Page 119 of Stella
“Quite the Inspector Clouseau, huh? I’ll be right back, I gotta tell the boys.”
I smile to myself, pleased I was able to help. I mean, I didn’t expect little old me would be helpful in any capacity. I just wanted to hide out from my dad. Speak of the devil; Dad appears in the doorway as Jett leaves.
“Can we talk?” he asks.
I fold my arms over my chest. “There isn’t anything to talk about. All you’re going to do is give me a big lecture, and frankly I don’t need to hear it.”
“So that’s it? You’re with Callaghan? I don’t even get to say my piece?”
I sigh. “Dad, you’ve said your piece a lot. I’m sorry that we snuck around, okay, but I didn’t know I was going to fall in love with him, and I had no idea until tonight that he felt the same way. We were just fooling around, and then it just happened.”
He swallows hard. “He took advantage of you, tryin’ to get information…”
I laugh without humor. “Really, Dad? Information on the Rebels to do what, exactly? Isn’t he the one who just broke protocol to warn Cash? I know you don’t like him, but give credit where it’s due.”
He falls silent. “You’re my baby, Stella. Since you were born and I held you in these hands.”
“I know that, Dad. And I’m always gonna be your daughter, but I know what I’m doing.”
He shakes his head. “Do you? Do you really? Because if you choose Cale, that will have implications for this club. Are you really willin’ to give up everythin’ you’ve worked hard for?”
“Why?” I shoot back. “Are you gonna disown me?”
“Harlem,” Indi says, moving under his arm to stand in front of him. “You’re forgetting what it’s like to be young and in love.”
He glances down at her. “Young maybe, but not that last part.”
She pats his arm. “Stella would never do anything untoward to put this club in danger, or her family. You can’t help who you fall in love with. We, of all people, know that.”
“That’s different,” he snarks.
“Oh, why?”
“Because… because we’ve both had other relationships.”
She gives him a soft smile, something that always makes my dad soften. “And this is Stella’s first. I know the club has this tit for tat thing with the NOPD, but if this was any other daughter than yours, you’d be the first one to embrace it, and probably be happy for her.”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Really?” She cocks her head. “Come on, H, give Stella a break here. She’s human. Sometimes we don’t mean for things to happen, they just happen.”
I love Indigo, she’s the only one in this freaking family of adults who talks any sense.
“Let’s just get through the rest of today,” he says, turning away. “I think there’s been enough revelations for the moment.”
As he turns and walks away, Indi gives me a smile. “He’ll come around.”
I shrug, tears pricking my eyes. “And if he doesn’t?”
“He won’t lose you, Stella, remember that. He’s set in his ways, and despite the way he is, you know he loves you,” Indi says.
“I do,” I sniff. “But I also have to live my own life, and it may not be the way he wants me to live it. I don’t want to disappoint him or the club, but my feelings are real.”
She walks over and bends to give me a hug. “Of course they are. It’ll all come out in the wash, honey. I promise. Just keep your head held high, and if Cale really is the one, then that’s all that matters.”
“Thanks, Indi.”
“Anytime. If you need to talk, or a shoulder to cry on, just know I’m here, and I won’t say anything to your dad.”
