Page 32 of Priority

I don’t mean to be.

It’s never been my intention.

Honestly?

I’m not even sure exactly when it happened.

My back hits the wall across from Wy’s bedroom on a heavy sigh.

I have accomplished world-renowned mergers.

I have the literal key to the city of Highland.

I have dined on multiple occasions withliteralroyalty.

How is it I’m failing so fucking miserably at this?

What if being his father is something Ineversucceed at?

What if…he grows up having me yet wishing he didn’t?

Or grows up having me butpretendshe didn’t?

What if the second he’s eighteen he cuts me out of his life completely?

Onlytalks to his mother?

His grandparents?

His siblings?

Uncles?

Everyoneexceptme?

Which is quite frankly exactly how it feels now.

How do I stop that from happening?

How do I prevent becoming the villain in his life that I have no doubt he’s already labeled me to be?

Another body shaking sigh slips free during my crossing of the short distance to knock on his door.

It’s odd how familiar this shit is.

“Go to the twins, dudes,” Wy calls back from the other side of the blockade, clearly mistaking me for the dogs. “I’m good.”

“It’s your dad,” I awkwardly announce on a tug to my shirt collar. “Can I um…Can I come in?”

An uncomfortably long lull occurs prior to him grumbling, “It’s your house.” Another painful pause. “Do whatyouwant.”

My lips briefly press together as I crack it open just enough for my face to be seen. “It’syourroom, Wy.” I swallow the lump of animosity wedged in my throat. “You don’t want me in it? I won’t come in it.”

He looks up and over from where he’s watching something – most likely surfing – on his device in his bed. “Do youneedto come in for something?”

“Your uncle asked me to bring this to you.” The bag wielding arm wedges itself through the small space to be seen. “Said it was for your box.”

Excitement begins to light up his crystal stare only to immediately be smothered away with a kick of the chin. “You can just drop in my chair and go.”