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“It wasn’t like that with you and Mom,” I said, slightly deflated. “You two were perfect.”
He huffed out a burst of loud laughter. “What?”
“You were. You two were soulmates.”
“Yeah, sweetheart, we were. But we were far, far from perfect.”
“From the outside looking in, you were. You two never even fought.”
“In front of you,” he corrected. “We were really good at taking our screaming matches into our cars while you were in the house.”
My mouth dropped, leaving me completely stunned. “No way.”
“Total way. And plus, the first night we met, we randomly hooked up, and ta-da! She was pregnant.”
“What?!” I gasped. “With who?”
“With you, bonehead.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “I was a one-night stand baby?”
“You were completely a one-night stand baby. Your grandparents were pissed about that one. Yes, we were married young, but we felt pressured into doing that by society and our parents. I thought proposing to the girl I knocked up was what I was supposed to do. The first few months of marriage, your mother and I hated one another. We bickered like no other and fought day in and day out. Then after you were born, it got harder and harder until it got a little bit easier. We weren’t officially happy, probably until you were two years old.”
I sat there completely dumbfounded about the story I was being told. “How have I never heard about any of this?”
“It’s not every day you tell your kid that she was a one-night stand accident. Besides, you forget the rocky beginning when you have the most beautiful middle and ending to your story.”
“But how was it a beautiful ending? She died, Dad.”
“Yes, she did, Star, and that was hard. But she died with our love, and we were left with hers. You can’t convince me that that’s not a beautiful thing—to love one another until the very end. And if I had the opportunity to relive our story, knowing how it would end, I would do it in a heartbeat. Because I will always choose to relive love when presented with the chance.”
Those words made my eyes tear up.
Dad smiled. “Star, we come into this life with only one promise—that someday we will leave it. Death is the final act of everyone’s story. We all know this. The problem is so many people live life as if they are already dead, going through the motions of what they think they are supposed to do instead of living their most authentic lives. I don’t want you to be perfect. I want you to be real, and I want you to live. Fall in love and live. Screw up and live. Find yourself, Star, and live.”
I glanced down at my fingernails and began picking at them. “I do love him, Dad.”
“I’m glad you let that love in.”
“But he doesn’t want me. He pushed me away.”
“Why?”
“Because he thought he was ruining my life.”
“And why would he think that pushing you away would be the best option?”
“Because he…” I sighed as the realization settled in. “Because he loves me.”
“Exactly. I get that it’s raw and new right now. You are allowed to be hurt and pissed off at him for that choice. But also be thankful you found a guy who cares so much about your well-being that he was willing to walk away.”
“I just wish he had stayed.”
“Yeah, but you know what? Sometimes it’s not the ending of a couple’s story. Maybe you’re just on a time-out. Just give it time. Allow both of you the space to figure yourselves out, then see if your puzzle pieces still fit together.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, feeling a little better about the wildness that was my current life.
“Always, kiddo. Now come on. We’re going to go get you some ice cream.”
I chuckled. “Dad. Buying me ice cream won’t fix my problems.”
“You’re right. Maybe it won’t, but at least you can be sad with Oreo cheesecake custard. It’s a bit easier to be sad when you have Oreo cheesecake custard.”
Fair point.
“Don’t worry, baby girl.” Dad smiled at me as he stood and held a hand out to help me stand. “Everything’s gonna work out fine.”
Everything’s gonna work out fine.
“What was this guy’s name again?” he asked me.
“Milo.”
“Last name?”
“Corti.”
“Milo Corti. That’s a badass name.”
“Why are you asking for his name?”
“Because I’m going to find him and cuss him out for making my daughter cry,” he replied matter-of-factly.
I laughed but then saw the serious look on his face. “Dad. Don’t you dare stalk my ex-boyfriend.”
“Not stalk. Just…follow.”
“Dad!”
He grumbled. “Fine, fine. I won’t do that.”
“Swear?”
He held his hand up. “Scout’s honor, Star. Scout’s honor.”
CHAPTER 36
Milo
“So you’re the guy who broke my daughter’s heart?”
It was early morning, before sunrise. I stood in my driveway when I saw a tall, buff man covered in tattoos staring my way. He wore black sunglasses, and the moment he took them off, I knew he was Starlet’s father. They had the same eyes.
