Page 78 of Skating the Blue Line
So I just give him a closed lip smile and head down the hall.
The whole night, instead of sleeping soundly, I dream about Liam sleeping right next to me and how it would be like if I caved into my feelings.
It would be good, but I can’t seem to do it in real life.
20
LIAM
“I like her,”My father states as he helps me pack up my truck, the one I only use in the winter, to head home.
I don’t have to look up to know that he is talking about Chloe.
My mom told me the same thing this morning after breakfast.
“Yeah, she’s something special.” I say, sliding the last bag into the covered bed.
“You sure you two aren’t together?” my old man asks, shutting the tailgate.
I go through the last two days in my head and try to remember if me and Chloe had acted anything other than just friends that were about to have a baby.
Nothing comes to mind.
Sure, I placed my hand on the small of her back a time or two and she gave me a kiss on the cheek when I gave her her Christmas present, but nothing comes to mind that would have my dad ask that.
It’s not like I snuck into her room late at night and got caught.
“Yup, I’m sure,” I say, giving him a nod. “Why?”
“No reason. I just thought you two look cute together, is all.”
“Look cute together?” I repeat. I have never heard my dad say the word cute. Ever.
“Yeah, cute,” he says again, and it feels weird as hell.
“This is mom’s doing, isn’t it?” I ask nodding over to the woman that is currently showing Chloe all the poinsettia that fill the front porch.
My dad lets out a sigh, like he couldn’t keep in a secret much longer. “She was talking about it last night. Told me to talk to you about making an honest woman out of Chloe, you know before the baby comes.”
Honest woman?
Who the hell even says that anymore?
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I guess even I told her a number of times, my mom hasn’t dropped the whole getting married thing.
“Chloe and I have talked about this and have both think it’s not a good idea to jump into anything. We are concentrating on the baby. That’s it.”
I don’t know how much clearer I can get.
“Have you told your mom that?” he asks but he already knows the answer.
“A handful of times.” I say with a nod.
“Then all I can say is that I talked to you and that I tried.”
“Thanks, dad. I really appreciate this talk.” I say with a little too much sarcasm.
“Of course, son. Anything for your mother,” he claps me on the shoulder and walks over to where mom and Chloe are.
