Page 87 of Unforgettable Player

Dad nods. “Okay.”

“And I have feelings for Elliot.”

A big grin spreads over his face. “That’s wonderful.”

“No, it’s not, Dad.”

He frowns.

“Scout,” I say.

“Ah.” He chuckles and rubs the overnight stubble on his chin. “Your sister is all bark and no bite. She’s a big softie, really.”

I snort. “With you, maybe. But I’m not her beloved daddy. She will not forgive me for stealing her best friend. And I won’t do that to Elliot.”

Dad steps further into the room, looking at the unmade bed before taking a seat on the edge. “Why would you have to steal him? You guys go to the same college. Who says he’d have to stop being friends with Scout just because you two are dating?”

“Scout says.”

He laughs. “Don’t let her get her own way.”

“Says you.”

Before he can try to convince me anymore, I cut in. “Elliot doesn’t want it anyway. So it’s a moot point.”

“Something tells me Eli doesn’t let himself have much of what he wants.”

My stomach drops at my dad verbalizing something I already know. “I can’t change that, Dad. I can’t force him.”

“No,” he agrees. “But you can make it clear that you’ll be there, when he changes his mind.”

I sink down next to him, rubbing a hand over my scratchy face. “You don’t think it would be weird?”

He chuckles. “Don’t think what would be weird? You dating Elliot? No. Your mom’s been trying to get him married into the family ever since Scout brought him home from kindergarten.”

I shake my head.

“He doesn’t trust me, Dad.”

“What do you mean?” Dad frowns.

“I haven’t exactly given him much reason to think I’m anything but a flight risk.”

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “You’re so young, you don’t even realize. I wasn’t exactly always on the right path when I was your age either.”

I don’t believe him. I know my dad’s life, or at least, I think I do. As far as I know, he never almost flunked out of school and gave up on his life’s passion.

“You know, I wanted to be a pilot when I was your age. In the Air Force.”

“What?”

He nods. “I was in the air cadets and everything.”

“What happened?”

“I met your mother. My goals changed. I didn’t want to be stationed all over the place with a family or put them in a position where I might be in a dangerous job and have to leave them to fend for themselves. It’s okay if you change course, son. So long as it’s for the right reasons.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think any of my course changes have been for the right reason.”