“Daisy,” he starts with a patronizing tone. “You have much to learn about men in power and their pride. I don’t know about all this nonsense you speak of, but if Damien said all this to you, surely it was coming from a place of hurt. The man was left at the altar and humiliated in front of his peers, during a campaign year no less, so you must be able to empathize that a hurt man will say awful things when he’s down.”
“I must empathize?” I repeat. “Either you’re lying to cover for that man—for God knows what reason, since your loyalty should lie with me, your daughter—or you really are clueless about the snake I was engaged to and have still decided to turn a blind eye when confronted with the truth. So which one is it?”
My father takes a step back, looking me up and down as if he’s seeing me for the very first time.
His face barely conceals his sneer as he asks, “Why are you dressed like that? I know you haven’t been to your apartment since you up and vanished, but this is different. And your hair. You couldn’t find a hairbrush in whatever hidey hole you ran off to?”
I suck in a shocked breath. I’m used to my father’s microaggressions. To the point where I convince myself that some of them are potential terms of endearment. But having my white father criticize the hair I inherited from my Afro-Latina mother feels like a stab to the heart.
“Get out.” I barely manage to whisper the words, not willing to let him see how deeply he cut me.
He looks bored, and by his tone, I’m doing a shit job of keeping my emotions under wraps. “Oh, come on now. I ask why you haven’t gone to the hair salon, and I get kicked out?” He pinches the bridge of his nose.
Because of course my natural hair texture should be cause for an emergency appointment.
The same hair I constantly straightened because I knew he preferred it that way.
And unfortunately, somewhere along the way I must have taught myself that curly hair meant I hadn’t tried hard enough to look presentable. Or that I couldn’t go anywhere as I was.
That what I looked like naturally wasn’t good enough.
But I’ve never felt prettier or more like myself than I have these last few days while running around up in the mountains with my hair flying wild and free.
And I think it has a lot to do with me learning to love myself a little better and caring a lot less about what my father thinks of me.
“I’ve been far too lenient with you. I knew that brother of yours would poison you against me, but now you’re messing with Damien and his campaign, and this act of defiance needs to be dropped. Immediately.”
To my horror, a tear slips free and slowly trails down my cheek.
My father freezes, shoulders tensing as his eyes zero in on the lone tear. He takes a step forward, instantly sending me one step back.
Raising his hands, he speaks to me in a tone you would reserve for a wounded animal you’ve stumbled upon in the woods. “Daisy, dear, I apologize for upsetting you. I think it’s safe to say we’re all a bit out of sorts, hmm? Please forgive me. Join me for dinner this week, and we can talk about everything he told you. I really want to get to the bottom of this massivemiscommunication. And you’re right. If Damien did say and mean all of those deplorable things, then it is without question that my loyalty and love lie with you, my sweet daughter.” He places a cold hand on my cheek.
I don’t move away from his touch immediately, even though it feels like I should.
Instead, a loud knock on my door has me stepping away. “Are you guys banging in there? Our men will be pissed if we see Coach Weston’s di—” The door swings open to reveal a giggling Isabella with Luisa hot on her heels.
A flash of shock passes over my father’s face as they step into my office.
Their mischievous smiles drop at the sight of him, then at whatever expression must be marring my face. “Daisy, are you okay?” Isa asks as she pulls me to her side, away from my father.
“How the fuck did you get access to this area, George?” Luisa sneers, since she has her own history with my father.
“Ah, if it isn’t my lovely daughter-in-law. Crushed that I wasn’t invited to your second wedding, by the way. Guess I can always hold out for the third one.”
I don’t know why my father insists on taunting Nick and Luisa.
I’ve always wondered why he couldn’t put whatever feelings he has aside for the greater good of the family. It’s what I’ve always done so I could continue having relationships with both men.
But I guess since I’ve always been the one sacrificing on the sidelines, he and his ego have gone unchecked for far too long.
But that ends now.
“Father, I think it best you leave now,” I say calmly as he and Luisa stare each other down.
His head turns my way, and he nods. “I was thinking the same thing. But do me a favor before I leave and unblock me so I can at the very least take my daughter out to dinner and resolve this mess. One dinner, that’s all I ask. After that, I promise youeverything will be in its rightful place and we can finally move on from this disaster.”
“You’ll be communicating through our attorneys if you dare to set foot in this stadium again. After the last time you were here, my husband made it abundantly clear that you are not welcome.”
