“I ran into your dad.”
Chapter 37
Vox
Hearing that statement shouldn’t be so jarring since I heard Grey say my old man was supposedly here. But hearing thatConnorhas seen him, heard his voice, and interacted with him still shocks me, and I swallow hard, staring at the horizon, trying to get my bearings.
“I’m sorry to just blurt it out like that,” Connor says next to me.
I plead with myself to deploy rationality right now and not lash out like the immature child everyone thinks I am, especially where my dad is concerned.
“It’s fine. That statement doesn’t really need an intro.” I smile at Connor, but I’m far more overwhelmed now that I know for certain my dad is here…and maybe a little jealous that Connor got a chance to talk to him.
I sit with that feeling for a few seconds.
I cycle quickly through anger, sadness, hope, and betrayal, finally landing on indifference. His being here doesn’t change anything, though I can’t help but want to ask so manyquestions.How does he look? Does he miss me? Does he want money?I’m afraid to get my hopes up for a man who couldn’t offer me what I needed as a child, and most likely can’t offer it now, either.
When I open my mouth to simply ask what he said to Connor, all that comes out is a clipped, “And?”
“Let’s finish this ride and grab a proper drink, then we can talk,” Connor says, attempting to backtrack after watching me choke down my thoughts and feelings on this matter. I sometimes forget how well he can read me.
“As soon as we come down from here, you know we run a major risk of being seen or interrupted,” I point out, knowing this moment right here is the most privacy we’re going to have until one of us is out from under the Patterson umbrella. “Just tell me now.”
Sensing it’s what I truly want, Connor starts talking.
“He said he owns a board shop in California. Sounds like he started his own brand. He said it’s mostly surf and skate right now, but he wants to branch into snowboards as well.”
Connor trails off, giving me a minute to process this information.
“So, he wants to use me to build his brand name…figures. But he’s a little late.”Someone’s already done that,I think harshly, shocking myself with the thought. I know how Connor feels about Grey, but I’ve never been suspicious or felt mistreated.
Connor chews on his bottom lip for a second. Thankfully, it’s not windy up here, but it’s still cold and dry, chapping our lips. Rooting around in my pocket, I find the small tube and hold my Chapstick out to him before he makes his lip bleed from worrying it to death.
“Whatever it is, just tell me,” I plead.
Running the little stick over his lips, Connor damn near stops my heart with his next sentence.
“Supposedly, he’s been trying to get in touch with you for seven years, but Grey’s been blocking all his points of access.”
It’s a good thing I’m already looking at Connor because otherwise, I would’ve cracked every vertebra in my neck to gawk at him now.
“What did you just say?”
Connor removes one of his gloves and unzips the pocket on his board pants. He pulls out a business card and hands it to me.
“He said you can reach him at the number on the card.” After a pregnant pause, like he’s not sure if he’s going to say the next part, Connor adds, “He also asked me to tell you he’s proud of you.”
I bite my tongue to give myself something to focus on other than the tears welling in my eyes.Fuck, he doesn’t deserve my tears. What? He says one nice thing, and I’m just going to let him waltz right back into my life? He’s probably lying anyway.
Connor shoots that thought down, though, when he places frozen fingers against my cheek.
“For what it’s worth, Vox, he sounded sincere. Broken. Resigned to your silence. You don’t owe him a thing, but maybe you should consider hearing him out. Give yourself that chance for closure.”
I drive the heels of my gloved hands into my eyes.
“What happens if what he said is true, and Grey has kept him away all this time? What the fuck will I say to Grey?”
“Let’s cross one bridge at a time,” Connor says rationally.
