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“Thanks.” The timidness of her response speaks volumes.
I watch over her shoulder as she opens his contacts and deletes Brett’s name. Can’t say that I blame her. But I don’t understand why she scrolls down more, stopping in the C’s. She scrolls up and down, not seeming to find whatever she’s looking for.
“Madi, I’m sorry I wasn’t around much and for ever making you think I cared about Brett more than you. And that I didn’t ask why you punched him. And for not simply trusting you.”
“Do you now?”
Maybe a few good things came from my son being an asshole. This tender moment between father and daughter is teaching me lessons. How many times have I sat with Brett and listened to him? How many times have I bonded with him instead of making sure he’s versed in how to get ahead in life? Those lessons went seriously wrong.
“As you figured out…I was with Calli when you called. We can talk about that later. But when I hung up with you, I was going to open the message from Brett. It was Calli who made me realize that if you were that upset, I needed to respect your wishes. She’s the one who reminded me how important you are to me.” He swallows hard. “I had to be reminded. I’m so sorry.”
Calli. Not sure who that is, but that must explain who Madison was looking for on his phone. Don’t think I recall seeing that name.
“Okay.”
“And no offense, Jayce.” Roarke shifts his focus to me. Adrenaline flows as if I’m being intimidated by my girlfriend’s father rather than talking to my neighbor.
I stand taller and nod. “I’m going to get to the bottom of whatever is wrong with my son.”
“Good luck. He’s going to be pretty mad at me. I’m revoking my letter of recommendation. I’ll be letting my peers at the med school he’s applying to know that I don’t advocate accepting him.”
“Some of the best lessons are learned the hard way.” The statement is just as much for myself and the wake-up call I needed for parenting my grown son.
“Because he cheated on me?” Madison sounds more surprised than ever.
Roarke shakes his head. “That’s only part of it.”
She shrugs. “What else?”
“I don’t know what was in that text message. And you don’t have to tell me.” He waves a hand between us, highlighting his point. “You are the epitome of kindness, Madi. Anything he would send me that would hurt you reveals grievous character flaws. Being a doctor requires trust and compassion and discretion, which Brett seems to be lacking.”
Madison rushes forward, flinging her arms around her dad’s neck. When’s the last time I hugged my son. When’s the last time I complimented him on who he is rather than what he’s achieved? Fuck, I have a lot of work to do…as long as it’s not too late.
Nervous energy fills me but I can’t leave.
“Everything I did, pushing you to have a career, to be able to take care of yourself, to want to be more than a mom, was meant to protect you. My long hours at the hospital were part of that. I wanted to make enough money that I could give you everything you deserved.” Her dad’s setting a damn good example, but now that they’re made up, there are other issues.
“Being a single parent is pretty fucking hard, Roarke.” I pull my girl back from him and she folds naturally against me.
“By the time we see our mistakes, our kids are grown.” He gives Madi a weak smile.
“You don’t have to worry about this one anymore.” I hug her closer. “We’ve got her from here.”
Madison’s body goes rigid.
“We?” Roarke asks, about the same time I realize my slip.
Madison starts to explain but I pull her into me and take over. “There’s more to our relationship than just Madison and me. A friend of mine, Elijah Carrington, is a part of it. I’m sure that’s hard to swallow, but I promise that he loves your daughter—”
“You don’t have to explain. Well, you do, but probably not the part you think you need to.”
“What?” Madison asks.
“Calli and I are together.” Roarke brings the name up again.
“Yeah. It’s weird and icky that you’re dating my friend but I guess I’m not in a place to judge.”
“I didn’t realize who she was until I’d fallen for her.”
