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Anyone who knew Travis Barrett, Captain Barrett, knew to not interrupt him until he gave you the all-clear to speak.
He guzzled his beer. “How long has this been going on, Gillian?”
“I’ve been in love with him since I was sixteen.”
“Jesus Christ. Did he touch you—”
“No, Dad. He never touched me. This just happened since I got home.” Gillian swallowed. “I’m a grownup, Dad. I’ll be twenty soon. I’m old enough to choose who I love.”
He dragged his hand over his scruffy jawline. “I know. But this is a betrayal, Gillian.”
“How so?” She leaned forward, still holding on to my hand with a death grip. “We’re here telling you together, Dad. We didn’t want to be together in secret.”
He snorted, and a maniacal laugh filled the room. “Together?” He pointed from me to her and back. “You’re together. Why in God’s name would Grayson want to be with my nineteen-year-old daughter?Sly Foxonly fucks women left and right.Sly Foxdoesn’t do love, isn’t that right,Sly Fox? Isn’t that what you told me years ago?”
I could punch him in the face. “I haven’t been with anyone in over two years, asshole. Why would I want to be with your daughter? Because she’s kind and loving. She’s beautiful, not only on the outside but on the inside. Because she understands me. She’s my home.”
Gillian’s gaze swooped up to mine, a look of shock on her face. Travis had the same expression.
“You’re my home too.” She placed her hand against my cheek and kissed me. I thought for sure Travis would lose his shit, but he only stared at us in what appeared to be disbelief.
“I can’t do this. I can’t watch you with my daughter.” Travis launched out of his chair, the bottle of tequila in hand. “This is too much.”
“Dad, please.” Gillian choked up.
“Please what?” Travis barked. “In a couple of weeks, you’re returning to school. Then none of this will be an issue.”
Gillian squared her shoulders and inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t know about college. I never wanted to go.”
“What?” He dropped his hands to his side as if defeated. I was glad Billy wasn’t around to observe this uncomfortable situation. And that Laura and Pam weren’t here too. An audience of bitter women was the last thing any of us needed.
“I never wanted to move to Seattle. I only left to try to get over Grayson. I never thought he felt more for me. I ran away to Seattle because my heart couldn’t take seeing him with other women.” Tears streamed down her face. She gutted me with her words.
Travis was speechless. I could imagine how hard this was for him to hear. For Gillian’s sake, I hoped he did the right thing.
He pointed at me. “I want you out of my house.” So much for hoping we could come to an understanding for Gillian.
I stood and so did she.
“Don’t do this, Dad. Nothing has to change.”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Gillian? Everything changes now.” He pointed to me again. “I know his ways. I can’t approve of him being with my daughter after all I’ve heard of his sex stories.”
Oh Jesus. All that was years ago, but I saw his point.
“The past is the past. I’m his future.” She held her ground. I was in awe of her.
“He probably has an STD. Or kids all over the state!” Travis was losing it now.
“You know what? Fine. Be ridiculous and immature, Dad. Have your fit. Destroy your friendship with your best friend. I—”
“He’s the one who destroyed it by fucking my daughter! My baby girl!”
And I was done.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
“No! She is not going anywhere with you.” Travis grabbed her by the arm and jerked her out of my hand.
