“And I know you can’t stay my little girl.” His voice quakes, and I shoot away from him. Is he crying?
With a thick swallow, he blinks and stares ahead into the forest. “I know you’re growing up, spreading your wings. It’s time to let you go. Let you fly. But…” His jaw clenches for a beat. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. There are too many shitty people out there, and if one of them mistreats you or doessomething to ruin your life… or even make it really hard… it’s gonna kill me.”
“Dad.” I reach for his hand, curling my fingers around his. “Pain is part of life. You taught me that. We can’t grow without suffering. We can’t become better versions of ourselves without hard times.” I let out a soft laugh. “You and Mom say that kind of stuff all the time, and then you don’t want to let me experience it? Do you not want me to become a better version of myself?”
“Of course I do.” He whips a desperate look at me. “But heartache is a totally different ball game, and that guy who drove you home… what’s his name again?”
I almost don’t want to say, but pride forces the word out of me. “Curry,” I mutter, still not wanting to tell Dad what a douche the guy is.
How could I get fooled so frickin’ easily?
“He’s just so much older than you, and I know four years is nothing when you’re adults, but when you’re in high school, the gap feels too big. I’m sorry that I feel that way, but I do. I don’t want him taking advantage of you.”
“He won’t,” I assure my dad, tugging him to a stop so I can give him a meaningful look. “I won’t let him.” Sucking in a shaky breath, I reassure myself… and him, “I know I’m still only fourteen, but I’m not stupid, and I won’t let some guy just walk all over me.”
Dad’s lips curl into a half grin, this look of pride making his eyes gleam. “But you really like this guy, huh?”
I shrug, then shake my head.
He frowns. “The look on your face yesterday made me think you were in love with him.”
“After one Valentine’s card?” I shove his shoulder. “Please. I’m not that pathetic.”
“But—”
“But it turns out he’s a bit of a dick.” I’m forced to admit.
Dad’s expression hardens. “What do you mean?”
I sigh, my lips curving into a sad pout. “I wasn’t the only girl he gave a card to. I wasn’t the only girl he wanted to kiss, and…” I shake my head with a huff. “I snuck into your room last night to check my phone, and there were a bunch of messages from my friends sympathizing that I’d been fooled.” I sniff, my eyes burning as I look to the forest floor and kick at a loose rock. It bounces ahead of me on the path, and I start walking after it. “I hate that I got played so easily.”
“Aw, baby.” Dad reaches for me again, pulling me into a quick side hug and kissing the top of my head. “I’m sorry that guys can be such douchebags.”
“I guess I should be grateful for the lesson, huh?”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s better than getting strung along for weeks only to get your heart burned later. But I’m sorry he’s a fuck nugget.”
A surprised laugh bursts out of me. “Heisa fuck nugget.”
“A shit gibbon.”
“A cock waffle.”
Dad raises his eyebrows, fighting a grin. “A twatopotamus.”
I giggle. “A wankpuffin.”
“Okay, that’s new.” Dad finally gives in to his laughter, shaking his head before giving me a sweet smile. “I really don’t have to worry about you, do I?”
“Nope.” I grin up at him.
His nose wrinkles as he lets out a light hiss. “I’ll love you forever, kid. And I’m always gonna have your back and look out for you. I can’t help it. You have no idea how much I want to punch that guy for leading you on.”
“I know, Dad. And I love that. But… I need you to trust me. Let me figure this out on my own.”
He sighs. “It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s idiot boys I have a problem with.”
I snort and shake my head.
