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I wasn’t sure what he thought we all needed to discuss. I selfishly hoped he’d heard rumors about Andi’s problems with Colt and that this sudden urge to get on the same page wasn’t related to me and Beckett.
But it brought home more than ever that we couldn’t continue to keep this secret. Andi had promised to give us some time, but that was easier when she wasn’t looking at our father across the dinner table. That girl would fold in two minutes flat if he looked at her sideways.
No, the moment of truth was headed our way, ready or not.
I glanced back toward my friends, my eyes automatically seeking out Beckett. He was watching me, brow furrowed, as if he could tell something was wrong. I worked to relax the tension in my shoulders and flashed him a reassuring smile.
Maybe this was good. I wanted to claim Beckett like I had today, to be open and free with him in all aspects of my life.
Our relationship might not have happened in the most conventional way. It might not be convenient. Chances were we’d be judged for it. And there was no telling how Dad would react and what the consequences of our love might be.
I hoped we’d be accepted. But at the end of the day, I didn’t care. Because having Beck, having the love of my best friend in the world, knowing he’d be beside me, no matter what came our way?
That was the most incredible feeling in the world. One I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Not even my father’s approval.
CHAPTER25
BECKETT
“There’sthe men of the hour,” Dad boomed. “You gonna make me proud tonight?”
People milled around us, mingling and gossiping in the leadup to the town hall. Voices bounced around the meeting hall, echoing in a room that was mostly empty aside from folding chairs.
“You know it!” Wes said with a grin, though it was a bit tight with nerves. I understood the feeling, my stomach fluttering with anticipation.
There was a lot riding on tonight. Dad had given us an ultimatum to take point on this park project and see it through, and tonight would be the culmination of all that work. But more than that, in just twenty-four hours, we’d be meeting up for family dinner and sharing our biggest secret with him: the one that might make or break this family.
No pressure or anything.
“We’re good,” I said. “Tucker’s the one in the real hot seat.”
Though we’d crafted proposals for him to present and would be on the hook to answer some questions, Tucker would be the one addressing the crowd in his role as city manager. Well, him and Hunter, who worked as the city’s PR manager.
Dad chuckled. “You couldn’t pay me enough to take that man’s job.”
He looked relaxed and happy after his time away. Maybe telling him wouldn’t be so hard after all?
He clapped a hand on Wes’s shoulder. “So, what did I miss while I was gone? No more pranks, I hope.”
“No.” Wes chuckled awkwardly.
“Lesson learned,” I added, keeping my voice light, even though the reminder of how he’d reacted to said prank and how far it really had progressed was sending my heart racing.
What the hell had I been thinking? Telling him was going to be so fucking hard.
“Beckett and I need to sit up front since we’ll be helping Tucker during the Q-and-A portion of the night. Did you want to join us?”
Dad snorted. “Hell no. You go ahead. I’m going to go catch up with a couple of buddies and watch from the back. This is your show. Just pretend I’m not here.”
As we started across the room, I could practically feel Wes vibrating with nerves. It caught me a little off-guard because usually nothing got to him.
“Are you nervous about telling him the truth?”
“No.” Wes shook his head. “I mean, I am, but it’s also just Dad watching, you know? I want to show him that I really can handle all this.”
“The park project has gone great,” I said.
