AllFreeNovel
Share Us
SJ
Then
“Hand me that wrench, son,”Dad calls as he reaches his hand out from under the truck he has up on the lift.
I hand it to him and say nervously, “Dad, I have to talk to you about something.”
He rolls out from under the truck and sits up. He reaches for a rag and stares at me as he wipes his hands. “What’s up?”
“I don’t want you to be mad at me.” My stomach turns nervously.
He doesn’t say anything as he waits, concern in his brown eyes that match mine.
“I went to see Mom.”
He closes his eyes and doesn’t say anything.
“Are you mad?”
“No, I’m not mad. She’s your mom. You can see her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me why she left us?” I ask, waiting for him to get upset, but he doesn’t seem as bothered as I thought he’d be.
He takes a deep breath. “You know, we were both young when everything happened. I’m sure we both have regrets.” He rubs his forearms. “What did she tell you?” he asks patiently.
“That Kit is Hamilton’s. It’s freaking weird, Dad. Kit looks just like Callie. How have you known all this time and never said anything? Weren’t you mad at them? You’re so nice to Callie, and she’s the daughter of the man who ruined our family.”
He holds up his hand. “Callie’s not at fault. Honestly, back then, your mom and I were long done when she took up with Hamilton. I always knew Kit wasn’t mine. I still tried to make it work for you. But the guilt was too much for her, and we fought a lot, and she ended up leaving, anyway. I think she felt like she didn’t deserve to be here. I think Hamilton wanted her gone, too. She was a liability for him around town.”
“How have you not lost it on him?” I shake my head, confused.
“Because Hamilton doesn’t deserve to matter to me. I have you, the club, and my shop. I’m happy. And your mom wasn’t happy with me, so she looked elsewhere. What she did sucks, but I can’t control any of it. I got to be your dad. And that’s what matters to me.” He shrugs. “I won.”
“Jesus, Dad. You’re like a freaking saint.”
“I’m no saint. But I did what I did to protect Callie, too. She’s become family to us. I knew that if I messed with Hamilton, we’d lose her. I chose to love her more instead of hating him. That is love, son.”
He continues, “I knew I’d eventually tell you everything. But you were little when it all happened. And then it just got harder to tell you as time went on. But I knew we’d have this conversation. Does Callie know?”
“Yeah, she was with me. She’s pretty freaked out. I think she’s worried about what you think about her.”
“She doesn’t have to worry about nothing.” He shakes his head.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“You don’t have to apologize for anything. This had nothing to do with you. Leaving you is something your mom will have to live with. I know she loves you. She messed up and probably didn’t know how to fix it,” he says. “You think you’ll stay in touch with her?”
“Probably not. She didn’t really seem like she wanted to see me.” I sigh. “We just had ten minutes.”
A dark look passes across my dad’s face. “I never kept you from her. She’s known where we’ve been all along.”
I hang my head, then look back at my dad. “I have everything I need with you. I don’t need her,” I say as he pulls me in for a hug.
The door opens to the shop, and Callie bursts in. “Hi, guys,” she calls cheerfully as she comes over and drops her bag on the floor. She looks over at Sam and then looks away nervously.
I reach out to pull her in and kiss her. “Hey.”
“I came to hang out. My parents are gone.” She sneaks a glance at my dad. “If that’s okay.”
