She shakes her head curtly. “Not. Now. Cal.”
I walk toward the door. “Jaycob and I need to have a chat.” I grab him by the collar and out toward the barns.
“Son, you better start talking and fast.”
“I promise, sir, nothing happened between us but friendship until a year ago. I swear it.” I scrutinize his face as he talks, waiting for him to slip up in a lie.
“Why my daughter?”
“She’s my everything. I know we’re young, well she’s young. But I can’t imagine my life without her. It’d mean the world to us to have your blessing.”
I freeze mid step and turn to face him “Blessing for what?” I narrow my eyes.
“Dating! Just dating.”
“Just dating? Is my girl not good enough to marry?”
“No..no that’s not… She’s perfect, honest to God, but she’s still in college, and I’m here. And we just want more time. But one day I’ll ask for her hand. Just not today.”
“Good. I wouldn’t give it today. You’re a great guy, Jaycob. I’m proud of the work you’re doing here at the ranch with me and your daddy. But, she’smywhole world.” I slap him on the shoulder. “You shoulda manned up and told me yourself. Not blindsided me.” He nods. “Do your parents know?”
“Not yet, sir. We wanted to tell you first.” The kid is shaking in his boots.
“Well that’s a strike on your side isn’t it?”
He gulps hard. “Let’s go tell ‘em then, huh?”
“Only if Reece wants to. I won’t push her, sir. This whole timeline is hers and I’m just along for the ride.” He holds firm on his position, protecting my baby girl, even if it is from me.
“Good. You do right by my girl and we won’t have any problems.”
His shoulders slump forward and he relaxes. “Yes, sir. I promise I will.”
I nod once, walking back to the house.
How the fuck did I not know my daughter was dating Jaycob right under my nose?
“You handled dinner really well tonight.” Juliette runs her fingers along my abs.
“We’ll see. Tell me the truth. You really didn’t know?”
“Nope. Neither did Dakota. There is no way she would have kept that from me. I just knew she was serious about the guy. And now it makes sense. They’ve been friends their whole lives even when their ages didn’t make sense. They’re soulmates.”
I run my fingers through her hair splayed out around us on the bed. “I’ll trust you. And him. But only for now, I’m keeping a close eye on him.”
“Cal. It’s Jaycob. We’ve known him his whole life. He’s like the son you never got. Now he’s just one step closer to officially being your son.”
I grunt in response. Her pregnancy with Reece was hard, and the toddler years were hell on our marriage for a second time. Luckily, the second time we had the tools needed to communicate and keep ourselves focused on each other. But having a toddler didn’t help. So we never tried for a second, happy with one.
“Can we change the topic? I’d like to focus on my very sexy, very naked wife.” I roll her on top of me, pinching her nipples.
“Mmm, your very naked wife would thoroughly enjoy that.” She grinds down on my cock.
My favorite place to be. Buried deep in the woman I love.
“Jaycob won’t quit scowlin’ over this direction.” My best friend, Katie, whispers.
“He can scowl all he wants. He’s just mad I’m out with Scott.” I refuse to look in his direction to confirm what she’s saying.
