Page 99 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
“He saw what happened between you and Mom, how you chose your music over her. How you pretty much ditched us all. He thinks the same thing will happen to him and that’s why he broke up with the girl he cares about.”
Dad just stands there in complete shock.
“Stop destroying our lives,” I snap. “Look what you’re doing to Eric. Because of what you did, he doesn’t think he can ever have a future with her.”
He lowers himself on the bed. “I never meant for that to happen. He has to know his life will turn out differently than mine.”
I hold up my hands. “Why would he think that? He looks up to you. He wants to be just like you. Talk to him. Tell him he’s crazy for breaking up with Katie. If you don’t talk some sense into him, he’ll lose out on something amazing.”
I whirl around and storm out of his room.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Eric
I have no right to peer toward her room, but I can’t help it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since I broke up with her, and after last night’s concert without her by my side on stage, I felt like half of me was missing.
But I can’t think about her like that.Ichose to break up with her.
Has she…has she moved on? Forgotten about me? Written me off from her life?
There’s a light tap on my door before Dad walks in, a small smile on his face. He takes one look at me sitting at the window like a pathetic broken-hearted guy and his smile falters. He sits down on my bed, clasping his hands in his lap.
“Ethan told me everything. About the girl and your future. Eric, just because my life took a certain path, doesn’t mean yours will.” He stands. “I think we should get your brother in here. He needs to hear this, too. Ethan?” he calls. “Can you please join us in Eric’s room?”
It takes a few minutes for my twin to bring himself over. He sits on the other end of the bed, as if wanting to stay as far away from Dad as possible. He crosses his arms over his chest.
Dad begins, “You boys need to understand exactly what happened between your mother and me. I chose to follow my dreams, which means I’ve hardly been in your lives—a decision that wasn’t easy. Your mother understood my drive for music and sacrificed for me. I know you guys resent me for that, but you must understand that I wasn’t happy. Yes, I was happy to be a dad. When you two were born, it was the happiest day of my life. But I’m not cut out to stay in one place, have a set job. I need to express myself, to go out there and play music.”
He shifts on the bed. “Your mother and I still love each other. I think we always will, but this is the life I have chosen. It’s very hard. I miss you guys every day, even though you might not feel it. Ask the guys in my band how often I talk about my boys.” He laughs lightly. Then he turns to me. “Eric, just because I chose this life, it doesn’t mean you should. You can tour and still have a future with…is it Katie?”
I nod solemnly.
“You and I are very similar with our love for music, but you have a bigger heart than I do, son. You’re braver than me. More strong-willed. You canchooseto follow your dreams and have a future with the girl you love. Music and Katie are not mutually exclusive. I want you to forget about what happened between me and your mother. You and Katie aren’t us. You can pave your own path, one very, very different from mine.” He glances at Ethan, who doesn’t meet his gaze. “Which brings me to this: I want to be a better father to you boys.”
Ethan snorts. “A little too late for that.”
Dad stretches his hand to Ethan’s arm. Ethan bends away from him, but Dad just continues rubbing my brother’s arm. “When I’m on the road, it’s sometimes easy to forget about my responsibilities. You’re right that I’ve been a terrible father, but I want to make it up to you. I want to call you or video chat with you every night. I want you to tell me about your lives, about your girlfriends, about your football games, Ethan.”
Ethan doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t push Dad’s hand off, so at least that’s a start.
“I want to be there for my sons. If not physically, then virtually. And I’d like to come visit you more often. Soon you’ll go off to college and live your own lives.” He takes in a deep breath. “Do you boys forgive me for being a crappy dad?” He turns to Ethan. “Can we please start over?”
Ethan rolls his eyes. “Sure, whatever.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Dad says. “I’m serious about this. And if a day passes and you haven’t heard from me, I want you to reach out to me. I want you to yell at me and demand I do better. Because I want to make this up to you. I want you boys to believe in me, just like you did when you were little.” He squeezes Ethan’s arm. “I know this is going to take time, and I’m sorry for not being there for you. But let’s try to have a relationship.”
Ethan looks at him for a little while, as if trying to read him. “You’re really serious about this.”
Dad nods. “I am. Spending the past two days with you have been my happiest in a very long time. I miss you guys and want to be part of your lives.”
Ethan and I exchange a glance. He nods. “Okay.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. “And thanks for talking to me about Katie. I guess I was freaking out over nothing. I care about her a lot and shouldn’t let anything get in my way.”
Dad stands and wraps an arm over my shoulder. “Hold onto this girl, because from what I hear, she’s special.”
I smile and nod.
