Page 43 of Abel

Those words are all that's needed. We're back to zero, and it's one more thing I have Abel to thank for.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Abel

"Did you really need my help to carry hot chocolate?" I ask, stuffing my hands in my pockets as we make our way through the crowd of people.

"Yeah, I mean I could've done it myself, but I feel like her mom needs some time with her. She had no idea how popular Kara was, and her eyes have been opened today."

"Are you serious? How could she not know how popular Kara and her truck are?"

He shrugs. "She's not big on social media, and believe it or not, sometimes it's hard to see your kids as more than your kid. I tried to never assume you weren't anything other than what you were, but when you showed up knowing what to do with architectural plans and shit, it was a wakeup call. You weren't a little kid who needed me to check all your measurements anymore. You were confident in your abilities, and that was hard."

"You never acted like it."

"It was fuckin' hard, but I had Hank there to remind me what it was like when I was working under his dad. Your mom reminds me often enough too. That you're an adult who doesn't need me watching out for you anymore."

We've gotten to Get Baked, and we're in line. "I wouldn't say that I don't need you watching out for me. Sometimes it's nice to have you to fall back on if I ever have questions. Not that you're going to save me, but just to know I have your backup, ya know? There are some days I know I'm right, but I need someone to tell me."

He reaches over, gripping my shoulder. "I will always be here to tell you you're right, or you're wrong, but you know you don't need my approval for shit, right?"

"I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want it. I'm still a kid who wants to hear his parent say he's proud. I mean, not that I need you to kiss my ass, but it's nice." I shrug, hoping I don't sound like a little bitch.

Dad rolls his lips together. "If you ever need me to say something I'm not, please tell me. I don't want you to be like Kara, and really wish someone would tell you things, and say that they're proud, and be harboring this resentment. That's what's going on between them. The mom is completely oblivious to what's going on around her, and I'm assuming Kara isn't asking for what she needs. There's a severe lack of communication between them. Don't let that be us."

"I won't." I reach over and hug him tightly. That's one thing with us, he's never been scared to show me affection, and I've never been embarrassed to show it either. He taught me that a real man doesn't keep their feelings hidden when it comes to what's important. Yes, I have my anxiety about things, and I've wondered about things with my parents, but I've always known when it comes to me and my feelings, there isn't anything I have to be concerned about. "We're good, Dad. I promise."

It's our turn, and we step up. Dad orders enough hot chocolates for the group. "Y'all want some cookies? I'm not charging, because I know how hard y'all worked for Kara earlier. I watched it on the live feed, you were kicking ass, Abel. You ever need another job, I could use you here in the bakery."

"First of all, hell yes I will take a cookie. Second of all, the only person I'll work for like that is going to be Kara. However, you could convince me to stand out there and offer free samples if you let me have my own samples." I rub my hands in front of me.

"You can't be eating all my profits, Abel. I've seen the way you can put some sweets down. But here ya go." She hands us a little bag, along with a drink carrier. "See y'all later."

I hold a drink carrier along with the bag of cookies as we make our way back over to where everybody is sitting. Kara's next to her mom, and they're smiling at one another. Her shoulders are relaxed, and she seems open to whatever relationship she might be able to have with her mom.

"Hey, brought everyone some." I start handing out the hot chocolate, and cookies.

"These are so good," Kara moans. "I'm gonna have to see if I can get some for the truck."

I put my arm around her, and lean our bodies together to share in the warmth. She turns so that her body is angled toward mine. So far neither one of us has done much PDA, but her hand goes to my thigh, squeezing to get my attention. "Thank you, Abel."

"For what?" I turn so that my nose runs along her temple. Instinctively I place a kiss on the trail.

"Convincing me that it would be okay for my family to come. I had so much anxiety around it just because of past events, and I dreaded it. You told me it would all be okay, and look at this. It's better than I thought it would be, and they're halfway in love with you."

"Excuse you lady, they are all the way in love with me."

She rolls her eyes, laughing as she leans into me. "You've made this day so great, and I don't know how I can ever thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. This is what people who love each other do."

"What would you say if I told you I've never been to a Christmas parade before I moved here?"

My mouth falls open. "Never been to a Christmas parade? What the fuck? This is something Dad and I did every year. This has always been our thing. I'd make sure I came home every year from college on this weekend, so we could attend. It's awesome for me to be here with you. Maybe it can be our tradition too."

Her arm goes through mine and she pulls me closer. "I'd love to make some traditions with you, Abel."

I'm still looking at her when the first part of the parade starts going through, throwing peppermints at all of us. Last year, she and I spoke for one of the first times at the Christmas parade. I'd been going to the food truck for a few months at that point, and I'd spoken to her as a customer, but we'd never had any kind of conversation that didn't revolve around me ordering food from her. Last year, they weren't so popular and she'd made it a point to talk to everyone who came to order at the Christmas parade.

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