Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
His response sends a bolt of relief through me—the first I've felt in days, I think. I actually smile. And then laugh. "As if she'd let herself be stolen away from you, Dad."
"Not risking it, sweetheart. Especially not for a miserable prick like Donny. Let's just say that he won't have a company before the month is out. And I referred his wife to the best goddamn divorce lawyer in the state." He sounds pleased with himself. "He'll be lucky if she leaves him a pot to piss in when she's done."
"She deserves all his stuff," I mutter. After thirty years at his side, she deserves sainthood.
"He and I had a civil discussion. He knows the consequences of coming anywhere near you now."
For some reason, I do not think his idea of a civil discussion and mine are the same. I'm guessing his probably involved flying fists and a lot of threats. But he isn't in jail, and Donny would have to be an idiot to risk bothering me again now, so I'm taking the win for what it is.
"Thank you," I whisper to him, a lump in my throat.
"You don't ever have to thank me for taking care of you and your sisters, sweetheart. It's my job as your dad. And frankly, it's the best goddamn job I've ever had."
"I love you."
"I love you, too. You going to come home soon?"
"Maybe when Wyatt gets back."
"Figured as much." Dad hesitates for a long moment and then sighs. "The worst part of parenthood is realizing your babies are all grown up and need someone else more than they need you."
"I'll always need you," I protest softly.
"I know, but I also know you need Trystan more, baby girl. You always have."
"I…" I don't know what to say to that because he's right. But is this the right time to tell him that I've been in love with Trystan for most of my life? Is there a right time to tell him that the little boy he watched grow into a man stole my heart long before I even knew what that meant? I don't know, so I don't say it.
He sighs into the phone, exactly like he knows what I'm not saying. But he doesn't push. He never does.
"Your mama wants to talk to you, sweetheart."
"Okay," I whisper. "Love you."
"Love you, too."
Shuffling sounds down the line, and then I hear my mom's voice in my ear.
"Hey, baby girl!"
"Hey." I swallow hard. "I'm sorry I worried you when I ran off."
"Hey," she practically croons to me, as gentle and forgiving as ever. "It's okay, Clo-bug. Sometimes, we need space to figure things out ourselves without everyone else chiming in."
I'm not entirely sure if she's talking about the Donny situation…or Trystan. "Yeah," I whisper anyway. "I guess we do."
"You're doing okay now? Trystan is taking care of you?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. And he's been fine. Good."
"Then I'm happy for you," she says without pushing me to give more than I'm ready to give. And maybe that's what has me so ready to tell her everything.
"Mama, I…" I expel a sharp breath. "You know, don't you? The way I feel about him, I mean."
"Yeah, Clo. I know. It's been written all over your face for a long time."
"Does Dad know?"
"I think he's figuring it out."
"Is he mad?"
"Of course not," she says, like she's surprised. "Why would you even think that?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just worried that everyone will think we're tearing the family apart or something. I don't know." That's not entirely it, though. It's more…Trystan has been my deepest, darkest secret for most of my life. Telling everyone feels a little like letting them into a place that's always been reserved only for him.
I'm selfish and I don't want to share, especially when I finally know what it's like to be an us instead of just a wish. I want to hang onto that feeling for as long as possible instead of letting anyone else inside. I don't want them to rock the boat. I don't want anyone to have a say. I just want…him. The same way and with the same desperation I've always felt.
"Love could never do that, baby girl," my mom says gently. "He's been part of our family for a long time. That won't change just because the parameters of your relationship do. We'll simply get to love him in a new way, as a son."
"Mom," I whisper, tears springing to my eyes.
"There's no rush, sweet girl," she says. "You two take all the time you want. Just know that we're all cheering for you. We're all right here waiting for you. And no one is going to be mad at either of you."
"Wyatt might."
"He'll get over it. He always does when it comes to you girls."
I smile because she's right. Wyatt has never been able to hold a grudge for long. My sisters and I wear him down every time. Probably because he lets us. He hates being mad at us as much as we hate it when he's mad at us.