Baited Truth
Page 17
He choked out a sob. It was the first time I'd seen him cry. Even at mom's funeral, he was stoic. He was doing his damndest to hold it back now, but another sob slipped free.
"I'm sorry if you feel I stole that time from you. Time you could have spent with your mother. You have no idea how hard it was to watch you grow up and not get to be the proud father. Not getting to scare your prom date to keep his hands to himself using a twelve-gauge shotgun. Not getting to pass along fatherly advice, wiping away your tears when that asshat Brandon broke your heart in seventh grade."
We both chuckled, my head resting on his shoulder.
"I get it, dad." His cheek came down to rest atop my head. "I'm not angry, and I don't feel like you stole anything from me. I just needed to understand, and now I do. I don't fault you or mom for anything. You did your best. And I gotta say, you obviously did something right, because look how freaking awesome your daughter turned out."
The gang walked up while we were laughing.
"What's so funny?" Grant asked, concern etched in the lines of his face. I'm sure it was easy for everyone to see that I'd just been crying, but they pretended not to notice my swollen, red eyes.
"Dad was just saying how much he likes the name I came up with for our team."
Everyone groaned. "You guys have got to stop groaning every time I talk! It's hard not to take that shit personally!"
Nick rolled his eyes. "What else do you expect us to do when you inform us we will be referred to as The Renegade Brigade?"
Deebo grabbed another box off the truck and laughed. "Oh, hell no. I am not getting involved in this." Smart guy, that one. He knew better than to cross me.
"I expect high fives and gold stars all around, of course."
Grant reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of gold star stickers. I squealed and jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and peppering his face with kisses. "You love me! You really love me! My very own Prince Charming. Gold stars for everyone!"
More groans.
At least Grant was laughing.
"You're nuts, you know that?" He asked me, nibbling on my lower lip, turning my pout into a big grin.
"Yep. Hope you like nuts, coz you're stuck with me!"
Grant frowned while everyone else grabbed more stuff off the truck. "That does not sound right."
"Sure it does!" I hopped off of him and onto the truck bed. "Attention!" I shouted through cupped hands, fully planning to announce to anyone nearby that my boyfriend loved nuts. Grant yanked me down though, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, slapping me on the ass.
"I'll show you nuts," he teased as I bounced around like a ragdoll.
"Promises, promises."