Page 100 of Born to Scar

That stupid, charming smile crosses his face. “If you wanted to marry me, that’s all you had to say.”

Wine spews from Indy’s lips with her eyes wide. “Oh, fuck. I’m so sorry,” she whispers through the hand she slapped over her mouth. Again, she’s trying her damnedest not to laugh.

This is a nightmare.

I should have just accepted his invite and left these people I’ve come to love and call my family here in the dark, never to see the light of day again.

“Lighten up, son. It’s not that serious. By the looks of it, you don’t need any more than what you have. Your life is so full. You have an amazing family, who clearly love and support you. You’ve done so much with your life. I’m proud of you, buddy. Thanks for sharing this with me.”

My eyes glass over, and I blink the tears back, but one slips down my cheek. Indy starts to stand, but Dad beats her to me. His arms wrap around me.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” He squeezes tighter like I might disappear if he doesn’t. And maybe to him, it feels like I might. I’m not going to disappear again. I’ll have to prove that to him, but I’m ready to do just that.

“It’s okay, buddy. It’s okay. I’m here, whenever you need me,” he murmurs into my hair.

Indy gently pushes us to the living room, leaving us there, while the three of them give us privacy to talk—the talk we’ve been needing to have for years, the talk I’m ready for, to move forward.

CAM

Now that Jay and his dad are on the mend, it’s important to Indy that I try with mine too. It’s time I made good on my deal with Jay, anyway. My mother has been so easy. She always has been, at least in my adult life. When she found out about everything Indy has been through, any and all judgment of her flew out the window. It only took one time meeting Jay and Indy for my mother to love them as her own. Jay is apprehensive around her, but after his past, no one blames him. She’s doing a great job making him feel included when he stays one step behind.

My father and I still haven’t spoken outside of business, to this point. But we’re both stubborn and prideful. His coming to her hearings was an olive branch on his part. Now it’s my turn. The three others have left for a few hours, while I get the time and space that I need to talk to my dad alone. It was a surprise when he took me up on the invite, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the others will be back before he leaves. The doorbell chimes, and I freeze. Maybe I should have let them stay. I thought it’d be easier by myself.

I made a mistake.

The doorbell chimes again, pulling me from my head. I swing the door open, staring into the eyes I inherited. He shifts on his feet.

“Hey, Dad. Come on…in.” My voice is reduced to nothing but a whisper. He nods, moving past me.

“Well, I was thinking this place didn’t fit your usual style, but the inside fits you perfectly.”

I nod, because he’s right. While the inside of Jay’s house is clean and sleek, the outside leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a standard cookie-cutter home in a standard cookie-cutter neighborhood.

“He’s super smart, Dad. He almost makes as much as I do.” It’s true. You’d never know it by how he acts or how he dresses, but he’s highly respected for what he does.

“Really?” he asks, intrigued.

I nod, not willing to reveal too much more. It’s not my business to tell.

“Listen, Cam. I’m sorry. You and your mother were right that day in your office. I thought that because our families and businesses were so close, sticking you two together was a foolproof plan to expand. But I didn’t even like Angela. Her parents were okay, but not essential. So, I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. You did everything you were asked to do, and I shouldn’t have pushed you for more. I am truly sorry.”

“Thanks, Dad. That means…” What does that mean? There’s so much more than just that moment. I don’t expect us to change everything overnight, so for now, this is enough. It’s more than enough. “A lot.”

“I know there’s so much more we need to talk about, but I want you to know I thought you were brave to stand up to me for your partners. You never pushed back like that. That’s the moment I knew they were important to you. That this meant more to you. Your mother and I always agreed that we’d let you love who you wanted.”

I arch my brow. It certainly didn’t feel that way when Angela was around.

“No. I mean”—he clears his throat—“if you were gay or straight.”

“What about bi?” I smirk.

He laughs. The man in front of me just laughed. I think this is the first time as an adult he’s laughed at something I’ve said.

“Yes, even that. Did you know? As you were growing up?”

I shake my head. I had no idea this is where I’d be now. I wouldn’t change it for anything, but I can say without doubt, had that car not stalled that night, I would be in the most boring and monotonous relationship of my life.

“No,” I answer. “Had I not met them, I would have never discovered I was. I would have never gotten close to anyone else to know. It’s him. It’ll always be him and her.”