Page 77 of Guarded from Corruption

But I turned out okay, even if my parents weren’t interested in things like that. Like I told Niall, it taught me to be independent and make my own way. And if I hadn’t learned to rely on myself, I might not have had the strength and determination to get out of that facility. I might not have been brave enough to offer myself up as bait and help put an end to the whole thing.

If I follow along that path, it winds around all the decisions I’ve made. Like going to Brown instead of staying in Texas like my father wanted, and meeting Shea. And if I hadn’t met Shea, I wouldn’t have met Niall. I wouldn’t have found the love of my life.

So everything worked out for the best, really.

It doesn’t mean I feel all warm and fuzzy toward them, though. With my parents, warm and fuzzy is an impossibility. Visits are spent listening to my father harp on my life choices and how bad they are. Once he winds down, I get to hear from my mother about the next foundation fundraiser or the latest event at the club—whether the food was done right, if the seating arrangements were disastrous, or if the table settings were tasteful or tacky.

So that’s fun.

I know my parents love me, but they definitely don’t understand me. Or respect me. And every time I head home after one of these visits, my heart is heavy with the reminder that they just don’t like me very much.

I’m a huge disappointment, and as much as I say it doesn’t matter, it still stings.

But I still make an effort to have a relationship with them. They’re my parents. When I think about Niall and Shea, who would give anything to have their mom and dad back, I feel guilty for dreading these visits so much.

This time, at least I have Niall with me. No matter how bad it goes, I know he has my back—or my six, as he and his teammates say. The barbs my father throws at me won’t hurt as much with Niall there to support me. To remind me with a little squeeze of my hand or a kiss on my cheek that he loves me.

“Maybe they’ll be easier on you.” Niall glances away from the road for a second to look at me. “Knowing what you’ve been through, I can’t imagine your dad would want to talk about your work. He probably just wants to see for himself that you’re okay.”

“My father always wants to talk about work. And how I should quit and find a man who’ll support me.” My chest tightens and my pulse thuds hard. “He’s probably going to say something insulting to you. About your job, or your service, or that you don’t have a college degree.”

Now that we’re almost there, it’s hard to take a full breath. If my father says something terrible to Niall, there’s no way I can let it go. I’ll have to say something, and it’ll turn into an argument, and my mother will get all flustered and hide in her bedroom like she always does, and?—

“Jade. Sweetheart. Stop panicking.” Niall’s hand settles on my leg and squeezes gently. “It’s going to be fine.”

I turn to him. He looks so handsome; his strong features freshly shaven, hair glinting bronze and amber as the sun hits it, his eyes a gorgeous sapphire blue. He seems so confident, but he doesn’t know my father. And I can’t bear the thought of Niall being hurt. Insulted. Especially considering what an incredible man he is.

“What if it’s not?” I ask. “If he says something bad to you, I can’t let that slide. I’m used to it, but?—”

“Hey.” He makes a perfect left turn one-handed, still holding onto my leg with the other. “If he says something to me, it’s fine. I’m not insecure about what I’ve done or how much money I have. And—” He flashes me a cocky smile. “I think I’m kind of a catch. At least, my girlfriend seems to think so.”

“I do.” My anxiety cranks down a notch, and my lips lift a little. “You’re definitely a catch.”

“Right.” His smile slides into something more serious. “And your opinion is what matters to me. Not that I don’t care about your parents—I do. But we’re adults and I don’t need your father’s approval. All I need is yours.”

I cover his hand with mine. “You have it.”

“Okay, then.” He signals to turn and I realize we’re already at my parents’ house. But before my stomach can start to twist into knots again, Niall adds, “So we’ll do this visit. Talk to your parents. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but if it isn’t, that’s alright. As soon as we get home, I’ll take you in the bedroom and make sure you’re completely relaxed. And Dante is cooking lasagna tonight, so we can have dinner with him after, if you like.”

As we head down the familiar winding driveway, I give Niall a grateful smile. “Okay. I like that idea. And you’re right. It’ll be fine.”

It’ll be fine.

I keep telling myself that as we park the car and head to the front door—an ostentatious thing with gold detailing and a giant gold B smack dab in the middle. It’ll be fine. I’ve made it through plenty of visits with my parents before.

It’s just… this is the first time I’m bringing a man with me. Not just any man, but the one I can see myself marrying. Spending my life with. And there’s still a childish part of me that wants my parents’ approval, even though I know how ridiculous that is.

“It’s going to be fine,” Niall repeats just before I ring the buzzer. He frames my face and leans down to brush his lips across mine. “And just know—I think you’re the most incredible woman in the world. You’re smart and strong and brave and beautiful. And never a disappointment.”

It fills me with a floaty sort of hope. Like I can get through anything with Niall beside me. Hope that this visit will be better. That my parents will be happy for me.

At first, it seems like my hopes might be granted.

My father opens the door and flashes us one of his patented country club smiles. But his tone seems genuine as he says, “Jade. I’m so pleased to see you. Your mother and I have been so worried.”

Then he shifts his attention to Niall and offers his hand. “Garrett Bell. Welcome to our home.” There’s a brief pause before he adds, “And Jade says you’re a veteran. Thank you for your service.”

It’s not an enthusiastic greeting by any means, but it could be worse.

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