Page 121 of My All American Girl

“Thanks, Mom.”

She smiled warmly. “And if that doesn’t work, you tell him I said you two need to talk. He’ll get no more sweet treats from me until you do.”

Hoping like hell she was still talking about cookies, I carried the peace offering out to the garage. As expected, he was working on his Mustang. I knocked softly on the garage door, but I knew he knew I was there without knocking.

“Can I join you?” I asked. “Mom sent me with cookies.”

He nodded but didn’t say anything. I took that as an invitation and stepped inside, sitting on a work stool close by.

“Hand me that wrench,” he grunted.

“The half inch?”

“Obviously.”

We fell into a familiar rhythm, me passing him tools wordlessly, knowing what he needed without him having to ask. The silence between us was thick, filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension. He hadn’t even glanced at the cookies.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Dad, I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk, but please, listen for once in your stubborn life.”

He didn’t say anything, which was good for a change. If I had his ear for five minutes, I was going to use it. If he decided to never speak to me again, that was his choice, but I had to try.

“I wasn’t thinking when Dean and I started to spend time together. And I certainly wasn’t thinking about you. I’m sorry. I was only thinking about me and what I wanted, and what felt right…” I trailed off, unsure if this was making things worse or not. Because things with Dean feel so right.

He continued to work, not looking at me. I didn’t know if it was doing any good, but I had to say it regardless.

“I’ve been so eager to please you my whole life that, at first, Dean felt like a chance to break some rules. It was exciting. Dangerous. But then, as I got to know him, I realized how good of a man he was. Like you. He’s kind. And brilliant. And he gets me, Dad. In a way nobody else ever could. He sees me. And when he talks to me, he really listens, like he wants to understand and he wants to get inside my head. I have never let myself stray from the path. I always knew what our goals were. I’ve worked my ass off to achieve those goals.” I sighed, feeling the tears welling up. “Regardless of how good it felt, I never should have let myself fall for him because I know how much your friendship means to you. And what it means to him. I’m sorry I ruined it. I don’t think it needs to be a bad thing. For what it’s worth, I’m not seeing him anymore. We ended it. But just so you know, that was his choice. He respects your friendship. Ultimately, we’re both choosing to walk away from each other because we both love you and respect you. Your opinion matters. Your acceptance matters.”

My father straightened and put down his tools. For the first time since I’d been home, he looked me in the eyes. His gaze was hard, but there was a flicker of something softer underneath. “I feel like I don’t know Dean anymore. Or you, for that matter. The man I knew would have never dared cross that line with any trainee, let alone my daughter. And you? I don’t know what to say. I thought you were more careful than that.”

His words stung but I didn’t look away. Instead, I swallowed down the lump in my throat and met his gaze head on. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but I am sorry. I messed up. We both did. But it doesn’t mean we’re bad people.”

“And you’re sure it’s over between you two?” His voice came out as a gruff whisper. I wasn’t sure if he was asking out of hope or disappointment.

“Not because we want it to be,” I admitted, “but because it’s what’s best for everyone else.”

“I’ve transferred him out to London,” he said. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

My stomach dropped. “You can’t do that.”

“I can and I did. You both need to get your heads out of each other’s asses. I didn’t raise you to carry on with a superior officer like that. You’ve embarrassed yourself. I’m ashamed for you. I have no idea how bad this is going to blow back on you, but you probably tanked your career. No one will take you seriously. Every superior officer is going to look at you and wonder if you managed to get to where you are because you earned it or because you⁠—”

“Don’t say it,” I whispered.

He gave me a look that cut me to the core. “I don’t have to say it,” he said. “You know exactly what everyone believes.”

I flinched, feeling the tears spill over. Unable to bear the weight of his disappointment, I fled the garage. I didn’t want to go back in the house. Honestly, I just wanted to run. I wanted to get as far from him and the house as I could.

The trip home had been a huge mistake. I didn’t want to disappoint my mom, but it was time to go. I wasn’t helping anyone by being home, least of all me. I wanted to get back to Columbus and find out where Dean was going. I knew it was probably better if we left things as they were, but I wanted to say goodbye. One last goodbye.

I decided to go for a walk. Maybe a run. A car slowly came down the road and I waited for it to pass before I crossed. When the car pulled to a stop in front of me, I went to step around it. A tall, handsome man in aviator sunglasses stepped out of the shiny black car blocking my path.

“Dean.”

My first instinct was to run to him. I was hurting so badly and his embrace usually took the pain away. He always seemed to be there for me when I needed him the most. But to hug him would make the situation worse.

“Fuck it,” I hissed.

He welcomed me with open arms and gave me a fierce hug. We held each other and it felt like I could breathe again.

“Hey.” He smiled as we pulled apart, then frowned when he looked at me. He gently wiped my tears with his thumbs. “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” I said. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to talk to your father,” he said. “Is he home?”

I nodded. “He is. Garage. Don’t offer him cookies. It won’t improve his mood.”

Dean furrowed his brow, then shrugged. “Excuse me,” he said and walked to the garage. I followed behind him, wondering what was going on. He stopped and turned around. “Can you give us a minute?”

I frowned. “Dean, now’s not a good time. I just got him all riled up.”

“It will just take a second,” he said and stepped into the garage. I was tempted to follow him, but this was between them, and I didn’t want to face my father again so soon.

“Maurice,” Dean said, his voice firm. “We need to talk.”