Page 95 of Swiped By My Dad's Best Friend
“If anyone gets hurt here, it’ll be me.”
Matthew had looked skeptical.
“He’s young, Matt. I know he’s young, okay? I didn’t seek him out because of his age, but in spite of it. Because I couldn’t help feeling drawn to him. But I know his life is just starting. He may not always want me in it.”
For the first time since this all started, Matthew had softened slightly. “He told me last week that he never wanted to go to college.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I kind of figured that out. I’m glad he finally told you how he felt.”
Matthew shook his head. “How could I miss that? I thought he was just more interested in parties and weed, that he was blowing off steam and being irresponsible. Ineverrealized how deep it went.”
Now that Cooper and I were officially a couple, I wasn’t sure how much of his confidence to give away. I shrugged a shoulder. “You saw what you wanted to see, Matt. Don’t beat yourself up. He hid it from you.”
“Because I didn’t listen, not really,” he said with a grimace. “You told me weeks ago to really listen and stop letting my own expectations get in the way, and I didn’t do it.” He paused. “You were with him even then, weren’t you? You knew how he felt.”
“Not completely,” I hedged. “We were figuring out what we wanted from one another, I guess. He hadn’t told me in so many words that he didn’t want to be in school. I just sort of read between the lines.”
“Something I was too blind to do.”
“Well, listen. No relationship is perfect,” I said. “You and Cooper can get to a better place. But it won’t happen if you shame him for being with me.”
He looked aghast. “I wasn’tshaminghim.”
“He hates disappointing you.”
Matthew had looked floored, but before he could respond, Cooper had arrived and his mother had called. Now, we stood in the hallway, both uncertain and uncomfortable. Matthew might have agreed to try to accept us, as Cooper had requested, but our friendship was unlikely to ever be the same. With enough time, I could prove to Matthew that I was good for Cooper, that I wasn’t going to hurt him. But I’d broken Matthew’s trust by getting involved with his son, and our trust had been a fragile thing to begin with after our past.
The first breach had been his fault, but the last had been mine. I owned that. I’d worried I’d damage our fledgling friendship before I knew whether Cooper and I would have a future, and in doing so, I’d cemented the very thing I’d feared. But there was no going back now. I couldn’t change it, and even if I could, I’d never trade Cooper. I’d have to live with my failings, knowing that I never meant to hurt anyone. I only followed my heart.
Matthew shifted uncomfortably. “I should check on my other guests.”
“What you’ve got here is pretty amazing,” I said. “Hosting so many kids who can’t make it home.”
He smiled tentatively. “No one should be alone on Thanksgiving.”
My chest tightened. I’d spent plenty of holidays alone. But maybe now that I had Cooper that would never be the case again. Because despite what I said to Matthew about Cooper growing tired of me, I would work like hell to be the best Daddy in the world so that he never wanted anyone else.
I already knew there’d be no one else for me.
I’d found my brat, and I planned to keep him.
27
COOPER
When I left my father’s office, Trace was waiting for me in the hallway. He’d propped himself against the wall across from the door, balancing a nearly empty plate in his left hand. Everything was gone except for a big portion of corn casserole.
“Didn’t like it?” I asked, feeling disappointed.
“Brat, what have I told you about jumping to conclusions about me? I was waiting to try it. Figured that after you went to the trouble of making it, you’d like to see someone enjoy it.”
I smiled, feeling some of the weight of the conversation with my mother begin to lift. It had been a strained talk, with both of us unsure of our footing, but I was glad I’d decided to speak to her again. Even so, I was happy to seize on the distraction Trace was providing.
“I’d like to seeyouenjoy it, Daddy,” I murmured as I stepped in close.
“Why don’t you feed it to me?”
My heart skipped. “Yeah?”
