She smiles. “I’ve always been smart. You on the other hand…” She clicks her tongue. “Your frontal lobe is unfortunately fully developed, but maybe there’s still a chance you can learn new things.”
My eyebrows pinch together. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or offended.”
Her smile reaches her eyes. “Both are acceptable, though impressed is preferred.”
“Goddamn, you’re a Ford,” I chuckle, throwing my arm over the tops of her shoulders. Her sweetness cloaks the arrogance that simmers beneath. There’s no denying she’s my little sister.
Bella leans her head against my chest. “Promise you’ll at least think about apologizing?”
I sigh. “I promise.”
As much as I don’t want to admit it, I know she’s right.
After everyone starts to clear out, my mother and sisters are in the living room when my father asks me to meet him out back. My footsteps are heavy as I walk out onto the back patio and find him sitting in a chair, looking over the pool in the backyard.
I don’t say anything as I take a seat next to him.
“I owe you an apology,” he starts, his voice soft as he rubs at his chin. He slowly shifts in his seat, turning to look at me. “I’m sorry for being so hard on you.” He sighs, raking his hand through his salt and peppered hair. “It’s just hard sometimes, you know? We weren’t taught how to parent and trying to be your parent when you’re an adult is equally just as hard.”
My breath quickens and I lift my brows in surprise as I look back at him. What the hell? He’s apologizing to me first? I swallow hard, shaking my head. Carson Ford is a proud man and a good man. Although, the two of us butt heads from time to time.
And apologies aren't freely handed out.
“It’s not your fault, Dad,” I say, shaking my head again. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did about it. I don’t always deal with criticism well and that’s something I need to work on.”
He purses his lips. “It wasn’t meant to be a criticism. You’re an adult and can make your own decisions. I forget that sometimes. In my mind, you’re still just my little guy and I can’t help but feel like I need to guide you in the right direction.”
“It’s just been a rough season,” I admit with a shrug. “I know you were disappointed, but I wasn’t fucking off. I was struggling mentally.”
He stares at me for a moment before nodding. “Rough seasons happen. I’m sorry for not listening to you and passing judgment where it wasn’t due. I was never disappointed. The last thing I want to see is you or your sisters throwing your futures away.”
“I haven’t, Dad,” I assure him. “My future is still very much intact. My career is fine. I’m just still figuring some things out.”
Like how to not overthink things and how to get out of my damn head.
“Sometimes I get in my own way,” I add.
“I get that,” he nods again, his expression soft and warm. “I just want you to know I’m sorry and I hope we can move forward from this.”
I swallow hard as the weight lifts from my chest. We’d been needing to have this conversation. Things haven’t felt right since we got into the stupid fight. “I’d like that.”
“I’m sorry for not apologizing sooner,” he says after a moment, letting out a deep sigh of regret.
“It’s okay,” I chuckle, a smile breaking out across my face. “I’m sorry I didn’t either. Believe it or not, sometimes my ego doesn’t want me to admit when I’m wrong.”
A soft laugh comes from the backdoor as it’s pushed open. “Hmm. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it, Carson?” My mother walks over to him, planting her hands on the tops of his shoulders. “You are your father’s son,” she says to me, a smile pulling across her lips.
“Let’s try not to do this again?” My dad says, looking back at me. He shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll let you do your thing, from now on. I’m just here to be supportive, without critiquing.”
“That sounds great.” I nod at him, contentment washing over me. “I’ll also, you know, keep my shit together if I don’t like something you said.”
“Thank God you two finally got over your little fight!” Elena claps her hands from where she’s standing in the doorway. Bella stands next to her, her head tipping back as laughter falls from her lips.
“Okay, the three of you can go back inside now,” my father says as he reaches for Mom’s waist and pulls her over to him. “I need to talk to your mom for a minute.”
“Or two,” she giggles as she drops down onto his lap.
“You guys are gross,” Elena scoffs, spinning on her heel to head inside. I’m already on my feet, walking away from the two of them.
