“It’s not like that, Richard.”
“What is it like, then?” he growls, glaring at me. “Are you two involved, or am I completely off base here?”
“We’re...” River hesitates, and her gaze slides to me.
I’m not sure how she wants me to respond. We haven’t had this conversation, and now we’re doing it in front of her father.
“We’re figuring things out,” I finish.
“How long has this been going on?”
“Dad, listen,” River starts, “we haven’t had a chance to talk yet, and this is really none of your business.”
“None of my business? You’re my daughter, River. It’s very much my business. Have you lost your mind, getting involved with your boss? With my friend?”
River looks like she’s ready to crawl under a rock.
“Hey,” I interject. “This isn’t her fault, Richard. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me.”
“Oh, I’m definitely mad at you, Colby. But I’m not surprised. Or at least I shouldn’t be.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“You know what it means. You’re not exactly known for your self-restraint, now, are you?”
“Dad,” River chides.
“It’s the truth, sweetheart. You’ve worked with him long enough. I’m sure you’ve seen the women come and go. It’s not like Colby hasn’t earned his reputation.”
“He’s a grown man, Dad. And he doesn’t have to defend his past choices. There hasn’t been one woman in this house since I got here besides me. Not a single one.”
Richard raises his brows and shakes his head. “That doesn’t change the fact that you work for him. For God’s sake, you’re living in his house. You have a job to do, and it isn’t sleeping with the boss.. I thought you were here to turn your life around, River. To take this seriously. You’re better than this.”
“Hey, enough,” I snap, stepping between them. “River, would you mind giving me a moment with your father? I think we need to talk, man-to-man.”
She doesn’t say a word. Instead, she pivots on her heels and storms into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
“Jesus, Colby. You’ve gotta be kidding me. My own daughter.” Richard shakes his head and runs a hand over his mouth. “You can’t possibly think this is a good idea. It’s not, and you know it. She works for you. You’re taking advantage.”
“I’m not taking advantage of her,” I insist. “It just...happened. I didn’t plan it.”
“I don’t care what you planned. It doesn’t matter. It’s not happening. She’s been through too much already, and I won’t stand by and let her get hurt. She needs to focus on herself right now, not you.”
“Richard, I understand why you’re concerned. After my divorce, you were the only one who was there for me, and I’ll always be grateful for that. And yes, I may have made some poor choices when it comes to women since then, but this is different. River is different.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Colby. A man like you isn’t capable of having a serious relationship. And a girl like River deserves more. She deserves someone who’s going to love her, not a player like you.”
His words barrel into me so I hard that I have to take a step back. This man, my friend, knows me well. He knows the things I’ve done and the kind of reputation I’ve cultivated. But River isn’t some random hookup. She’s different, and I’d never do anything to hurt her.
“I wouldn’t have started something with River if I wasn’t serious, Richard. You have to believe that. But she’s not some fling, and you’re wrong about me. I’ve changed. She has changed me without me even realizing it. Being around her...it’s good for me. It’s good for my soul.”
“That’s a hell of a speech, Colby, but that’s all it is. I don’t doubt that you care about her. That much is obvious. But you can’t give her what she needs. What she deserves. I won’t sit here and watch you destroy my little girl.”
“You’re wrong,” I argue.
“Am I?” Richard asks, crossing his arms. “I don’t think I am. If you truly care about her, then you’ll let her go. You’ll set her free to find the kind of happiness she deserves. Let her figure her life out, and let her do it away from here. She can’t do that if she’s busy playing house with you.”
“Richard, that’s not fair. If River wants to leave, that’s her choice. I won’t hold her here, but I can’t just send her away.”
