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“Let’s go…”
“Dad, I’m…”
“We’ll talk in the car,” his father snapped – and Toby knew immediately to get quiet.
As they walked out of the building towards the truck waiting, he hesitated. This was even worse. His dad was driving Hunter Petersen’s truck – which meant his mother had the SUV, and now Hunter knew he was in trouble.
If Hunter knew? Then Glory, his wife and Samantha’s aunt, knew… which meant Jackson Sloan had to know by now that Toby had kissed his daughter in the hallway at school.
He was dead meat.
Sliding into the seat, pulling the buckle on tight, he waited for the tirade that was sure to come… and waited.
“Tobias…” his dad started – and he looked up at him, fearfully, only to see his dad’s proud expression. “You are a chip off the ol’ block, aren’t you?”
“You’re not mad?” he gaped in shock.
“Oh, I’m furious… but only because I didn’t teach you better – or I thought I had at least and failed,” his dad said glibly. “Look, your mother and I both think Samantha is a terrific girl – and we support you falling in love, finding your happiness, and the changes you are going through in becoming a man… but seriously, don’t rush it!”
Toby swallowed, shocked.
“I want you to see the world,” his dad said wistfully, his expression distant. “I want you to see the sunset over the mountains in some foreign country, feel the ocean on your feet, taste exotic foods, and kiss plenty of girls before you settle for one…”
His father smiled at him and patted his leg.
“The Academy will give you so much life experience, so many opportunities, and you can have it all – but none of that comes by rushing into something before you are ready. Only disaster comes if you push Samantha so hard that it causes her to run away… you need to give yourself time to enjoy life – and give her time to understand the same.”
“Her dad’s gonna be mad, isn’t he?”
“I already spoke with him,” his father said grimly. “I want you sitting by me tonight at the bonfire – if we still end up going. Today was full of surprises, Toby. You kissed the girl you adore, the Academy called, and you fly out Saturday…”
“What? Graduation is Friday night…”
“I know – which is why I’m here and your mother isn’t. She’s trying to get some things together for you, before you head out.”
“Is mom okay?”
“Nope,” his father smiled, reaching over and ruffling his hair. “She’s crying out her pretty eyes that her baby boy is leaving the nest – but I don’t think she understands what a huge ‘Rite of Passage’ it is for us men. I’m excited for you because I know you’ll love it…” he uttered, before clearing his throat. “Besides, men don’t cry – do we?”
His dad looked at him where he was sitting, his blue eyes shiny with tears as Toby smiled up at him knowingly. His dad might be a lot of things – but the man was pudding on the inside when it came to his family.
“I’m so darn proud of you, son…”
“Thanks, Dad – I love you.”
“Love you too, kiddo,” his dad replied. “But do me a favor and seriously – don’t talk to Samantha tonight, okay? I don’t want to punch my best friend’s lights out in front of your mother…”
Toby laughed, smiling shyly at his father.
3
Eleven years later…
Yonder, Texas
Samantha sighed and pulled off her rubber gloves before depositing them in the trashcan of her office and smiling.
“Aunt Glory – beautiful as ever. You are good to go for another six months. Is Uncle Hunter coming in today too? I didn’t see him on the books,” Samantha asked, smiling at her aunt as she sat up in the chair.
