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“She asked us not to say anything,” Dad says softly.
“At least until she knew it was officially happening,” Mom adds.
“Why wouldn’t she want me to know?” My brows draw together as I walk into my bathroom and grab my tooth brush. This isn't the first time I’ve gotten ready for bed while on a call with them and I'm sure it won't be the last.
“You hurt her, Wyatt. We understand why you did it, but that doesn’t change the hurt she feels.” Mom’s words wash over me and make me feel like crap. I never meant to hurt her.
“I just wanted her to follow her dreams. I didn’t want her to feel like she had to follow me across the country as I chased my own future.” I shake my head as I think back to how everything played out.
“Well, you were a dumbass and made a mistake. You never should’ve dumped her. You should’ve talked to her and told her what you were thinking.” Dad doesn’t bother sugarcoating it. He never does.
“How do I fix it?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. You need to have an honest conversation with her. Until you can do that, you’ll never be able to have more between the two of you,” Mom says softly.
“Well, I think she’s home. I just heard a car door shut,” Dad mutters.
“Yeah, why didn’t I know she stays in my room sometimes?”
“Aw, I'm sorry, did you want to come and sniff the sheets after she leaves?”
“No,” I grumble under my breath. “But you could’ve let me know when she was home so I could talk to her in person. Where are your loyalties?”
“In my defense, she’s been in my life longer.” Dad shrugs.
“Blake! Don’t say that!” Mom swats at his chest.
“Oh, he knows I love him! But I love that girl too! She’s just as much of my daughter as Nikita or Peyton are. I was just hoping he’d marry her so she’d officially be my daughter. Now, be quiet because she’s unlocking the door.”
I frown at him and wonder when Charlie got a key to my childhood home. Knowing Dad, she’s probably had a key longer than I have. He really does love her like a daughter. They were always so close. Hell, he got Charlie’s name tattooed on his chest before he met Mom.
Based on what I’ve heard over the years, Dad really helped Charlie after her mom died. He was constantly at her side, making her laugh and smile. They became practically inseparable.
It’s not surprising at all. Dad did the same thing when we met after my parents died. He was the only person who made me feel better. He has a gift at helping people through their grief. If hewasn’t so good at building houses, I’d tell him to become a therapist. He loves working with his hands too much for that though.
Sometimes I wonder if Dad had never met Charlie, would he still have adopted me. I’ve heard rumors of how he was before Charlie bulldozed into his life. He sounded more like Smithy and I can't imagine Blake Everson being anything like Smithy.
“Hey, sweetie. Did you have fun tonight?” Mom glances at the front door and smiles.
“Kinda. It was… interesting. Macy and Cord fought a lot. Cici and Leo were quiet, and Wyatt…” She trails off and I wish I could see her to know what she’s thinking. I used to be able to read Charlie like an open book. Lately, it isn't nearly as easy and I hate that.
“Is a handsome beast?” Dad asks with a devilish grin.
“It’s just weird between us. I wish we could go back to how things used to be. Anyway, I'm going to take a shower, then go to sleep. I have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Are you excited for this change?” Mom watches her carefully.
“I guess a little. I'm nervous though.”
“Well, I washed and folded Wyatt’s sweatshirt you wore last night. I made sure to spray his cologne on it so it still smells like him.” Dad’s face lights up with amusement. “I wouldn’t want you to go a night without it.”
“Thanks, Uncle Blakie.” I can hear the eye roll in Charlie’s voice. “Goodnight.”
Footstepsmove up the stairs and fade before Dad lifts the phone back up so I can see them better.
“Do you still need convincing you made a mistake?” He arches a brow. “Get your head out of your ass and fix it, son.”
“Goodnight.” I sigh and end the call to him laughing.
