She laughed and let her hand drop. “Teen girls usually are.”
“Thanks for being here.” His voice came out gruff, thick. He blinked a few times, and for a moment Rowan wished this weren’t going to end with the summer. The thought surprised her, but she refused to examine it any further.
“You’re welcome. How about we get some shaved ice and watch the sunset?”
His slow smile lit up her insides. “I think that’s a great idea. Lead the way.”
She did.
Chapter Nineteen
The house was quiet. The kind of quiet that comes after hours spent with salt water, laughter, and chaos. The kind holding a deep, satisfied exhaustion that settles after a long, sunburned day.
Everett stood by the sliding glass doors, nursing a beer that had gone warm. The faint sound of the ocean drifted in the fragrant air. The beach party had been everything Kelsey wanted. Surfing and giggling girls; kids running barefoot between the bonfire and the water; a sense of community and belonging.
He’d thought they had a satisfying life in New York. Kelsey had friends and never complained. He had coworkers he liked, with the occasional date that always led to tidy endings. He loved his job, and the city was dynamic, full of education and opportunities and activity.
So why did tonight feel so much more ... real? He’d only spoken with Tino and Howie for a short time. Yet, their conversation revolved around issues deeper than a business deal, and they didn’t care about his social status. There was nothing to prove, simply an exchange based on human emotion and some snarky humor he enjoyed. When was the last time his interactions were about more than work, or tasks, or goals?
He rubbed his temple as the thoughts tangled in his head. He’d made fun of Rowan for the way she lived, judging harshly because her priorities were different. Shame filled him. He’d thought himself better than that. She’d taught him so much more ... and kept pushing him to new, uncomfortable levels.
Everett couldn’t stop thinking of how his daughter had tugged Rowan aside. The wide eyes and uncertainty in her face. The flash of helplessness occurred more often than he wanted, especially as she got older.
And Rowan had stepped in without hesitation to handle this emotional time with grace and kindness. Kelsey had shared personal moments about her mom, and Rowan had been able to not only understand, but know exactly what she was going through.
Rowan had changed everything.
He heard Kelsey’s door creak and turned as she padded into the living room. Clad in an oversize T-shirt, hair still damp from her shower, she hesitated when she saw him.
“Hey,” he said softly. “Can’t sleep?”
She shook her head and flopped on the couch. Pulling her knees up, she tucked her bare feet underneath. Everett sat down beside her. “Good party, right?” he asked.
“Yeah.” A small smile. “It was amazing. I really like Brie and Mia and Chelsea. They said my stance is solid and now I get to practice bottom turns. I also like Tino and Cousin Howie. They’re super nice and make me laugh.”
“That’s great, Kels. I’m proud of you.”
She nodded, staring at her hands for a second. Then: “Dad?”
Were his palms sweating? Would she tell him? Would he screw up this fragile confidence if she did? “Yeah?”
Her voice came small, uncertain. “I ... um ... I got my period tonight.”
For a second, the words hung there, simple and monumental. Slowly, he nodded. “I figured,” he said gently. “Rowan told me she helped. I hope you’re not mad she told me.”
Kelsey’s cheeks flushed pink. “No, it’s okay. I freaked out. But she was so calm. She said it’s normal. She even had, like, supplies under the sink to help. Who does that?”
He smiled, a lump rising in his throat. “Someone who’s prepared for anything, apparently.”
“She didn’t make it weird, either. Said it was, like, a good thing because that’s what my body is supposed to do.”
Everett swallowed hard. “It’s true. I’m really glad she was there for you.”
“I got mad, though. About Mom not being there.” She nibbled at her lower lip. He studied her bare feet and braces and that tiny crease between her brow when she was thinking hard. She was growing up so fast, and he couldn’t get his feet underneath him. “Do you know the same thing happened to Rowan? Her mom left, too, but she said it’s their loss because we both have great dads thatarethere.”
Something broke loose in his chest. Everett doubted it’d ever reknit again. He had to clear his throat to talk. “Rowan’s right. I can’t take that pain away from you, honey. I hate that you have it, but anyone who’s lucky enough to know you is blessed. I still can’t believe I get to be your dad. I got the best part of the bargain. I swear it.”
She blinked a few times and then the tension in her face smoothed out. Those beautiful blue eyes brightened with the innate joy that was part of her core. She leaned her head on his arm and the world righted itself again. “Thanks for not getting weird.”
