Page 155 of I Choose You

“Kody has always had a bit of a selfish edge to him. Your mother used to always blame it on you.” He smiled. “You were born two minutes before him and he was always trying to be number one.”

I rolled my eyes. “I guess.”

“I’ve been hoping he would meet a nice girl who would knock some sense into him. A nice, smart, ball-buster of a woman who wouldn’t take his crap.”

“Dad, it’s not some poor girl’s job. Kody needs to be better because he chooses to, not to appease someone else.”

“I know what you mean. I do. But I also know what the power of a woman—the right woman—can do. I was a lot like Kody before I met your mother. She had the patience of an angel, putting up with me and sticking around. Before I met her and fell in love with her, I was just like your brother.”

“Well, we know where he gets it from, then, huh?”

He smirked at me. “But when I fell in love with your mother, she changed me. She didn’t set out to. No one should try to manipulate or change anyone else. But her spirit, the love we shared? That made me want to be better. I didn’t want to be an ass, I wanted to be a man she’d be proud to be married to. I didn’t want to be selfish.” He coughed a single laugh. “I was. I was selfish to want her to be mine. But in having her, I understood what a gift she was. And treasuring her taught me that I had no room for selfishness in my life.”

He didn’t need to spell it out. Every word he spoke resonated. What he described was the same phenomenon I felt with Brooke.

“Your mother challenged me and didn’t tolerate my bullshit.”

I grinned, thinking of Brooke’s edgy sass.

“Don’t you know?” he asked, his tone gentler and not at all teasing. “Doesn’t Brooke push you to do better, to be better?”

I nodded.

“Securing your woman’s happiness is the greatest thing you can do. And with that focus and motivation all that other nonsense fails to matter.”

“And you think there’s a patient woman out there who’d be strong enough to put up with his bullshit?”

He chuckled. “I’ll keep praying on it.”

“More like wishing for the impossible.”

“I’m not making an excuse for him. He was in the wrong, and I have faith he’ll come around and know that. I didn’t raise you two to be assholes, and deep down, I don’t think he is at heart.”

I thought back to the discussion I had with Brooke in the hot tub, where she explained her theory—that all people could be good, and even the good ones had the capacity to do bad. And someone good usually struck out when they were hurting.

“All I’ll ask is that you exercise more of the same patience that I know you have. The same patience I use with him.”

I sighed. “Yeah.”

“I’d appreciate it if you could make things right with him. Before the wedding, I’d like it if you could speak with Kody and figure out a way to get past this.”

“I already plan to.”

He grinned, his cigar between his lips. “I know. You’re a good man, Kaden. You both are, but I hope you know that I recognize and admire your character, your ability to always be as compassionate and considerate as possible.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I patted him on his back.

“All I want is for you to make amends before the wedding. That’s the only wedding gift I need.”

I smiled. “Good, because it’s the only one you’re going to get, you rich bastard.”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Were you actually expecting a gift?”

He arched a brow. “I don’t know. Maybe some grandkids sooner or later.”

I gaped at him, almost dropping my cigar straight out of my mouth. “Jeez. Don’t pull any punches, Dad.”