“I know you didn’t, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want to be. You’re my dad.” Why was he upset I wanted to visit him?
“I get that, but I also know your life is busier than busy with me out of commission. Some days, a phone call will suffice, Luke. If you want a relationship with Mina to work, you need to put some of your time toward her. You can’t put in minimal effort for days on end and expect everything to stay hunky-dory.”
Jaw working, I looked out the window. I knew he was right, but that didn’t mean I liked being called out on my hesitation.
“Why haven’t you stopped to talk to her?” He lifted a hand to point a finger at me. “I want a real answer, not some BS line about being busy.”
“I guess—” I stopped, shrugged, then tried again, turning to look at him. “I guess I’m just worried she’ll push me away. If I don’t go see her, everything stays status quo, right?” An ironic tilt drew up one side of my mouth. “I know by continuing to avoid contact, the distance is growing between us, but in my mind, it feels like we’re just stuck on the spot we left off, you know? Like we pushed pause.”
“Ah. No, I understand that. But eventually, even on pause, things shut down. If you don’t want to have to start over with her, you need to press play, son.”
Turning away again, I worried the corner of my cheek with my teeth. “I know.” And I did, but that didn’t make it any easier to get past the fear.
“Why are you still sitting there?”
My gaze snapped to his. “You think I should go now?” I glanced at my watch. It was already after eight.
“Yes.” Dad narrowed his eyes. “I already told you I don’t need you to babysit me.”
“I’m not babysitting you.”
“Sure, sure.” He waved a hand and rolled his eyes. “If you’re not here, it’s your mother or your sister. I never get to be alone. But that’s a different discussion. Go woo your lady friend. I like Mina, Aalot more than that Bray girl, and I don’t want you to screw this up.”
I barked a short laugh. “How about this? I’ll leave you be, so you can get some alone time. Tomorrow, I promise I will go see Mina.”
Dad’s mouth opened, and I could see the protest forming on his face.
I held up a hand. “She has to get up early for work and will probably go to bed in the next hour. I don’t want this to be a rushed discussion.”
“Fine.” He wagged a finger at me. “But you better do it. I expect an update tomorrow—with a phone call.”
Smiling, I stood. “Yes, sir.” Snatching my keys off the table by the chair I just vacated, I turned for the door.
“Luke?”
I paused and looked at him in question.
“I’m not sure I’ve said it, but thank you for taking over the way you have. I know it’s a lot, but you’re doing great, and I’m proud of you.”
The lump of emotion that formed in my throat temporarily choked off my words. I swallowed it down. “Thank you. And you’re welcome, Dad. Even knowing how much work it is now, I’d do it again in a second.” Walking over to the bed, I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “I’ll see you later. Get some rest, yeah?”
He reached up and patted my hand. “Yeah. Now get out of here.”
My smile returning, I stepped back. “Have a good night.” With a quick wave, I left.
In the hall, I glanced at my watch once more. I know I said I wanted to wait until tomorrow, but was it wise? It had already been three days. We’d gone the whole weekend with little contact. It was more than last time life got in the way and I turned chicken, but I knew I was verging on being that guy who ghosted her again. After I left Parker’s Landing Thursday, I spent Friday at the hospital with Dad or at the office, so I could be nearby if something happened. Over the weekend, I caught up with other projects and spent time with my family. Other than a few phone calls to keep her updated on Dad, a quick chat on Saturday in between moving from one mound of paperwork to another, and a text yesterday to tell her I missed her, we hadn’t had a meaningful conversation about Taylor and Mina’s reaction to her. Finishing that conversation wasn’t something I wanted to do over the phone.
The doors to the facility swished open, releasing me into the warm evening air. I crossed to my truck and hopped in.
While the engine rumbled to life and settled into a steady idle, I stared down the road, debating what to do.
My gaze landed on the clock.
Eight-seventeen.
Screw it.
I buckled my seatbelt and put the truck in gear.
