Page 85 of The Penalty

“What. Did. You. Say?” Kylie emphasizes each word through gritted teeth.

Tyler sighs. “Kylie, listen—”

“No. Don’t ‘Kylie listen’ me. Tell me what you just said.”

Tyler swallows, and I wish more than anything I could reach out and grab his hand, but I know that wouldn’t make this situation any better. “I said, ‘bye baby, I love you.’”

“Mhmm, and why exactly did you tell my best friend that you love her?”

I brace myself for a lie that doesn’t come. I know he’s decided to tell her the truth. As much as I wanted this to happen, I wasn’t prepared for it this morning and certainly not like this.

“Because I do.”

Kylie stands there stunned for a moment too long. She looks from Tyler to me over and over again as if trying to compute what is happening.

“Kylie, McKenzie and I have been seeing each other—”

She doesn’t let him continue. “Seeing each other? Are you kidding me? This is sick. You could be her father.”

“Kylie—” I start to defend him, but she doesn’t let me.

“No. You don’t get to say anything yet.” She turns her attention back to her dad. “You realize how disturbing this is.”

“I understand how it could be perceived from an outsider, yes,” Tyler says.

“And you’re just ok with that?”

“No. I’m not, Kylie. This certainly hasn’t been easy. We tried to stop.”

She scoffs. “Yeah, looks like you tried real fucking hard.”

“Kylie, please. You have to understand—”

“Are you two sleeping together?” she asks, as if the thought just popped into her head.

Tyler and I stay silent.

“Oh, God.” She looks at me. “You’re sleeping with my dad? I’m going to be sick.” She turns and opens the door to leave.

“Kylie, please wait,” I call out to her. “It’s not just sex. We made an emotional connection way before it turned physical. It’s more than what you’re probably thinking right now.”

“Really? Because I’m thinking my dad preyed on someone almost half his age. Someone he took in when she needed help. And that my best friend has been lying to me for who knows how long. Someone I thought I could trust but was probably just using me like everyone else to get to my dad.”

“No. That’s not true. I—”

“I don’t want to hear it right now.” She turns to leave again.

“Kylie,” Tyler calls out, and she bounds down the stairs.

“I don’t want to talk to either of you. Leave me alone.” She climbs in her car and speeds off down the driveway.

“Fuck!” Tyler yells, making me jump. He hits the door with his fist.

“Tyler!”

“Sorry. Sorry. I just really fucked that up.” He tugs at his hair.

“I-I don’t know what to do.” I look to the door where Kylie just left and back to Tyler.