Page 135 of Worth the Risk

“You what?” He’s a man used to being in the know, and that little tidbit just knocked him off his stride.

“Yes, sir. I dropped out of the contest earlier today.” I think of the shocked look on Rissa’s face when I told her and then the knowing grin that followed.

“Why’s that?”

“Because your daughter is more important to me than any prize I ever could win. That’s why.” The words are a challenge thrown out, daring him to question me and tell me I’m wrong.

His eyes harden. His lips purse. And then they slowly spread into a smile. “Is that so?”

“Yes, sir. That’s so.” I cross my arms and lean my back against the door, more than aware that I still haven’t invited him in. I’m ready for the fight. “If I stay in and win, then it taints the contest she worked so hard on. The last thing I want is questions about her dedication or accusations of a rigged contest to be angled her way. I made a deal with her that I’d participate to help make the contest a success. I fulfilled my end of the bargain, but now her success may be questioned if I stay in . . .”

“So, you’d give up the money and prizes?”

“It was never about the money or the prizes.” I take a step toward him. “Like I said, Sidney means more to me than that . . .”

He purses his lips again. “You are talking about my Sidney, right?” And when that smile breaks on his face, I feel like I can breathe for the first time. His laugh echoes around the porch as he cuffs the side of my shoulder while I stare, trying to absorb all of this. “Stubborn? Always right? Fiery temper?”

It takes me a second to believe that this is real. That Frank isn’t here to tell me I can’t see Sidney. That he is nothing like the Hoskins.

“That’s the one,” I murmur.

His laugh is a bit louder this time. “God help you. You’re going to need it.” Then he winks. “But she’s worth every argument and compromise you’ll have to make.”

I nod, hating the emotion in my throat. Hating that I never realized how much I needed this, but now that Frank is here and has expressed his approval, I know that I did.

“That she is,” I say, wondering how exactly I’m going to prove to her that I know that. How I’m going to prove to her I love her after letting her walk away. How I’m going to prove to her that I know she isn’t Claire and that I’ll never make that mistake again.

Because I won’t. This time spent without her and how goddamn horrible I’ve felt is enough of a reminder of what life without Sidney is like . . . and I don’t want to live like this.

I want her.

Plain. Simple. Complicated. Her.

“And how do you plan on making this work?” he asks in a way that should have my back up, but as a father, I recognize a parent only wanting the best for their child.

“We’ll figure it out,” I say. When I sent her the text this morning, I knew I was going to fight for her, but how much so just became so very apparent. “I know she needs her city, so we’ll have to make long distance work for the time being.”

“Do you think that will work?”

“It will have to. All I know is that my life is better with her in it . . . that much has become obvious since she left here . . . so making it work is the only option we have. It’s the only outcome I’ll accept.”

“That’s a big compromise, son.”

I shrug. “She’s worth the risk.”

It’s like déjà vu, standing in the back of Hooligan’s.

So many faces are the same as last time, but the buzz is a lot bigger this go ’round. Sunnyville is anxious to make one of their own Modern Family’s Hot Dad of the Year.

There’s a live band playing. Someone from Modern Family has placed signage in optimal spots for photographs, and there are red and white balloons tied to the ends of the booths to add a splash of color.

From where I stand in the back, I’ve managed to catch a glimpse of four of the five contestants. All but the one I crave to see—Grayson.

For the first time since I stepped foot back in Sunnyville months ago, I feel completely out of place. Strangely enough, my place has kind of been beside Grayson, and to be so uncertain of how he’s going to react to seeing me again is nerve-racking.

“Look at you! It’s only been a week, and I already miss the hell out of you.” Rissa grabs me in the tightest of hugs, which makes me wants to cry.

“It does feel like forever, doesn’t it?”