“Charlie girl,” my dad says, opening his arms.
I step into them with a sigh. “Hi, daddy.”
His arms tighten around me, my words warning him of how vulnerable I’m feeling at this moment. I only ever call him daddy when I need his comfort.
Dad places a kiss on the top of my head before stepping away, and Mom takes his place.
“Everything’s going to be okay, my love,” she whispers before letting me go.
My shoulders drop at her reassurance. I didn’t even realize that I was dreading this as much as Keaton. His cute little dramatics allowed me to focus on him instead of the upcoming meeting.
When I turn around to face Keaton, he’s got his shoulders shoved back, his arms loose at his side. He lifts his chin and stares at my father. “I’m ready, sir.”
Dad lifts a brow and folds his arms across his chest. “For what?”
“For you to crush my head between your super bulged arms.”
Keaton states it as if it were obvious. Norma, his mom, scoots over towards Mom and me, both of them anchoring their arms with mine as Keaton faces down our dads.
“You want me to hit you?” Dad clarifies.
“Yes, sir.”
Chester and Dad have a silent conversation. Then Chester shrugs, as if to say ‘do what you have to do’, so he turns his attention back to Keaton.
“Will this make you feel better?”
Keaton lifts in a half shrug. “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s the least I deserve from you.”
“I see.” Dad rolls his head along his shoulders as he drops his arms and puffs his chest out. “Are you ready, then?”
Wait. He’s not really going to hit him, is he?
“Trust your father,” Mom whispers.
Keaton blows out a breath and stands taller. “I’m ready.”
My mouth drops open at how quick my father moves. Keaton doesn’t even flinch at how quickly he comes at him. He’s been expecting it to come to this since the moment he betrayed me.
Dad’s arm swings out, and I turn my head, unable to watch. Norma doesn’t let me, though.
“Like your mom said. Trust your father. Watch.”
Her voice is low enough that I know my Mom and I are the only ones who hear her.
Instead of Dad’s fist connecting with his cheek like I expect, he wraps his entire arm around the back of Keaton’s neck and pulls until he topples towards him. Then those big, burly arms of my dad wrap completely around Keaton in a bear hug.
But it’s not until I hear that quiet sob from Keaton that tears drip down my face.
Dad glances over to check on me, and I give him a soft smile to let him know I’m truly okay.
Keaton pulls away and uses his shirt to wipe away his tears. “Why?”
“Because my daughter is a grown adult, Keaton. She knows her own heart and mind. If she believes you’re worth another chance, we won’t stand in the way of that. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still angry at you. I’m hurt and disappointed. Those areemotions that will eventually fade the longer you make my daughter happy. I need you to understand something, though. And I mean really fucking hear me, son. You ever hurt her again, and my friendship with your parents will not stop me from laying your ass out. Understood?”
“I understand, sir. Believe me when I say I never plan to hurt her again. Not if I can help it.”
“There will always be some form of hurt in a relationship, son,” Chester says, placing his hand on Keaton’s shoulder. “It’s inevitable. You just have to make sure it’s a hurt you can heal from. It may be big or small. Miscommunications. Misunderstandings. Little white lies. Things you don’t essentially think about will be there waiting for their moment. You have to stay vigilant against them. Otherwise, as you’ve learned, they’ll be there to creep their way in to poison the heart and mind.”
