by E. L. Todd
Ugh, this is so annoying.
“Good evening, sir. Taking your girlfriend out?”
Girlfriend? I was half his age. “Daughter.”
“Oh, my mistake.” She smiled then took out her pad of paper, ready to take our order.
“I’ll have the pear gorgonzola salad,” my dad said politely.
“You watch your weight,” the woman said. “And it shows…”
I’m going to gag.
“And you, kid?”
Kid? “I’ll have the meat lasagna.”
“Excellent choice.” She turned back to Dad. “Anything else, sir? Some wine, perhaps?” She shifted her weight and shook her hips at the same time. She batted her eyelashes and stuck out her chest.
Did she not see his wedding ring? “Could you not hit on my dad for a second so we can have dinner together?” I was hardly catty, but this obvious disrespect really pissed me off. His wedding band was in plain sight.
My dad smirked, amused.
The waitress scowled. “Of course.” Then she turned on her heel and walked away.
She was totally going to spit in my food.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Does that happen all the time?”
“Pretty much.” He said it like he was bored.
“Geez, it must drive Mom up the wall.”
He laughed. “No, she doesn’t lose any sleep over it. Your mother knows she has nothing to worry about.”
My parents were still in love even all these years later. My dad looked at my mom like she was the only thing that mattered. He often tucked her hair behind her ear then kissed the shell. He still held her hand when they walked anywhere.
“If some girl was hitting on my boyfriend like that, I wouldn’t be so cool about it.”
My dad gave me a hard look, examining me like I was under a microscope. “You have a boyfriend?”
Shit. “No…I just meant hypothetically.” I hated lying to my dad. It wasn’t something I usually did, but I didn’t want to introduce a guy to my father unless he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. My dad was overprotective to the point of insanity. I didn’t want to deal with his aggression every time I was seeing someone. I’d rather only go through it once, and I wasn’t sure if Zack was the one… It was too soon to tell.
He continued to stare at me. It was like he could see right through me. If he knew everything about me, he probably already knew I was dating someone even though that would be a huge violation of privacy. But he didn’t question it. “Is there a reason why you’ve never had a boyfriend? Or are you lying to me?” The intensity settled over his eyes and darkness shined.
Sometimes my father scared me. He never yelled or raised his voice, but his quiet intimidation was worse. And the disappointed look on his face just made me feel lower than dirt. “If you know everything about me, you should be able to answer that question.”
“I know every professor you have. I know every crime committed on campus and within a three-mile radius from your apartment. I know every single neighbor and their criminal record. I made sure there isn’t a single sexual predator within ten miles of you by personally having them removed. I know what your class schedule is, and I know all of your academic activities. Yes, I keep tabs on you. I won’t deny that. But I’ve never stuck my nose into your personal life nor will I ever. Your business is your business.”
Now I felt like a jerk. My dad was psychotic but I guess he wasn’t as crazy as I thought.
“Being two hours away makes me concerned for your safety. It’s my job to take care of you. I—”
“I’m an adult. No, it isn’t.”
“Don’t. Interrupt. Me. Again.”
I fell silent, knowing I couldn’t match my dad in a fight. Like a lawyer, he could turn everything around on me. And like a genius, he was always one step ahead of me.
“I will always look after you, even if I can’t physically be there. That’s my job and I take it very seriously. I pay attention to your school activities because I will never miss anything that’s important to you, whether you want me to be there or not.” He stared me down, not blinking.
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
I wasn’t sure.
“For interrupting me? Or for lying to me?”
This just got tense. My dad could be the scariest guy in the world. He babied me because I was his daughter, but he didn’t go easy on me when he was upset. He gave me the same dark look he gave my brother. He was the only person I knew who was more intimidating when he was calm than when he was angry.
“Skye, why don’t you tell me about your school functions? Why do I have to show up uninvited?” He rested his hands in his lap.
“I know you’re busy…”
“I’m never too busy for you.”
“I know you have a lot going on and I don’t want you to drop everything for me.”
He paused before he spoke. “You want to know something your grandfather taught me?”
“Sure…”
“Work can never be more important than family. It’s just a job, Skye. I will never skip out on my family to work. Nothing is more important than you, Roland, and your mother. I don’t come to these things out of obligation. I come because I want to be here. I will never miss a dance recital or a business conference. I will always be there. Don’t ever worry about me being busy.”
I looked down at the table, unable to meet his gaze.
“Have you ever called me and I didn’t answer?”
“No…”
“Have you ever had any event that I wasn’t there for?”
“No.”
“Holiday?”
My voice became weak. “No.”
“That will never change, Skye. You know what I want?”
“What?”
“For you to call me and invite me. I’m sorry I did something to make you think you were bugging me, because you never have. I hope this talk straightened that out.”
“It did.” I looked up again.
