And I can’t be pissed, not even a little, because again, this is his story too.
“I made him come where he was unwanted. He didn’t do that for me. The kid isn’t impressed by me in the way Dash is.”
“So, he doesn’t have a crush on you?” I joke.
Paul chuckles, “I mean, you’d think, but no. He’s completely unaffected by my charming demeanor. Enough about me. He showed up where he wasn’t wanted for you.”
“Like you did the very first hockey game you went to with us.”
“Can’t let a minute pass, Sofie,” he says softly. “Time is the only thing you can’t get back.”
The door opens, and Claudia and Deacon walk in. Both of us look at them as they look at us. The silence speaks volumes.
“How was she?” Claudia finally breaks the silence as she hands Paul a bag of, I assume, dessert, then kisses his cheek.
“Perfect, of course.” I smile at my sister, regardless of bloodlines, and then look at Deacon. “Love you, Daddy D.” He cocks his head to the side in question. “So, I’m going to ask that you turn off the blinders you wear that are shielding my flaws and look at me.”
He shakes his head, confused.
“I had a very bad night last night. Aleks saw me outside of Icehouse, where he thinks I was having a panic attack.”
“Oh god,” Claudia gasps, holding her hand to her chest.
I turn to her, “I promise you on everything I love, you will be the very first person I talk to when I can sort it all out. The very first.” She nods, and I look at Deacon. “This thing between Aleks and me,” I shake my head. “I don’t know what it is or if it will ever be something.”
“Enemies to lovers,” Paul chuckles.
I look at him, “Way better thanweird foreplay.”
“What?” Claudia titters.
I smile and look back at Deacon. “I’m ruthless and C-U-N-T-Y by default. Something I will work through with your future wife, soon, very very soon. Aleks Kilovac?” I shake my head. “He’s no more the villain than I am. I was a mess, and he took care of me. Made me feel … safe. He didn’t share that with any of you or defend himself when he very well could have.”
“And he showed up for her when he was uninvited,” Paul adds.
“You uninvited him?” Claudia asks Deacon.
“It was put to a vote.” He hands her his phone. “Two for, two against, and oneplease do not make me do this, I’m just a rookie.” She hands him back the phone, expression blank. “You’re upset.”
“Honestly, I’m not. But I’m also not sure what this says about you all.” Claudia looks at me.
“They’re woke,” Paul reaches for his cane and pushes up to stand. I silently laugh. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing now?”
“Depends on your political affiliation and your triggers, I suppose,” I answer, smiling at Claudia.
“Bunch of horse shit either way.” He grumbles. “The whole lot of them are fucking sociopaths. Can’t even watch the news without getting,” he pauses and looks at me and then Claudia.
“Triggered,” they both say at the same time.
“Yep, that.” He stands straighter as he looks at us, both hands on the top of his cane. “What matters and what we can control is how we treat others.”
“That’s true,” Deacon agrees.
“We hold those we love and give a hand to those in need.” He states.
“Also true.” I smile. “But we also need to love ourselves.”
He turns and heads to the door, “Emotional masturbation. Got it.”
