Wade
“I’m sorry,” I say as I catch up to her.
She doesn’t reply. Instead, she puts the other AirPod in her ear and continues walking as if I don’t exist.
I deserve that. She’s being stubborn, yes, but I also royally messed up. I lost my cool. I’m normally great at pausing and thinking before speaking, but I went through a roller coaster of emotions. I was scared she was hurt, and then so relieved to see her. The fear of losing her and never speaking the words I love you out loud to her was more than I could bear. I lost my cool without thinking, and now, I’ve made a fool of myself. All the hard work I’ve put in to show her that she can trust me and that I’m different was obliterated in a matter of seconds.
“C’mon, Sutton. Please.”
I reach out and touch her arm, but she barely flinches. She hurries up the steps and into the guest house, locking the door behind her as she does.
Damn it.
I’m fuming as I pace the barn, replaying Sutton’s stubborn streak over and over in my head. She’s infuriating, thinking she can handle everything herself without asking for help. I’m about to head back out when Caleb walks in, leaning casually against the barn door, arms crossed like he’s got something on his mind.
“You okay, Dad?” he asks, but there’s a knowing look in his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I grumble. “Just frustrated.”
“With Sutton?” he chuckles.
“What?” I snap.
Shit. I’m a little too hyped up.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly.
He doesn’t flinch. Instead, he stands a little straighter and looks me directly in the eye.
“Dad, you’ve gotta back off her a little bit. That wasn’t cool.”
“What wasn’t cool?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“Grabbing her and kissing her in front of everyone, then chewing her out like she’s a kid,” Caleb replies. “It was probably incredibly confusing for her. We all can tell you two like each other, but you’re treating her like a child, not a partner.”
That’s exactly what she said. Shit, if Caleb thinks it, too, then maybe I was even more out of line than I originally thought.
I stare at him, stunned. “I didn’t mean to…”
“I know you didn’t mean to,” Caleb interrupts. “But it’s what you’re doing. She’s strong, Dad. She’s smart. She doesn’t need you hovering over her like she’s helpless. She needs you to trust her.”
I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m just… I’m scared, Caleb. I’m terrified that something will happen to her, and I don’t know what I’d do.”
“I get that. Things aren’t good with her dad. As far as I can tell, he never trusted her instincts or even gave her credit for all the good she’s done. Well, at least not to her face. You treatingher like she’s a child, like she doesn’t know any better, is kind of just like her dad.”
I blow out a long breath, feeling as though my son just slapped me across the face with his truth bomb.
I take a deep breath, nodding slowly. “You’re right. Damn it, you’re right. How did I not realize that?”
He smirks. “Glad you finally admitted it. It’s easier for me to see than you, especially when so much emotion is involved.”
I chuckle, clapping him on the shoulder. “Thanks, kid. When did you get so wise?”
“Learned from you,” he laughs. “Unfortunately, you’re blinded by Sutton or something because you seem to have forgotten how to act.”
That’s an understatement.
He walks out of the barn, and I’m left alone to gather my thoughts. Caleb’s words hit harder than I’d like to admit. He’s right—I’ve been so focused on protecting Sutton that I’ve been smothering her. That’s not what she needs from me. If I’m going to help her, I need to do it the right way.
