Page 30 of Raise 'Em Up

“My father and I had a falling out a long time ago. He wanted me to take over the family business, but I wanted to travel the world and do my own thing. Be my own man. I swear, I really didn’t have any idea about you. If I did, I would have done a lot of things differently.”

Rylee shifts in her seat uncomfortably, her gaze lowering to the empty plate in front of her.

His eyes drift over to me. “And what did you mean when you said you're dating?”

“Exactly what I said. Rylee is my girlfriend,” I tell him. My brain is a fucking mess right now as I try to keep up. “We’ve been dating for a few months now.”

“No.” He shakes his head slowly. “No. That can’t happen.”

Rylee’s head snaps up. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t think you have any say in, well, anything regarding me or my life.”

“I am your father, Rylee.” James looks at her with wide eyes. “He is my step-son. You two can’t date.”

Oh, fuck. It’s just hitting me that I’m dating my step-sister.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and let that one sink in. All I wanted was a nice family supper. To have my girlfriend meet my parents. Who knew my girlfriend shared a parent with me.

Rylee shakes her head. “No, you are a stranger to me, someone who played a small part in my creation,” Rylee says. “And we’ve been dating for a while, before any of this came out. You can’t come into my life and tell me who I can and can’t date. Plus, it doesn’t matter who he is to you, we didn’t grow up together and we're not blood relations. We’re both adults in college, so we can do as we please.”

“But you told me you're dating other people?” James says, shaking his head. “Why him?” He points to me and frowns. “You don’t need to date him if you have others.”

That one is like an arrow through my heart. What the hell?

“Because I love him.” Rylee stands up and leans over the table, her face a mask of fury.

Hold up. Did she just say what I think she said? Did she just say she loves me? A smile slips onto my lips, my dead heart bursting as I gape at my stunning woman, while she has a stand-off with my step-dad.

Her dad? I don’t fucking know anymore.

“It doesn’t matter how many boyfriends I have. Each of them means the world to me. I’m not choosing. And I’m not going to break up with Trevor just because his step-dad happens to share DNA with me.”

Rylee grabs her purse and steps away from the table, then looks to my mom. “Thank you for having me over, but it’s probably best I go. This is a lot to take in right now, and I think we all need time to process everything.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” My mom, who’s been quiet this whole time, gives her a kind smile.

“I’ll walk you out.” I stand and start following her out of the dining room.

“Rylee!” James stands up, trying to grab her attention.

Rylee turns around. “I told you I needed time. And while I know none of us expected this to happen tonight, you judging me and thinking you have the right to tell me what to do with my life makes me not want anything to do with you. I think it would be best if you don’t say anything more right now, unless you want to ruin any chance you have of me being in your life.”

She turns around again and walks out. “Rylee.” I say her name as we reach the front door. I have so many questions, so many things I want to say, to ask, but as I open my mouth, I honestly can't find the words.

She looks up at me with tears in her eyes, and my heart sinks. “I… I have no words. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’m tired. It's one thing after another. It’s like the world hates me. Why can’t I catch a break?”

“Hey.” I step forward and pull her into my arms. “You don’t deserve any of this shit. And I’m so fucking sorry that it is happening to you. I wish I could protect you from it all. Rylee, if I had any idea of who James was to you, I wouldn’t have blindsided you like this.”

“I know.” She smiles up at me with watery eyes.

We stare at each other for a few long beats. This is a bad time, but I can’t help asking her. “Did you mean what you said back there?”

She laughs. “That I love you? Yeah.” She nods. “I just wish I’d told you in a different way—a different time and place.”

“Would it be too corny of me to tell you that I love you too?” I search her eyes. She shakes her head. “Good, because I’m crazy about you, Rylee. And what happened tonight, what we found out, it changes absolutely nothing for me. I love you. I hope this isn’t going to scare you off.”

“It’s not.” She shakes her head. “It’s just…” She chews on her lower lip.

“You need time to come to terms with all of this.” I nod my head in understanding. “I get it, baby, I do. And I’m not mad. Take all the time you need, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”

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