Cammie had been right.
My daughter, myeverything, hadn’t trusted me. That knocked me on my arse.
I leaned back against Heather’s bed and released a shaky breath. I took a minute to collect my thoughts before I spoke quietly. “You have to understand, flower. My mission in life has been to protect you from everything. Even from me and my emotions.”
Her expression softened and she reached over to squeeze my knee. “And that was fine when I was ten. But our relationship has to change as I get older.”
I gave her a tender smile. “So much wiser than your old man.”
Heather nibbled on her lower lip. “I don’t know about that. I’ve been acting like a brat.”
That brought me to what she’d confessed. “Because you’re worried about losing Hazel to Olivia?”
She gave me a wry, uncertain smirk. “Jealousy isn’t a good look on anyone.”
“Does Hazel know how you feel about her being alone with this other girl?”
“I told her I was fine with it. But she should know better.”
I chuckled. “Baby girl, you can’t expect her to read your mind. You need to tell her how you feel.”
“And have her think I’m insecure and uncool? Nah.”
“Do you love her?”
Her cheeks flushed. “I do.”
“Then tell her how you feel. It’s not unreasonable to feel uncomfortable at the idea of your partner spending time with someone who has admitted to having feelings for them. And how Hazel responds will tell you a lot about where she stands and how much she values her relationship with you.”
Considering my words, Heather nodded slowly. “I suppose so.”
“I know so.” I exhaled shakily. “If we’re being honest with each other … I should tell you that Taran Macbeth and I used to be in a relationship. Before your mum and I.”
Heather straightened, her curiosity obvious. “Really? She’s so pretty, Dad.”
My answering laughter was husky. “Aye, Taran’s always been beautiful. Inside and out.”
“When did you date?”
“Fourteen to nineteen. Taran’s a year younger.”
“Seriously? You were childhood sweethearts?”
I nodded.
“Did you love her?”
“I want to know before I answer if me being honest will hurt your feelings because I’m talking about someone who isn’t your mum.”
Heather grimaced. “Dad, Mum’s already told me Gary is the love of her life. So, no.”
I nodded because I was glad for Kiera. “I would have sailed to the ends of the earth for Taran Macbeth.”
My daughter’s lips parted at my gruff admission. “Dad. I didn’t know you were a romantic.” She gave me a small but confused smile. “If you loved her so much, what happened?”
“I got jealous and insecure when she went to uni.” I gave her a look so she’d understand the parallels I was drawing. “And I didn’t tell her that I was jealous and afraid of losing her, or that I missed her every second she was in Glasgow. Instead, I got pissed off that she didn’t seem to care as much as I did. And we fought and she was hurt and she pushed me away.”
Heather stiffened. “Wait … if you were nineteen … Dad … did you get Mum pregnant and leave Taran for her?”
