“I came close once.” I sniffled and took in a sharp breath. “When we went for pizza and you told me the only way you’d approve of me with one of Jack’s friends was if you were dead.”
Dad dropped his head and laughed. “I’d tell you I was kidding, but at the time I—”
“Wasn’t. Yeah, I picked up on that,” I huffed, still not able to hold his gaze for long.
“But even though I don’t like it,” he began before he covered my small hand with his large one. “I can’t lose you. And if I don’t budge, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. But, there have to be rules.”
“Rules?” I squinted at my father.
“Rules.” He nodded. “You’re old enough to stay in the house alone overnight, but that’s not an invitation for Dylan to—”
“I know. And for that, I’m really sorry. Please believe that.” A tear snaked down my cheek.
“I do believe that.” He swiped the second tear away with his thumb. “You’re always going to be my baby. You … growing up, it’s hard for me sometimes. I wouldn’t have gotten Dylan in trouble. It was an idle threat that kinda blew up in my face.”
I laughed and swiped my cheeks with the back of my hands.
Dad let out a long sigh before shaking his head. “You used to tell me everything. When did that change?”
“Dad, I …” I stammered, trying to figure out when that had shifted, too. When I realized my feelings for Dylan, I hadn’t done a very good job of hiding it. Everyone had brushed it off as a crush, but it was so much more than that. No one believed it. Not Dylan, at least at first. Not my brother or my father who’d laugh at how skittish I became when Dylan stepped into a room. When I spilled my guts to my mother, she told me “crushes happen, and they hurt.” I kept the turmoil to myself, not even confiding in many friends other than Riley, and even she would constantly remind me of how my feelings were simply the typical cliché of falling for your brother’s hot friend. Dad always made me feel better whenever I was upset, but not only couldn’t he help me, he wouldn’t take it seriously. Planning on going to school so far away had been my own method of self-preservation. “You wouldn’t have under—”
“But before you make any decisions about moving in with him, I want you to finish school first. Talent like you’ve been blessed with shouldn’t be wasted. Okay?”
“Okay,” I choked out.
“I’m sorry you thought you couldn’t talk to me. Promise me, whatever it is, no matter how bad you believe it is, you’ll talk to me.”
I gave him a quick nod, the sobs trapped in my throat blocking my voice.
He stood and held out his hand.
“Well, then … let’s go home, Peanut.”
I popped off the chair and collapsed against his chest, sobbing.
“Shh,” he crooned as he rocked me back and forth. “Don’t cry.” He kissed the top of my head. “Your brother is on his way home. I made dinner for all of us, and we can eat outside.” Dad pulled back and quirked an eyebrow. “Perniland yuca.”
“Really?” My nose crinkled when I lifted my gaze back to his. “During the week you made that?”
“It’s my little girl’s favorite, and I was hopeful she’d come home for dinner. So, yes, let’s go.” He pulled me into his side and led me out of the studio. I still didn’t know where I stood with Dylan, but I walked out a hundred pounds lighter than I’d been when I’d come in, knowing one thing with total certainty.
I never wanted to be without my father again.
When we arrived back home, Mom sighed with a huge smile as she looked between us. “I’m glad you’re back, baby girl.” She kissed my cheek before I fell on her with a hug.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.”
She laughed before pulling back. “I told you. I was there, too, once. I wasn’t always an old lady.” I lifted my gaze to her gentle smile and shook my head.
“You aren’t old. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” Mom was the only adult I could look in the eye without standing on my tippy toes.
Dad kissed her temple before snaking his arm around her waist. “Absolutely.”
My parents were still head over heels for each other, and instead of thinking of how sickeningly cute they were, it made me sad. I really thought I had that with Dylan. That timeless, soul-crushing love that would last a lifetime. I shrugged to myself before turning to leave the kitchen.
“Oh, PJ, would you mind setting the table outside for me?” She handed me the plates and silverware. “They should be here any minute.”
“Sure, Mom.” I forced a smile and grabbed everything out of her hands.
