Page 26 of Raise 'Em Up

God, that's weird to say.

“Rylee.”

I look over my shoulder to see him standing there. His hands are stuffed into his expensive slacks, with this boyish smile on his face.

“Hi.”

“Leaving?” he asks, nodding at the bags.

“Yup.” I bob my head. This is so awkward.

“I was hoping we would get a chance to talk before you headed back to school.”

“Yeah? I thought I mentioned that I needed some time.” Okay, that was a little bitchy but I’ve already had to deal with so much these past few weeks. Can’t I get a break?

“I know you did. But you can’t avoid me forever, you know. I’m not going anywhere. I need you to understand that if I knew anything about your existence, things would have been very different.”

“Well, the fact is, you didn’t. And I’m almost twenty. I’m not a child. I’m grown, and I have a life of my own. I don’t mean to sound like a bitch, but I don’t know you. And I gave up on the idea of ever having a dad a long time ago. So, it’s going to take me some time to get used to having one now. I’m not saying no to being in your life, I’m saying I need time.”

“Alright.” He nods. “I understand. But I just wanted you to know, I’m sticking around. If you need anything, and I mean anything, just let me know.”

“Thanks.” I give him a small smile, feeling guilty. He’s not the one at fault. He didn’t know about me. It’s a big change for him, too. And I guess I could have gotten someone who was pissed off about the idea of having a child they knew nothing about.

But it’s literally the worst time to have something as big and life changing as this be added into the already growing pile of bullshit that is my life.

“Hey, baby.” Trevor’s grin has me literally swooning.

The smile that breaks out over my lips is so damn wide, it hurts.

“Hi!”

I practically throw myself into his arms.

He chuckles, catching me. I lock my legs around his waist and squeeze him tight before leaning back to crash my lips down onto his.

The groan that leaves his chest has my belly growing warm. “I fucking missed you,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice husky.

“I missed you too.” I kiss him again, not caring that all these people are walking around us, probably watching this little show. Or the fact that I feel Trevor getting hard under me as I grind against him.

He swats my ass.

“Play fair,” he growls playfully.

“Never.” I grin against his lips.

He puts me down and grabs my bags. “How was your flight?”

“Not bad.” I follow him out of the airport. “Finished a book.”

“I bet that was the only time you’ve had to read this whole vacation, wasn’t it?” He shoots me a grin.

“Well, being kicked out of school and then finding out about my long lost father takes up a lot of free time.” I try to joke but his face falls.

“Rylee.” He stops, giving me a pitying look.

“Nope.” I shake my head. “Do not look at me like that. I don’t want pity.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

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