Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Yes, because I love you. I put time and money into all you kids.”
“I know, and they’re doing big things. I’m not.”
“But you are,” he corrects. “And I’m proud of you.”
I didn’t expect that, and I really need to stop doubting my choices. I am going to help people. That’s huge. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Always, son.”
He pats my head, and I ask, “Do you think Owen will be mad?”
He shrugs. “Probably at first, but he’ll get over it once he realizes how well you’re doing now.”
I try to swallow past the lump in my throat. “I don’t want to upset him.”
“If you do, oh well. You gotta do what’s best for you, Evan.”
His words play heavy on my heart as I watch him turn his attention back to the TV. He’s absolutely right and I know that, but still, I’m worried about telling Owen. Unable to deal with that, I decide I need to ask for something I should have asked for a long time ago.
“Do you think we can move our medals and stuff to your room? Like, make it one big Hall of Fame of Adlers?”
“Yeah, I’ll get that done,” he says easily, and again, I’m blown away by his support. Was it really this easy the whole time, but I didn’t express how I was feeling?
He looks thoughtful. “It’s funny how you move out and all of a sudden start doing better. Probably has a lot to do with the constant reminder of your retirement. Sorry I didn’t take everything out of there sooner.”
I wave him off. “It’s fine. But thank you.”
“No problem,” he says, clearing his throat. “Are you going to go to a game while you’re over there?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Callie asked me if I wanted to, but I don’t know yet.”
“I think you should. Might be nice, and there is no pressure since you’re going to cheer on your team.”
I know, but that also means being around Nico, and I don’t know how I feel about that. Callie has mentioned going to dinner and hanging out with them a few times, but I haven’t committed. I don’t want to be put in a position where my anger gets the best of me because Nico can’t control his own emotions. “It’s not that. I told you Nico doesn’t like me.”
Dad rolls his eyes. “I don’t know how to take that. Not liking Owen, sure, he’s a loudmouth, but how does someone not like you?”
“I’m dating his soon-to-be daughter.”
“So? Listen, I’m an overprotective dad. My girls were not supposed to be near a man, but here I am, a grandpa. It sucks knowing your daughters are being violated, but it’s a part of life.”
I snort. “Are they being violated if they want it?”
He glares. “Shut your mouth, boy.”
I laugh hard. “My bad.”
“I hope you have nothing but girls one day.” I can’t help but laugh harder, and he shakes his head. Once my laughter subsides, he adds, “Anyway, with the whole Nico shit, just tell him you aren’t going anywhere.”
I scoff. “That sounds way more confident than I am.”
Dad grins. “Do you plan on going anywhere? Because how I see it, you’re pretty damn smitten with her.”
I shrug. “I am. She’s great.”
“She is, and I know Nico knows that. So he’d be naïve to assume she wouldn’t find someone who adores her awesomeness.”
“He wasn’t nice to me,” I admit, and Dad looks over at me. “He took a jab at my mental health.”
Dad takes a deep breath. “That’s really messed up. I assume you haven’t told Owen.”
“No, he’d lose it. Hell, I haven’t even told Callie. I don’t want to come between them. She’s fiercely protective of the people she cares for.”
“So are you,” he says slowly, holding my gaze. “And I know you’ve struggled with liking yourself, but you have to protect you, Evan.”
I swallow thickly. “I know, and I got mad. I wanted to knock his teeth in, but I didn’t want to hurt Callie.”
“I get that,” he agrees, lacing his fingers together. “But don’t let it happen again.”
“Which is why I don’t want to be around him. I just don’t know how to tell Callie that.”
He hisses a breath through his teeth. “Yeah, that’s a pickle, son.”
“I know.”
“Maybe give him a chance to apologize, and if he doesn’t, then tell Callie you’d rather not be around him.”
Maybe I’ll do that. I know Callie wants to have dinner when we get there, so perhaps if that goes well, I can attend her adoption. I know she wants me there, and of course, I want to be there. “Yeah, let me see how that goes.”
“It’ll work out,” he promises, tapping my hand. “Don’t worry. Just enjoy the road trip with Callie and have fun.”
“Thanks. I think we will.”
He side-eyes me. “So, Mom told me you said it was serious.”