Harkham's Corner (Harkham's Series Book 3) by Chanse Lowell, Lynch Marti Read Free Book Online Page A

for him to join him inside his office.
    “I’m sick over something with Thomas. Remember I told you I was going to court because he was making me crazy?” Adam took a seat.
    “I remember.” His dad nodded and took a seat as well. “I didn’t know what that meant, but I could tell you wanted privacy on the matter, so I didn’t press. I figured you know I trust you and anytime you want to talk about anything at all, I’m here for you.” His dad drummed his fingers on his desk.
    “I need you to keep it to yourself—that’s why I didn’t tell you,” Adam blurted. “I don’t want Amelia to know. And I didn’t think it would be fair to tell you something I wanted you to keep secret from her since you love her. I love Mari, and I don’t lie to her. I tell her everything. You told me that was important. So, I’m being mean by asking you to keep this from her. Are you okay with this?”
    His father nodded, and his mouth dropped a little. He tensed in his seat. “I can do whatever you need.”
    “You’re not gonna get mad at me for keeping this from her?”
    His dad sighed and shook his head. “Believe it or not, you come first, Adam. Always. I do what’s right for you. If you say don’t tell her, unless I think it’ll harm you not to, then I keep it to myself.” His shoulders relaxed.
    Adam took a deep breath and told his father what Thomas was doing. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t feel like this is something I want Amelia to know. I just want her to respect me and think I’m still progressing and doing better, but after that last bad episode . . . It feels like I’m back to where I started. Why does that man make my head so crazy?”
    His dad opened the drawer to his desk. “What does Mari think?”
    “She says I should ask him what he wants from me.” Adam groaned and dragged his hands down his cheeks and jaw. “She thinks he’s trying to figure out how to connect with me, but I don’t want to connect with him. I was being nice by giving him a gift. I didn’t know what else to give him—not like you. I know what you like to do, and what you enjoy.” His eyes turned to slits. “I don’t know that man. I only knew he liked music. I took some clips online of his voice, recording my part, mixed them and then added my own beats. I gave him a CD of it. He liked it, so I put it on YouTube. He shared it with people, and they wanted to buy it. So, you know what he did? He set up that damned website, and had you give me the money.”
    “Sounds like he’s trying to be nice back and honor you.” His dad smiled, but his eyes were grumpy at the corners.
    “Then why is he bringing me to court so he has some rights to it? He wants money. That’s what I think.” Adam turned his face away. Tears were gathering at the edges. He blinked until it dried out.
    “I don’t know what to tell you. He didn’t approach me about the money—your mother did. I told her you needed extra funds, so even though I didn’t want to deal with them, I agreed. All for you. I want you happy. I wanted you to get out of that one bedroom apartment.”
    Adam stood up and sighed. “He should go back to not existing in my life.”
    “I don’t think he can. Can anyone walk away from you?”
    “Plenty of people do.” Adam frowned.
    “Not really.” His dad set a hand on his shoulder. “The second someone really knows you, they care about you. Do you know how many of our patients ask for you over me? I’m the one running this place, and I’ve been their doctor for years, but they like you. They ask for my apprentice, and they call you that because that’s what you told them to call you.” His dad chuckled.
    “You’re just being nice.” Adam lunged at him, hugged his dad tight and then left.
    They had work to do.
    “There he is! The apprentice!” one of his clients yelled out.
    Mrs. Fahey approached him, shook his hand and his dad gave him the eyebrow that said, “See? Told ya.”
    Adam grinned and helped her