run my hand across my chin and stare a moment out the window, unsure of what to do. Tim is willing to let us in on something major, but what if it brings even more trouble to our doorstep? Ivy’s in such a touch-and-go place. Anything could tip the balance and send her rushing to the emergency room. She wants to hear what Tim has to say, but I don’t know if that’s such a wise decision. I have to think about her. She’s too caught up in all of this to put herself first. She wants answers for me, but I don’t want them if they’re just going to endanger her. She’s been doing so well since she got back. I can’t let Tim jeopardize that just because he wants to relieve the guilt he’s been carrying around by getting things off his chest.
“I don’t think this is such a good idea—” I begin, and Ivy sighs deeply.
“Eric, I’m fine,” she insists, patting the seat next to her. “If Mr. Price has something to do with this, I want to know.”
“Mr. Price,” Tim laughs bitterly.
“Well, that’s what I’ve always called him,” Ivy goes on. “Ever since I was a little kid.”
“He was friendly to you, was he?” Tim smirks, kicking his heel against the refrigerator grate.
“Yeah. He was always nice to me,” Ivy admits, confused. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Probably more than you know.” Tim grimaces, shuffling past me as he grabs a chair and twirls it around so he can sit on it backwards. “As far as I’m concerned, he sure doesn’t deserve your respect.”
“Quit the cryptic bullshit,” I retort. “What the hell are you getting at?”
“That powerful men in positions of authority tend to think they can get away with anything,” Tim replies as I reluctantly take the seat next to Ivy.
“That might be true, but Conrad Price never did anything to me,” Ivy relates, shrugging her shoulders.
“Never stared at you a second too long? Never rubbed your back while giving you a hug?” Tim questions her.
“To be honest, I haven’t seen him in years. After he divorced Ryan’s mom, we didn’t exactly travel in the same circles,” Ivy explains, making me wonder where Tim’s going with this.
“Well, good for you. Then I take it you were never of legal age around this creep?” Tim inquires, letting his hands dangle over the back of the chair.