I bit my lip. “What if I want to be a mechanic?”
“Really?”
“Maybe,” I said. “Today was amazing. I loved every second. Flea was the best teacher, and learning all the parts of a carburetor was fascinating. I can legit change my own oil now, and the guys all said they trusted me with their bikes, Mama. They trustedme.”
“Well, that’s pretty fucking huge.”
“Right?”
“Then, why are you crying?”
“Because I don’t want to disappoint Dad,” I lied. “You’ve both spent all this money on my education—”
“Let us worry about the money, baby. If you want to change to a trade school and become a mechanic, do it.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” She grinned. “Now, are you hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Come down and eat.” She squeezed my arm. “I saved you a plate.”
“Will you tell Daddy about my change of plans?”
She laughed. “Oh hell no. You’re on your own there. But Iwillback you up.”
“Why did you raise us to be all independent and shit?” I admonished.
“I ask myself that every day, my love. Every fucking day. But we still have Grayson, and I might ease up on him a little.”
She grinned and walked out my door.
I followed a few minutes later and found my parents making out in front of the kitchen sink. They did this a lot. So much so, it no longer fazed me.
“Should I come back?” I sassed.
Dad grabbed Mom’s ass with a raised eyebrow as she sighed and tried to pull away. Dad held her tight. “Your dinner’s in the oven, baby. I’ll get it.”
“It’s okay, Mama, I can get it.” I grabbed some oven mitts and pulled out my plate, letting out a quiet moan. “You made fried chicken, Daddy?”
“Sure did,” he said.
“Iloveyour fried chicken. It’s my favorite.”
“I’m aware.”
I looked at him. “You made fried chicken because you knew today was going to be rough, huh?”
He smiled gently. “Yeah, baby.”
I blinked back tears and then rushed him. He chuckled, wrapping me in his beefy arms and hugging me close. “I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you more, baby girl.”
“I don’t want to be a lawyer.” I let out a frustrated groan. “Goddammit, why do I keep blurting that out?”
Dad’s body locked. “What do you mean you don’t want to be a lawyer, Teagan?”
