Page 117 of Legacy

“I hate your dad. More than anything. And that’s saying something because a lot of people piss me off in this town.”

“Well, I hope I’m not the one pissing you off anymore.” I paused and set the case down. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for lying and not telling you about me and Felicity.”

“You didn’t lie. You just didn’t tell me. Which, I guess, is something different.”

“Still, I should have at least told you. I don’t want to say I should’ve asked for permission because I won’t ask permission when it comes to her. I’m sorry.”

“I think if you tried to ask permission, Felicity would kick us both in the balls.”

“We’d deserve it.”

My lips twitched even as I let out a breath.

“I love her.”

Rune shook his head, even as I realized I hadn’t truly said the words out loud before.

“I didn’t mean to. Didn’t mean to fall. But I’m there now. And I don’t want to go back.”

“Don’t. I know we say things and warn each other about things like, if you hurt her, I’ll kill you, but I don’t think you will. You deserve happiness, Callum. After everything that happened with Georgia and with your dad and your family. With Malcolm…” He let his voice trail off as we each took a deep breath.

“It’s hard for me to focus sometimes, knowing that I don’t have a good answer for why I feel the way that I do. Or how I’m supposed to fix this shit.”

“You don’t have to fix everything. You know that, right?”

“Don’t I? I’m the eldest. It’s my job.”

“Well, I can tell you that the more pressure you put on yourself as the eldest, the more likely you’re going to fuck it up.”

“That brings me so much joy,” I said wryly.

“It’s the truth. The fact that you talk to Felicity about your mom? That’s huge. You only mention her to me when you’re drunk or when you don’t realize that you’re saying it.”

“I seriously miss my mom. I miss the way that she took care of us, even when I would hate her a little bit for not leaving. Which just makes me feel like an asshole.”

“Your dad wasn’t always bad. You know that.”

I ran a hand over my chest, holding back a growl. “No. He wasn’t. We had some good times when we were younger. That’s why we ended up with so many siblings. But then he started drinking, and he didn’t stop.”

“I’ll hate him forever for what he did to your family. But he doesn’t matter. He can’t matter. If you want to move on and try to find happiness here, albeit with my baby sister, you’re going to have to push him from your mind.”

“Easier said than done when he lurks around like a fucking weirdo.”

“His liver has to give out sometime.”

“I hear we’re talking about Dad?” Bodhi said as he came forward, rubbing his shoulder where I knew the burn scars were the worst.

“Is it sad that you’re right?” Teagan asked, barking a laugh. “What a family we make.”

“I don’t know. You let me be an asshole in the woods, and you only sometimes force me into family events like these. We’re not all bad.”

“I guess you’re right.” I ran my hand over my chest. “You ever miss Mom?” I blurted while Rune froze at my side.

Bodhi tilted his head, studying me. “Every damn day. I miss the way that she would take care of us and teach us to take care of ourselves. But it’s been a long damn time, Callum. And we’ve gone through way worse hell since. Which is saying something.”

“I didn’t mean to bring her up. Damn it.” I ran my hand over my face. “Sorry. It’s just with that asshole coming at Felicity, it’s just making me think about everything. You know?”

“Have you told that girl that you love her yet?” Bodhi asked.