"Declan. He's in Miami with his friends for the holiday."
"Miami, huh? Nice." He turns back to the stove. "Why didn't you go with him?"
"It's a guys' trip. They do it every year."
He lets it go, but I can tell he wants to push the issue.
We finish our pizza and head into the kitchen to make a few casseroles for tomorrow.
My phone buzzes again.
Declan:Crew already did something stupid. Had to save him from some aggressive seagulls. How are you?
Me:Good. Making green bean casserole.
Declan:Tell your dad I said hi.
Me:Will do. Have fun.
Declan:Miss you.
I set my phone face down and go back to opening cans.
"Boyfriend checking in?" Dad asks.
"Yeah."
"Seems like a good kid.”
"He is.”
"But?"
I frown. “But nothing.”
"I know you, sweetheart, and something's bothering you." He slides the casserole into the oven and turns to look at me. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
"Okay."
That's the thing about my dad. He doesn't push. He just leaves space for me to talk when I'm ready.
We finish the side dishes, make two pies, and call it a night. I help him clean up before we settle in the living room with more pizza and beer.
My phone buzzes constantly. The group chat I’m in with the guys is apparently very active. They added me shortly after I moved into the house. Usually, it’s just messages about who’s making dinner and who didn’t flush the downstairs toilet.
Tonight, they are sharing everything. I’m not sure whether they want to include me or forgot I was in the chat.
I scroll through the latest round of photos. Declan's laughing at something Ashton said.
He looks happy. Carefree. Exactly what he said he needed.
So why does it make my stomach twist?
"All right,” Dad says. “What's really going on?"
"It's complicated."
