“Hey, son,” he says, looking over at Theo who just stares back in response. A beat passes, and he finally speaks.
“Hey, Dad. Glad you're okay.” My heart skips unexpectedly, because right now, he's not my idiot ex. He's a son who was worried about his father and jumped into a helicopter with four people he knows doesn't like him very much, all because he was scared something happened to his father. Before West or anyone else can reply, Theo pushes off the wall, his gaze locking on me. I go incredibly still.
“Actually, I’d like to speak to Jovi.” I glance over at West, leaning against the kitchen bench opposite us, his arms crossed, much like Theo’s just were. Hm. They really are alike. West’s eyes do that weird thing they do when he's trying not to lose control, and I look over at Beau and Haze who look like they're here to commit murder. They're territorial, but they also know that it's Theo. West's son. And that will always win.
My stomach flips as I rise from the bar stool, and slowly, I nod. Maybe I can do this. Maybe if I explain everything, it'll be fine. And if it isn't… Maybe I'll have no option but to back out of this so that he and his father can finally mend their already rocky relationship. I can do that… right?
What am I thinking, of course I would. I refuse to be the reason West is unhappy. I can't live with that and what if eventually he starts to resent me? There's a chance that he won't, but there's also a chance that he will and I don't like the thought of him hating me. Not ever.
I turn and head upstairs, Theo following behind me. I can feel everyone's eyes on us the entire way. Axl and Phoenix start talking with the guys about the storm, and I look back, noticing Zane’s attention is on West.
Please go easy on him.
I walk into the living room, ignoring the anxiety threatening to overcome me. I could’ve gone outside, but it's still such a mess and there's no furniture out there at the moment. If I have any sort of a chance of smoothing things out with Theo, I'm goingto need somewhere comfortable and as casual as possible. Even though nothing about this interaction is comfortable.
CHAPTER 18
JOVI
TRUTH IS LIKE GLITTER. ONCE IT'S OUT, IT'S EVERYWHERE!
The upstairs living room is quiet, in that heavy, uncomfortable way that always makes things ten times more awkward than they need to be. Warm air clings to my skin like a second layer, and I can't tell if it's from the weather or the stress of my family and Theo being here.God.
Theo stands over by the window, looking out at the view wearing an expression that could only be described as troubled. His hands are shoved into the pockets of his dark jeans, rocking slightly on his heels like he doesn't quite know what to do with himself. He turns, gaze darting around the room before finally landing on me. While I'm not excited by this interaction I know that there's no way out of it, and I'd hate for this to drag on unnecessarily. It wouldn't be good for either of us. He’s wearing a black Henley, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, forearms tan and tense. He looks different. Smarter? No. Sharper. Definitely nervous.
He clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair, a little longer and lighter than West’s. The gesture is automatic, something he's always done when he's trying to work up the courage to say something.
“I wanted to talk to you,” he says finally.
“I figured that when you said you wanted to talk to me.” Shit. I'm being sarcastic and that's not going to win me any wars. Clearing my throat, I try to make it easy for him because I can't handle the suspense. When I go to speak, he beats me to it.
“I went to your apartment, but you weren't there. And when I ran into Shiloh downtown, she told me you were on vacation. Which at first, I thought was a lie because you… on vacation? I thought she was hiding you from me.” Eh, it checks out. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “When I heard about the hurricane, I knew my dad was on a cruise near here and that's when I ran into Shiloh and Axl.” He pauses, glancing at me for the briefest second, before he leans back against the wall by the window opposite to where I'm sitting. “Had to beg Zane to bring me along, and by the way, that guy? Not a fan of me.” I chuckle because no matter what, Zane has always had my back. He's always protected me in ways not even my brothers have. Sure, he’s over the top and a little intense but he has a big heart.
“They care about me,” I murmur, not knowing what else to say, especially after everything that happened the last time we saw each other. And everything that's happened since.
“Yeah, I got that.” He lets out a shaky breath before walking over to me, sitting in the spot on the couch beside me. He doesn't look at me though, instead, he leans over and rests his elbows on the tops of his thighs, staring at his hands clasped together in front of him. Something is troubling Theo. Is it me? His father? I didn't notice before but I paid very little attention to him, and that's a mistake I will own.
“Jovi. I want to apologize to you.” He sits back, his body no longer taut, instead he sinks against the couch, utterly defeated. “I messed up. I treated you like fucking shit and you know what? You didn't deserve it.” A little shocked, I sit with that for a moment.
“It wasn't all you, Theo. I was never there for you. For that I’m sorry.”
“That's just it, Jovi. I handled things terribly. And I didn't mean any of it. I mean, sure we were distant, but that's how it had always been between us. That's how I wanted it between us.”
Okay…
“I know you're fucking my dad.”There it is.He just flat out said it. The words hang heavy in the air that separates us, and I don't have a second to think before he turns to face me. “I don't mind, Jovi. Sure, I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little grossed out by it, no offense.”
“None taken.”
“But I just want my dad to be happy, you know.” How did he know? Was it the obvious display he stumbled into when he arrived?
“Theo, I?—”
“I have to get this out, Jovi.” His eyes are burning into me, and for a second, I'm a little worried as to where this is going, but that thought is immediately erased as his eyes start to water. “I didn't deserve you. Not ever. And I'm sorry. But I'm cleaning my life up. I've always been sort of lost, you know. Like I've been wandering around with no destination and while that might be okay for some people, I've realized that it's the opposite of what I need.” I stare at him dumbfounded. Shocked by his admission but also, I can relate to what he's saying. Theo is on his own journey. He's got to figure himself out and learn who it is he wants to be before anything else.
“I understand more than you’d think. And I forgive you. And I'm sorry about everything.” There's a lot I'm not saying, likeI'm sorry I fell in love with your dadfor instance, but this situation is overwhelming enough without me adding to it. He's obviously going through it right now, so I will try and keep the part I play in this as simple as possible.
“About Tamika.”
