“You’re okay though, right?”
“Yeah, I’m being discharged tomorrow. His face grows serious and he interlaces our fingers. “The doctors say you’ll be here another week,” he murmurs, thumb caressing the back of my hand. “But I won’t leave you.”
“You scared me,” I admit. “When you lost consciousness…”
“Nah.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “I was resting my eyes so your brother could play hero when he finally showed up. Didn’t want him to feel bad about missing out on all the action.”
I snort. “Liar.”
God, I love this man.
He leans forward to kiss me, and I glimpse the wheelchair pushed against the wall.
“Damn, Gangster, I know you’re older than me, but I thought we had a few years before you’d need one of those.”
He looks adorably confused until he realizes where I’m looking and rolls his eyes. “I see they didn’t remove your terrible sense of humor along with your spleen.”
A few days later,I’m officially over being in the hospital. Between the constant poking and prodding and noises, it is impossible to sleep. I’ve resorted to begging Liev to take me home. He’s kept his word about not leaving me.
Elizabeth told me that after Liev made a hefty donation to the hospital, once I was awake, they’d wheeled in another bed next to mine. He even showers in the small, attached bathroom.
Today is the first time I’ve convinced him that it’s okay to leave me alone for a couple of hours. He’s done most of his business over the phone, but this role is new, and I know there are parts he’s neglecting. After assuring him that Elizabeth was coming to visit and promising to call if I needed him, he finally left.
“Come in,” I call when there is a knock at the door.
But instead of Elizabeth, I see Ray framed in the doorway, holding a massive bouquet of flowers. He looks terrible... older.The lines around his eyes are deeper, and his normal swaggering posture has been replaced by slumped shoulders.
“Ray?”
“Hey, kiddo.” He sets the flowers down, easing into the chair next to the bed like he’s afraid I’m going to tell him to get out.
“What are you doing here?”
He flinches. “I guess I deserve that.”
Guilt fills my chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just surprised to see you.”
“Your brother called. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me here or not.” He rubs a large palm over his face, exhaling roughly.
“I’m glad you’re here.” To my surprise, it’s the truth.
“I have something I need to say to you.” He stares at his hands for a minute before meeting my gaze. “The last time I saw you in a hospital... after the acid... I said the absolute worst thing I could. I’m not trying to make excuses, I just want to explain.”
He takes in a deep breath, and I do my best to keep my face neutral. I’ve never seen my father like this. There is no posturing, no jokes. He seems… genuine.
“I was worried when I got Brady’s call last time. But I told myself you were young, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. And then I saw you. Saw how much pain you were in. Knew the rough road ahead of you and…” His voice cracks, and he shakes his head. “I failed you. I didn’t know how to handle it, so I made a joke. A horrible insensitive joke, and I will always regret it.”
I stare at him openmouthed.
“But this time... when your brother told me what happened.” His breath catches and his lips tremble. Then he shakes his head and frowns like he’s arguing with himself. “When Brady called me, I’ve never been more scared in my entire life. I thought I might lose you for good.” His eyes glisten, and then an actual tear drips down his face.
The raw emotion showing from a man who’d always been larger than life, but who never really appeared to care much about me, is thoroughly rattling.
“And I was going to lose you before I got the chance to make it right.” He continues looking miserable. “All those years I wasted, keeping you a secret, being a shit dad... Do you think you can ever?—”
“Dad.” I cut him off softly. “How about we just move forward? See how it goes.”
He nods, swiping at his face with a rough hand, a choked laugh escaping. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
