“It might be worth revisiting that conversation. You might want to talk to the other guys too. I can’t imagine they’d want you to break up with this woman if you’re in love with her.” Aiden’s voice rose.
“It’s not just her. Daphne has a little girl, and I don’t want to hurt either one of them.” The feel of Izzy’s arms around my neck came to mind, and I blinked back the tears.
“Didn’t you do that by walking away?” Aiden asked gently.
“I asked for space. I didn’t break things off.” Although that’s certainly what it felt like.
“One thing I’ve learned in life is that it’s what we make it. We’re not our family or the product of the circumstances we grew up in. It didn’t break us. It made us stronger.”
Had it made me stronger? Or had it made me hide what I actually wanted in pursuit of the life I thought I wanted.
Aiden lowered his bottle to the counter. “You got a plan?”
I shook my head, examining a crack in the counter. “I was thinking about talking to my parents.”
“If your parents are anything like mine, I wouldn’t. They were worthless, always criticizing us when they were the ones just looking for a handout. They’re the reason why I went into the military. I wanted to make something of my life.”
Silence fell between us for a few seconds while I considered my options. I wanted to buy a house, talk to my parents, and then what? Talk to my cousins? Was I strong enough to hear that they didn’t want me around? That they never had.
“You can wallow in self-pity, or you can change your perception.” He was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “Did you know that I dated a Calloway?”
My head swung in his direction. “What are you talking about?”
“Fiona. Daphne’s older sister. We dated for a while.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“You wouldn’t. It was a secret because Fiona didn’t want her dad or her brothers to find out. She said they was overprotective, and they wouldn’t let her see me. But then her mom died, and she was messed up. Felt like she had to be the mother for her younger siblings. It was overwhelming. I had my own shit going on with my parents, who thought I should get a job and support them. I thought the best way out was to enlist. Unfortunately, I’d already made that girl promises. Promises I didn’t keep.”
“I had no idea. Daphne’s never mentioned it either.”
“No one knew about us. I know a little something about keeping relationships a secret.”
I nodded. “Heath and Marley.”
“It wasn’t exactly the same situation, but I got it.”
“Are you still in love with Fiona?” I asked him.
“I’ve never forgotten about her. But I don’t think there’s a chance to come back from what happened.” Aiden sighed, then looked at me. “Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Don’t let the best thing that ever happened to you out of your life.”
I had thought about Daphne and Izzy as my future. Was it possible we could have one together?
I thanked Aiden for listening. Then I called Charlotte. When she answered, I asked, “You interested in talking to our parents together?”
“You want to talk to them?”
“I think it’s time, and I think you should be there.” It wasn’t just me that was hurt by Dad’s actions. “I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
I didn’t start to question my decision until we were pulling into my old neighborhood. My parents lived on the end of the street where hopefully no one noticed the aging roof and unkept yard. “Not much has changed.”
“It sure hasn’t.”
It was late so they should be home.
I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Mom opened it. “What are you two doing here?”
“Thought we’d stop by and see you,” I said, walking inside.