“What does that mean?” My dad’s eyes freeze on me.
Rubbing my face, I’m already exhausted from all of this. “Nothing.” Only that she married and made him so unbelievably happy, even if she harbored different feelings. “You know I did everything I was supposed to. I gave up Summer, and he got her just like he wanted.”
He cranes his neck and his chin tips slightly up. “Is that so? The reason you kept your distance in recent years. You couldn’t overcome your pride to remain close with your brother?”
I want to respond with a denial, but… I can’t, simply because it’s true.
“Why don’t we just get down to it and realize that Summer and Bo are not part of this. At the root, it’s your disapproval of me.”
My father drops onto his chair, deflated, and swipes a hand across his jaw. “You’re right.” Honesty is brutal, and it seems that it’s about to barrel at me. “I’m angry that your brother isn’t here?—”
“Because the wrong son died?”
He shakes his head. “What kind of father would I be if I were to think that? So no, I don’t believe that.”
“Then what is the issue?”
His deep sigh in a way turns the axis of tension in the room. “I do think it’s too soon for all of this to transpire. I worry that neither one of you are thinking clearly. Forgetting the repercussions if it doesn’t work out or how you will fit into their lives.”
Biting my lip, I hate that he’s making me boil. I don’t want to listen to him, even if he has points that I’ve chosen to ignore.
“I think you’ve both forgotten a few steps. It’s your responsibility to ensure they’re okay.”
My nostrils flare, and I close my eyes tightly then open them. “What about me being okay?”
My father’s lips quirk out. “Exactly. All the more reason that you and Summer are not a good idea right now. You’re both trying to return to normalcy.”
“Except normalcy is with her,” I justify, and I’m not sure why it sounds as though I’m pleading for his understanding.
“Nash, I think we both need a breather from this conversation. I believe you’re being disrespectful by you both moving on so quickly, not fully grasping the situation. That’s where I stand. I need space, and I promise I’ll apologize to Summer tomorrow.” At least, he sounds calm and sincere. The first time in the last fifteen minutes.
Gently nodding my head, I agree that this is the best plan, too. “Fine.”
Storming out, I beeline it outside, slamming the door in the process. Immediately, I see Summer finishing buckling Bo into his car seat.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Please,” Summer agrees as she slides into the front seat.
When I’m in the car and turning on the engine, I still feel hyped up.
Summer holds up a bag. “Your mom gave us the food she still had in the kitchen.” She sounds melancholy. Her shoulder lifts. “Apparently, we need an entire pumpkin pie.”
I begin to back the car up, looking over my shoulder. “She’s the least of our problems.”
“I know. We’re doing exactly what she wants. It’s your father who basically thinks I’m the worst person in the world.”
Focusing on the road, I remind myself that it’s prime deer-crossing time. “He’ll cool off. If it’s any consolation, it’sme he’s really mad at. Thinks I’m trying to replace the missing puzzle piece in your life.”
The stone-cold silence has me concerned, especially when the only sound I begin to hear is a stifling attempt not to break out in a cry.
Shit.
Of course, it’s true.
“Is that what you think? I jumped in to replace him?”
In the corner of my eye, I see her gently shake her head side to side. Noticing a spot up ahead, I pull off the road, remembering the night I crashed the car with Summer in it.
