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“Maybe it’s time we do.”
The last time I saw her, she didn’t look well. And she stole my car. “I’m selfish enough to be glad that you’re the man who stepped in and took care of me. But I’m also selfish enough to never want to be the guy that gives up his dream for some woman and her drama.”
“I didn’t give up anything for your mother or her drama. If this is about Ironwing, you know I don’t regret breaking up the band to be a better father.”
“Jake already had a kid when you were touring. He didn’t think he had to quit.”
“Jake had Miranda. She was his grade-school crush. She was a great mom and Leo had a stable home here. I knew your mom couldn’t be counted on to handle things when I was on the road. Hell, she loved being on the road more than all of us put together. I didn’t like it all that much. It was fun for a time, but I’m a family man at heart.”
My gaze catches that damn mirror she bought with the Ironwing logo on it. “You shouldn’t have had to choose one or the other.”
He rests his hand over mine. It’s still always a little jarring to see our hands together and mine be the same size. My eyes always expect the big dad hand I held to cross the street. “I didn’t give anything up for your mother. I did the best I could for her. But it was always about you, son. I thought you knew that. Finding out I was going to be a dad was the best thing that ever happened to me. I never considered it a sacrifice to come home to Brazen Bay and watch you grow.”
Oh, hell. I don’t want to have feelings right now. Shit. It feels like an orange is sitting in my throat. “I love you, old man.”
“Back-attcha. But I still think you’re chicken shit.”
I laugh, which is better than the stupid tears I’m fighting back. Why does talking to my dad sometimes make me feel like a little boy? “Thanks.”
“Your mom has a lot of problems. But she loves you, even if she doesn’t know how.” He pats my hand. “Most people have a better idea of how to love someone. Probably every woman you never took a chance on, even.”
I run my tongue around my teeth and stifle the denial that wants to burst out. Because he’s right. Damn it. I am a chicken shit. And it’s too late to fix things with Tru. When a woman changes her phone number to avoid you, it’s too late. I’m not going to stalk her.
I nod at my dad. “Next time you hear from Tru, please tell her I asked how she’s doing.”
“And how should I tell her you are if she asks?”
She won’t ask.
“Tell her I’m fine.”
Tru
THE DOORBELL RINGS, Fifi barks, and Pauline pauses fixing her makeup in the entryway mirror and looks like she’s going to throw up. “Oh, God. He’s here.”
I smile warmly. “You look fantastic.” She looks a little green, actually, but her outfit is on point and it will take Brandon a minute to look up from her chest anyway.
