"Jennifer?"
Daddy's voice came over the line in a mixture of relief coupled with an edge of concern and worry that was hard to ignore. "Baby girl, I've been trying to get a hold of you for an hour. Why haven't you picked up or at least texted me back?"
"Oh Daddy, I'm so sorry." I offered almost at once knowing I needed to be careful not to betray myself and what I'd done not even two hours before. "Beverly and I had just gotten to talking in the car and you know how she is. I must have muted my phone and I only just thought to check my messages before I called you."
It was a weak, almost flimsy excuse but in truth entirely believable when it came to Beverly. So Daddy didn't think to question me further given that clearly, he had other things on his mind at the moment.
"Speaking of your Mother. She hasn't gotten back yet. Is she still out there with you?"
"No, I don't think so..."
I let the words hang in the air for a moment. "Beverly dropped me off but that's the last I saw of her. I thought she was heading home."
Daddy was silent for a moment more.
"Daddy?" I said in trying not to inject too much concern into my voice. " Daddy if you're worried or you want me to come home early I can grab a ride from Stephanie if you want?"
Daddy was silent for a moment or two longer before finally offering a soft sigh. "No Baby Girl, have fun with your friends. I'll see you when you get home."
"Okay, Daddy."
--
Honestly, after everything that she had done to us over the years, I couldn't believe it when Daddy had decided to not only let Beverly back into our lives but also into our home.
The task of helping Daddy move his home office from the spare room into the Master bedroom fell to me as usual given that Daddy's understanding of computers was limited to looking at a screen and clicking the mouse. All this so that Beverly would be able to stay in the spare room. Not that it really mattered much given that I already knew that no sooner was she back in the house that she and Daddy had started sleeping together again.
My sense of betrayal and anger was nearly overwhelming and It had taken me almost the whole week that followed my Dad's announcement to calm down enough to get my head on straight again. It was only after I was finally able to think straight again that I was finally able to see this for the opportunity that it was.
As I had said before Daddy knew shit about computers and with Beverly's untimely return and the relocation of his home office to the master bedroom. It was simple enough to set up remote access to his laptop and use the built-in webcam and microphone to both see and hear what was going on late at night behind closed doors.
--
Stephanie has been my best friend since almost the first day that Daddy and I moved to Elder Lake and while it was not really a secret the fact remains that she has had a crush on me for almost as long. Elder Lake however is a small community and while she isn't afraid to express those feelings openly. She also isn't too keen on the idea of admitting to those feelings in public either.
It was just before midnight when we finally arrived at my house. Stephanie's lips finding mine in the dark once and then again as her hand rested lightly on my thigh. Her fingers lightly brushing against my sex through the fabric of my shorts.
"Steph!" I objected, groaning softly as I bit my lower lip. My hands reaching so I could touch her cheek as I could look deeply into her eyes. I won't lie, at that moment, I really really wanted things to go further but I was also well aware that tonight, at least, I couldn't let them.
Stephanie gave a soft laugh drawing back just enough to give me some room to breathe.
"I know you want to." She teased as her hand squeezed lightly before moving slowly up my thigh and pressing firmly against my warmth of sex.
" I can't Steph, Not tonight," I spoke softly not wanting to hurt her feelings.
"We're still on for next weekend though right?" She inquired, hopefully glancing away almost afraid that I might have changed my mind.
I kissed her lips again giving a quick nod of my head to dispel her worry. "Of course silly. It's just gonna be you and me and the Lakehouse all next weekend. Just like I promised."
The excitement returning to her expression was easy to see but then again Stephanie had always been easy to read.
"Now get your ass home." I teased her. "Before that Mother of yours gets it into her head that I'm corrupting the morals of her good little girl and calls my Daddy to complain again."
"Step-Mother." Stephanie quickly corrected.
"Step-bitch is more like it." I couldn't help but fire back as I opened the car door to get out.