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“Maybe we should ask Scottie what he wants to do. There’s plenty of food. We could invite your dad to join us.”
“I’m not sure—”
“Can we Mason brother?” Scottie stared up at me.
“Scottie, bud, what if—”
“It’s okay,” Harper whispered, slipping her hand into mine.
It was too late anyway because Dad reached our table and there was no way in hell Scottie was going to let him go now.
“Hey, buddy. Mason, and… sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Sam. Samuel Steele.”
“Hi Mr. Steele. I’m Harper, Mason’s—”
“Girlfriend.” Scottie, the little shit, cut in.
“Girlfriend, you say. Got to admit, I didn’t see that one coming, Son.”
I bristled at the surprise in his voice, as if I owed him anything.
As if he cared.
“How did you know we were here?” I changed the subject.
“Why don’t you sit down Mr. Steele,” Harper said. “We have room and there’s enough food to go around.”
His face lit up, but I wasn’t surprised. Harper had that effect on people. Sunshine on a cloudy fucking day.
“I wouldn’t say no to a taco.” Dad slid into the booth next to her. “Your mom told me I might find you here.”
“You went to see Mom?” Scottie asked. “Did you tell her about your new girlfriend?”
Dad sucked in a sharp breath, almost choking on it and I smothered a laugh. At least Scottie could inadvertently call him on his bullshit, even if I wouldn’t.
Not here.
Not like this.
Clearing his throat, he helped himself to a glass of water and said, “Actually, I was looking for you. I wanted to explain some things…” He looked to me, and I saw the guilt there. But it didn’t change anything, not for me.
“Maybe I should give the three of you some privacy,” Harper suggested.
“I want you to stay.” Scottie beat me to it. Because I wanted her to stay as well.
“It’s fine, Harper. Stay, please. I can see my boys obviously trust you.”
A hell of a lot more than you, I swallowed the words.
“I-I don’t have a new girlfriend, Son. Claire is… a friend.”
“Do you have sex with her? Because Fenton Jones said—”
“Scottie.” I shook my head.
“Sorry.” He shrunk into himself.
Dad winced, glancing around the restaurant to check who might be listening. Even now, even after everything, he couldn’t be the man Scottie needed him to be. And I fucking hated it.
