I cut him off. “No. You don’t get to talk. I’m not done.” I pull Sadie tighter against my side and feel her relax into me.
Everyone around us is quiet. I’ve gained the attention of the entire party, but I don’t even care. I hope they all heard every word. Fuck all of them for making her feel this way.
“Second, considering how smart you all think you are, yousure don’t know much about what Sadie actually does for a living.”
Duncan, just as stupid as his future father-in-law, chooses this moment to make another ignorant comment. “Isn’t yoga just stretching and, I don’t know, relaxing? Doesn’t seem like a formidable profession to me.”
If looks could kill, I’m sure the one I’m shooting at this moron would do the trick. “No,Duncan.It’s about focus. It’s about concentration. It can enhance both strength and endurance. Yoga helps improve body mechanics and awareness, which can significantly reduce the risk of injury. And if we do get injured, it can help speed up recovery time. It not only helps professional athletes prepare mentally for their games, but it also helps us tremendously in terms of our physicality and recovery.”
The asshole rolls his eyes, but I don’t waste another breath on him. I move my attention to the two people who are supposed to love and support Sadie no matter what.
“Your daughter is incredible. How can you not see that? She’s selfless. She has an amazing heart. And she’s so much more than just a yoga instructor. She makes everyone around her better. Maybe you should’ve fought harder to keep her in your life because you could use someone like her around. Your family doesn’t even bother to check in on her, and yet the first thing she does when she gets here is help her sister. I feel sorry for you. All of you. You’re the ones missing out. Because Sadie is the best fucking person I know.”
I look down and see a smile on my girl’s face. “You ready to go,Kulta?”
She looks up at me and I almost fall to my knees right there. So strong. So beautiful.
“I am.”
I take her hand in mine and walk around her parents who are still standing there, stunned silent. We take a few steps but her father’s voice stops us.
“What happens when he gets hurt and can’t play anymore? Then what will you do? Lord knows yoga can’t support you. How could you be so stupid?”
I see red.
Turning around, I take one step forward and raise my fist, ready to pummel this prick, but Sadie’s hand stops me.
“Don’t.”
I force myself to relax my arm and Sadie steps in front of me.
“You just don’t get it, Dad. There’s more to life than mansions and money. I wish you could see that, but I know you’ll never change. I’m happy. I wish that mattered to you.”
She shakes her head and just when I think she’s about to break down in front of everyone, she lifts her chin.
“I’m going to turn around and walk away now. I don’t ever want to hear from you again. If there ever comes a day when you can accept me for who I am, then maybe we can talk. But until then, I’m done.”
Sadie turns around, grabs my hand, and we make our exit.
I am so fucking proud of her.
Fortunately for us, no one else is leaving, so the valet gets my vehicle for us quickly. I open the door for Sadie and she takes a seat. We’ve been here less than an hour but she looks exhausted.
I grab her seat belt and reach across her, buckling her in. Once she’s secure, I don’t immediately make a move to close her door. Instead, I gently place my hand on her cheek and turn her face toward mine.
“Are you okay, baby?”
She doesn’t answer me. She places her forehead against mine and closes her eyes. I’m not sure how long we stay there like that, but when she finally pulls away, she looks me in the eyes.
“I’ll be okay. Can we go home now?”
Home.
I lean down and kiss her on the tip of her nose. “Of course.”
Closing the passenger door, I round the front of the vehicle and make my way into the driver’s seat.
It’s a quiet drive home. My hand doesn’t leave her thigh for the entire drive. I’m not sure what to do or say, but I need her to know she’s not alone.
