I suck in a deep breath. “He said he wants to talk, but I don’t feel like I should apologize first.”
“Because you don’t think you’re wrong?”
It’s not just me. We’re both wrong with how we handled things.
“Because he started it.”
Bella huffs. “That’s so childish.”
“Well, isn’t he being childish too if he can’t be the bigger person and apologize?”
“Remember what Uncle Caleb used to always say to us when we were kids?”
I bite the inside of my cheek, not wanting to answer her. I know what she’s going to say before she even speaks the words.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late,” she echoes the words from inside my head. “Stop waiting for him to be the bigger person and do it yourself.”
My face contorts as my eyes slice to hers. “That’s a little extreme. Dad’s not dying.”
“Neither was Amelia, and look what happened to her. Do you think Uncle Cale expected her to just be gone like that?”
My stomach twists into a knot. Neither of us ever met Uncle Caleb’s first wife, Amelia. She was killed in a car accident when a drunk driver hit her head on.
Bella shrugs and pushes away from the counter. “Nothing is guaranteed except for the present moment.”
I tilt my head to the side, letting her words creep into the crevices of my brain, knowing she’s right. “When did you get so smart, little Belle?”
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.”
