The first piece of paper was slipped into my line of sight on the table. It was a bit wrinkled, but a huge number was written in a messy script.
“What?” I had no clue what to say.
“It’s already in a bank account. I had Scarlett help set something up.” More movement, and another two matching sheets of paper were placed in front of Enzo and Ryker. The amounts were different but still huge. “I don’t want my soon-to-be ex-wife getting her hands on that. By the end of the day, it will be in your bank.”
“That’s not necessary,” Ryker said, shocked. “Why not just donate it to a charity or something?”
“Then my wife would get the money back from taxes. There’s no way she can ever touch it like this. Plus,” he paused, lowering his voice, “my son deserves to see the world in whatever fashion he wants. This makes it possible.” He tapped the paper in front of me. “Money can’t solve relationship between people, but it can give you the chance to find happiness. And these two men will help you.”
“I’m not ever leaving him.” Enzo wrapped an arm around me, bringing me even closer to him than I already was.
“That’s how I know you’ll be perfectly fine,” my father said, a soft smile on his face. “I couldn’t be prouder of you. Scarlett has my phone number, if you ever want to meet up or talk. Come the end of this week, I’m leaving your mother and moving out of town. But if you ever need me, I won’t be far.”
I still had no clue what to say to this man. Right now, I didn’t want any sort of relationship, or money, from him.
I just wanted him to leave me alone. But at the same time, I wanted a father. I knew he wasn’t the sort of father I needed. Not anymore. I didn’t need someone hovering. I didn’t need a stranger to call me ‘son.’ Because he wasn’t that to me. Never had been, and never would be again.
“Thank you? I guess.” That was at least polite.
“Can I have a word with my son? Alone?” I grimaced. After a moment, when I agreed, Ryker and Enzo stood, giving us space. They were in earshot still, which helped soothe me just enough.
“You can’t be what I need,” I started before he could speak a word. “If this is what you’re after with the money, take it all back.” I folded my arms across my chest, hoping I looked disinterested.
“I don’t expect anything from you, Emery. All I wanted to say is that those two friends, they adore you. I’ve never seen so much love like that before.”
“Oh.” That was not what I was expecting.
“I may not know all you’ve been through, and I don’t need to know. But what I can see, Emery, is that those two would move the earth to make you happy, and I bet you would do the same in return. Do what feels right. Find your life, find yourself. And love them with everything you have in you.”
He stood, and although his height with me still sitting should have bugged me, it did nothing. “I still love you, and I always will, but I will never push for what you can’t give me. I will never expect anything from you.” With that, he strode away, not looking back.
Emery
Hours later, I still wasn’t able to wrap my mind around what had happened. Lounging on the couch, cuddled against Enzo, I listened as Ryker started making dinner. I wasn’t sure if my mind was just blank, or overwhelmed and shut down. Either way, I was not a fan of it.
I had hardly spoken a word since we left the park, but neither had Ryker or Enzo.
Letting out a deep breath, I let my body soak more into Enzo’s. I did know that whatever was going to happen, he’d be right by my side. So would Ryker, if the two could keep at least being civil to one another.
The bit of fear that the two people I loved most in the world would turn to hate each other, then me in return, nagged at me as the seconds passed.
Now that Ryker knew I had money, more than enough, at that, would he kick me out? Would he tire of me sooner just because I didn’t need him as much as I did last week?
What about Enzo? Was he going to run off, traveling the world and leave me behind? We had talked about going to the beach so long ago. About watching the sunset over the ocean, letting the cool breeze brush our hair from our faces.
Was that still just a dream out of reach, or would it happen?
“I don’t like what you’re thinking.” Enzo’s soft words were added to the tight embrace around me.
I didn’t need to ask how he knew what kind of thoughts were going through my mind
All I could do was shrug.
“The money won’t change a damn thing between us,” Enzo whispered. “You’re still stuck with me.”
“You’ll change your mind.” My words were barely a breath, but he heard them all the same.
“Never. I can promise you. I loved you before we had money, and I’ll still love you with it. Money means nothing when you can’t have what you want. And I want you.”
