Shit, here goes nothing.
“Hi, Mr. Daines? It’s Jensen, uh, Beck’s friend.”
“Hi, Jensen.” His dad’s voice still holds this wariness to it. “Is Beck okay?”
Shit, I probably should have led with that too. “Yes, he’s great—I mean, he’s fine… Listen, this probably sounds nuts, but I had my friends break what I’m sure is a confidentiality law or something to get me your number.” Oh my god, I’m rambling like Callie. Get to the point, Jen. “Anyway, I’m a tattoo artist, and I wanted to draw up some tattoos for Beck as a thank you for helping me. I want them to be a surprise, so I was wondering if I could ask a favor.”
A pause comes through the line and I hold my breath until I hear his dad chuckle softly. “Ask me anything. Also, it’s Rory, not Mr. Daines. That makes me feel way too old.”
Gah, something tells me I’m about to see where Beck gets a bit of his personality.
“Alright. Rory it is. I was wondering if you could send me some pictures of Beck growing up. Some of his favorite moments, especially with you and his mom. I’m a bit of an inspiration drawer and I think some images would help spark some creative ideas.”
“I can do that. I have to say, I really appreciate you doing this for him. As his dad, and with what he’s been going through over the past few years…it just really makes me happy to hear.”
An ache comes to my chest. I know they’ve been talking somewhat more since I answered that FaceTime, but based on our talk last night, I think it’s safe to say neither of them are completely over their argument.
“Mr. Da—sorry, Rory, you have an amazing son. I’m sure you’re aware of that, but I wanted to say it anyway.”
Rory lets out a breath. “I know I do. Now, if we could just get him to see that, we’d be golden. I’ve seen glimpses of the real him with the last few phone calls and texts. You seem to bring something out in him that I haven’t seen in a while.”
My heart starts beating rapidly. “Oh?” is all I can manage to voice.
“That picture he sent of you two at the wedding had to be the first real smile I’ve seen him have outside of a ballfield in years.”
A nervous laugh bubbles out of me. “Beck always has a genuine smile.”
Rory snorts. “Guess you’re a common denominator there. For everyone else, he fakes it really well. Straight up lying he has a tell, but faking it so you don’t ask him something he has to lie about—he’s mastered.”
There’s no air in my lungs at this point. “Tell?” I feel like his dad might be a man on a mission now with this conversation, but he’s got me hook, line, and sinker.
“Oh yeah, the boy’s never been able to tell a lie with his glasses on or make eye contact. His mother and I caught on to it quickly, it never faltered from what I can still see.”
And just like that these past few days start a montage in my head.
When Stella brought up it being temporary…he kept his eyes on his wineglass…he looked me in the eyes when he said he wished it was him…and didn’t when I asked him if not being in a relationship was still what he wanted.
But then again he said he would take off his glasses, he didn’t completely do that. But he wasn’t looking at me either.
“Jensen?” Rory asks amidst my spiral. “You’re trying to figure out all the times he’s lied, aren’t you?”
Shaking my head, I try to pull myself out of it. “Um, you know, I haven’t exactly…” Shit. “I called for the pictures.”
“You’re right, I’ll work on getting those. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to start something.”
Yeah, right.I honestly can’t stop the smart-ass remark. “Yeah, you did.”
Rory hums in amusement. “Guilty. I love my son, I want him to be happy and he seems hell-bent on living his life alone, when I know that’s not what he wants.”
Chills run through my body. This phone call was a mistake. I try to find some level of a calm tone. “With all due respect, people are allowed to change.”
Another breath of amusement. “They are. Beck said the same thing himself. But he hasn’t changed, he’s lying to himself, and that’s the difference.”
His words vibrate through me. Is he right? It’s what’s kept me up most of the night and now Beck’s dad is only making my spiral worse…or better, if he’s actually right about this tell of his.
“I’ll get you the pictures, Jensen. I saw an opportunity so I took it on the other stuff.”
Even though my brain feels like it’s spinning, I have to admit I did expect to get a glimpse of why Beck is the way he is. “Like father, like son, it seems.”