“Skye, I love you so much. Somehow I love you more every day. You’re such a beautiful girl, just like your mother. You’re smart and funny. Sometimes I can’t believe I made you.” The affection was in his eyes. “You’re my whole world. Somehow, I love you, your brother, and your mother more than anything else on this planet.”
“I love you too, Dad.” He was making me teary-eyed.
He reached across the table and put his hand on mine. He left it there for a moment before he pulled away. “Now, can we try this again?”
I sighed. “Okay.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Ugh. I couldn’t lie to him again. “No comment.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “What?”
“I don’t want to talk about my personal life with you.”
“Why?”
“Do I really need to answer that? When my date picked me up for prom, you threatened to kill him if he touched anything besides my hand.”
“I just wanted to get my point across.”
“So what makes you think I would tell you about a guy I’m seeing?”
He didn’t have a response to that. He pressed his lips together tightly. “Do you talk to your mother about it?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I didn’t want to throw my mom under the bus.
He caught the unease. “I won’t be upset if you say yes.”
“I do.”
“Are you honest with her?”
“Yes.” What did that mean?
He nodded. “Okay. I’m okay with that.”
Was I missing something? “Okay with what?”
“If your mother thought you were making bad decisions, she would intervene. If she hasn’t, that means you’re being a responsible young adult.”
“Of course, I am.”
“So, when will I meet a boyfriend?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. When I find the right one.”
“I just hope you don’t scare him away.”
He smirked. “If he really loves you, nothing will scare him off.”
“There’s no love strong enough.”
The waitress appeared and set my dad’s plate in front of him. Then she practically threw mine at me. She gave me a deep scowl then marched away, her anger evident in her swaying hips.
My dad smirked then switched our plates. “I have a feeling she spit in yours.”
“And you’re going to eat it?”
“I’m certainly not going to let my daughter eat it.”
I picked up my fork and picked at the lettuce. “Couldn’t you order something…better?”
“Your mom thinks I’m sexy. I want her to keep thinking that.”
I cringed. “You’re gross.”
“I’m gross? How do you think you got here?”
I cringed again. “Let’s just eat in silence.”
He picked up his fork and took a few bites, eating slowly.
The comfortable silence stretched between us. We ate quietly, just enjoying each other’s company. Even though we always butted heads, I was glad it happened. I felt closer to my dad, finally comfortable admitting that I did have boyfriends. And the fact he accepted it made me feel better. The guilt was gone. I didn’t feel like I needed to lie to him, which I never liked doing. “Dad?”
“Pumpkin?”
“I don’t just love you because you’re my dad. You’re the best role model I could ever ask for. You’re ruthless and ambitious but you’re generous and kind. You love Mom every single day and never take her for granted. You raised me and Roland not to be spoiled brats, and you loved us even when we were brats anyway. You put us first every single time, not caring about yourself. I’m so lucky to have you. I know most kids don’t have relationships with their fathers. A lot of dads don’t care about softball games and dance recitals. They don’t make an effort to always be there. But you do.” I picked at my salad and looked at my bowl, suddenly feeling self-conscious. When he didn’t say anything, I looked up.
A slight coat of moisture was visible in his eyes. Red was stained in the corners, growing more prominent with every passing second. He swallowed the lump in his throat, the emotion evident. When he blinked, the moisture disappeared. It happened so quickly I wasn’t sure if I saw it. “That means the world to me, Skye.”
I looked back down and ate my salad. I felt my father’s gaze burn my skin for a few seconds. Then he turned his attention to his own food, sinking back to the comfortable silence between us.
Chapter Five
Cayson
I ordered room service and ate pizza while I watched TV. I made sure it was charged to my credit card so Uncle Sean wouldn’t get a bill for it. I doubt he would notice, and if he did, he wouldn’t care, but that didn’t matter to me.
My phone rang and I looked at the screen, seeing my dad’s name. I rolled my eyes. He called me more often than my mom. “Hey.”
“Hey. How’s it going?”
“Good. You?”
“Good. I hear you’re in DC.”
“Sean?”
“Well, we work together. It was bound to come up.”
“But I didn’t see him until today.”
“It’s called a text message.”
“Dad, are you calling for a reason?”
“Just to check on you.”
“I’ve been out of the house for three years. You don’t need to check on me anymore.”
He laughed. “Yeah, that will never happen. So, doing okay in the crime capital of the nation?”
“And you think New York is any safer?”
“It’s safer than DC. Actually, everything is.”
“Well, I’m not sitting on the curb and counting my cash so I think I’ll be okay.”
“Do you ever get tired of being a smartass?”
“I guess I hang out with Slade too much, right?”
“Just a smidge.”
“Well, I’m doing okay so I’ll talk to you later.”
“When are you going back to Boston?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Can you do me a favor and call me when you get home?”
He was like a mother hen sometimes. “How about I just text you since you’re so fond of it?”
