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Ruthie scurries over to Dad’s side and raises her arms, wanting him to lift her onto his lap. He peers at her with an annoyed expression, pulls a kid’s show up on his phone, and hands it to her. “Not now, Ruthie, I’m busy. Here you go.”
She looks disappointed for a split second before she starts watching the screen and sits on the floor beside his chair.
I glare at him, but he doesn’t notice.
Noel’s parents look slightly uncomfortable at the other end of the table as Serenity tells them her whole process in making the casserole. She’s detailing the ingredients, as if they’re going to make it for themselves someday.
Her dad has finally had enough and stands up. “Well, we better get Gram home. It’s getting late.”
Gram opens her mouth like she’s going to tell him off, but with a look at Serenity, she nods her head. “Yes, please. I’m so, so tired in my old age.”
Slowly, I swivel my head to stare directly at her, and she gives me a coy smile.
I’m bummed they’re leaving, and that I have to spend the rest of the evening alone with Dad and Serenity. Maybe Ruthie will stay up and watch a movie with me. I realize this entire dinner was only tolerable because the Woodcocks were here, and it was really nice having them around. I’d rather spend time with Noel’s parents, than with my dad.
Dad, Serenity and Ruthie say goodbye to our guests, and I walk Noel and her family to the front door. “I’m really glad you all came,” I say, directing my comment to Noel.
Noel’s dad shakes my hand with a firm handshake. “Loved getting to meet you, Colby. Hopefully we’ll see you around again.” He shoots Noel a look and she blushes.
“Likewise, Mr. Woodcock.” I smile at him as he starts ushering the rest of the family outside.
Noel stays behind, looking at me intently, almost like she wants to stay. Or maybe she just feels bad for leaving me behind to deal with my dad and his vegan mistress.
“Thank you for having us, I’m relieved that someone is a worse cook than me,” Noel says with a smirk.
I throw my head back in laughter.
Noel’s mother must’ve heard her daughter’s comment and whisper yells, “Noel! Manners!”
* * *
After Serenity and Ruthie are in bed that night, I attempt to stay up and watch some of the NHL preseason highlights on ESPN with my father. He, apparently, has other ideas and mutes the TV.
He turns to me, his forearms resting on his thighs as he sits on the sprawling sectional in front of my theater system. “Colby, what the hell is going on with you and this… professor?”
My eyebrows draw together. “What do you mean? She’s a good friend of mine, and her best friend is married to Weston Kershaw.”
“I know there’s more going on than that. And I just don’t get it.” He shakes his head.
“Get what?” I ask, not bothering to correct him and tell him nothing is going on.
“You could have anyone you want. Hell, you could do anything you want. You’re not tied down.” He gestures toward the guest room where Ruthie is sleeping, and it makes me despise him even more. “You could have any woman you desire, in your bedroom right now. Actually, you could have three!” He huffs a laugh. “But you’re… at fantasy conventions with a nerdy, academic type?”
I take a breath, collecting myself before I speak. “I guess that’s the difference between you and me, Dad.”
“What?” His face reddens.
“I may have thought that was the best life. But I grew up and grew out of it before I turned thirty. I wish I would’ve grown out of it sooner, or never even entered it. What a waste of time, pursuing women I wouldn’t want a life with. Wouldn’t want a family with.” I pause. “But Noel? I’d be honored. Lucky. To have someone as caring, intelligent, and amazing as her by my side. Fantasy conventions and all.”
Dad stares at me with his mouth partly open, as if he has no words. No retort for what I just leveled him with.
I stand and leave the room before I say anything I might regret.
CHAPTER 18
NOEL
The morning after dinner at Colby’s place, I’m having brunch with my family at a local restaurant before they head back to Maryland. Being around Colby’s dad last night makes me incredibly grateful for my own. I hate that his dad is such a jerk. I never even saw that man pay attention to Ruthie once, or his girlfriend for that matter. He was too busy asking me prying questions, and judging Colby. And why? Colby is extremely successful.
