Page 142 of Caged

“I think so, too,” Dad said. “She’s better behaved than the boys.”

“That’s a pretty low bar, sir,” Cate joked, catching everyone off guard.

Dad laughed, “You got that right. Come one General, I’ll show you the range.”

Chapter 53

Cate

The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of family interactions and healing. Much of which included meeting up with various members of the Sheppard family at Grannie’s. After visiting on Friday, my father had insisted on going back every day. He’d fallen in love with the kitschy decor, the welcoming atmosphere, and of course, the coffee.

Time flew by and before I knew it, Monday morning arrived and it was time to take my father to the airport.

I got up early, but Jay had gotten up earlier. He made coffee and started breakfast. Seeing him and my father chatting comfortably in my kitchen, while Jay scrambled eggs, felt right.

“Morning,” I said around a yawn.

“Morning.” Jay kissed the top of my head before handing me a cup of coffee.

“Thank you.”

“Bacon or sausage?”

“You made both?” I asked.

“No, I was just hoping you’d choose the one I made,” Jay said, laying the sarcasm on thick. “Of course I made both.”

The exchange caused my father roll his eyes, something I’d never seen him do before. “What was that for?” I asked.

“What was what for?” Jay asked.

“Not you, my father. He rolled his eyes at me.” I let my shock bleed through.

“You’ll always be like this, won’t you?” my father asked, pointing between us.

I laughed. Probably, we still liked to goad each other. Jaden more than me. Though I bet he’d say the opposite if asked.

We drove each other crazy, we challenged each other, and we loved each other. I didn’t see a reason to change.

“It works for us,” I finally answered, shrugging my left shoulder.

Saying bye to my father was a lot harder than I’d anticipated, but we promised to talk weekly. Having bonded with my father over the weekend, Jay extended his leave from SSI so he could drive us to the airport.

Jay went old school and asked my father for permission to date me, earning my father’s stamp of approval. We didn’t need it, but earning my father’s respect meant a lot to Jay.

Who was I kidding, it meant a lot to me, too. I wanted the two men I loved most in the world to like and respect each other.

Watching my father walk away brought an unexpected tear to my eye.

“You okay?” Jay’s arms wrapped gently around me as he whispered in my ear.

Saying goodbye had never been this hard before.But we’re closer now.And I no longer felt the need to hide my emotions around him. I didn’t need to hide my emotions at all, which was liberating in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

Having to get shot and almost die for it to happen sucked, but I’d take it.

“I am.”

When we could no longer see my father, Jay said, “Let’s go home.”

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