“As long as I know you’re safe, I don’t care how you tell me.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, Son.”
My dad said it every time we got off the phone. “I love you too, Dad.”
“Bye.”
I hung up.
The door opened and Skye walked inside, her father behind her.
“Thanks for dinner,” she said.
“Thank you for letting me walk you to the door.”
“Well, you didn’t give me much of a choice.” She rolled her eyes.
He smirked then hugged her, holding her for a long time. Even if Uncle Sean never said it, I knew how much he loved his daughter. He reminded me of my own father. He pulled away and kissed her forehead. “I love you, pumpkin.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
He turned to me. “I need a hug before I leave.”
“Coming right up.” I walked to him then embraced him.
Uncle Sean hugged me just as hard as he hugged his own daughter. “I love you too, kid.”
“I love you too.”
He clapped my shoulder and stepped away. “Thanks for escorting my daughter. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. She’s pretty cool—sometimes.”
He chuckled. “Good night.” He stepped out of the door then shut it behind him.
Skye immediately slipped off her heels. “God, my feet are killing me.”
“Foot massage?”
“No, it’s okay.” She limped to the couch then sat down. She examined the bottom of her feet, rubbing her thumbs into them.
I sat beside her. “Allow me. You just kicked ass tonight. You deserve some respite.”
“No, it’s—”
I pulled her feet into my lap and rubbed the muscle.
“Fucking amazing…” She leaned back and closed her eyes.
I chuckled then massaged her heel and the pad of her foot. Her feet were so small in my hands. A single hand was bigger than both of her feet put together. She was so petite and small.
She sighed quietly while I rubbed the aches and pains away.
“How was dinner?”
“Good. My father knows I have a boyfriend.”
“Because of his spies.”
“No. He could tell I was lying.”
“That doesn’t sound good…”
“He was actually pretty understanding and agreed to stay out of my business.”
“I’m sure it was a struggle for him. He’s extremely protective of you.”
“I know…but it was a good night. We had a heart-to-heart talk. I feel closer to him.”
I continued to rub her feet. “You’ve always been close.”
“Yeah, but now in a different way. Oh, and the waitress was all over him. So disgusting.”
“Your dad is a good-looking guy.”
She glared at me.
“What? He is. You think he’s ugly?”
“Well, no. But he’s old…”
“Isn’t he in his forties?”
“That’s ancient.”
“Girls like older men—especially when they are rich.”
“It just irritates me because he wears his wedding band every where he goes. People don’t respect marriage anymore or what?”
“Unfortunately, not everyone does.” My hands moved to her calves, massaging the tension away.
“I’m realizing that…” She sighed, closing her eyes again.
“Ready to go home tomorrow?”
“I just have to get through the conference and then we’ll leave.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Cayson, that feels so good but
you don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind—really.”
She rested an arm over her chest. “I couldn’t get Zack to do that even if I paid him.”
Why didn’t that surprise me? I loathed Zack with every fiber of my being. Not just because I had feelings for Skye, but because he didn’t appreciate her. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind he didn’t love her. I wasn’t sure what he felt for her, other than lust, but it definitely wasn’t love. I would tell her to leave him, but that would make me a jerk. Besides, I would hate anyone she dated.
Coming on this trip was a bad idea. I was supposed to focus on getting over her, forgetting about being with her. She and I made so much sense. We were perfect together. We were already best friends, and I knew we would be even greater lovers. But she didn’t see me that way. And she never would.
But when Trinity asked me to go with her, I couldn’t say no. I jumped on the opportunity quickly, knowing I would have a great time. Skye and I clicked on a different wavelength. We could be serious, having deep conversations with multiple meanings, and we could be laughing idiots having too much fun.
Why couldn’t she just see me in the same way? It would make my life so much easier. Getting laid was nice but it was still empty and meaningless. I didn’t want a one-night stand. I wanted a relationship—with Skye.
I needed to stop thinking like that. It wouldn’t change reality. I needed to move on—really move on.
“Can I ask you something?” she whispered.
“What?”
“Would it be too greedy if I ask you to rub my back? It’s killing me.”
I’d do anything for her. “Sure.”
She turned on her side, facing the back of the couch.
The only way for this to work was for me to lay behind her. It was a big couch so we could fit. I lay behind her, feeling my legs touch hers. Then I rubbed her back through her shirt, listening to her quiet moans. The tension was obvious in the muscles of her shoulders. She was tight and rigid. I rubbed her gently before I increased the pressure.
Her quiet moans ended when she fell asleep.
I continued to rub her, feeling my eyes grow heavy. I should’ve carried her to bed but I was too comfortable. Her hair was near my face and I could smell her scent. I gave into my weakness and did the thing I’d always wanted to do. I hugged her to my chest and fell asleep with her in my arms.