Page 59 of Storm Bound
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he said.
“No, actually. I wouldn’t. This conversation will haunt me enough as it is,” I said and turned around to finish getting ready.
“So… I guess you’re going out with your doctor, huh?” Dad said walking into the room.
I nodded, pulling out my ankle boots from under the bed.
“I hope he’s treating you nice,” he said.
“Wouldn’t date him if he didn’t, Dad. Was there something you wanted? Don’t tell me you want to have thetalkabout the birds and the bees. Or the bees and the bees as the case may be,” I said as I sat on my bed.
Dad sat down next to me with a huff.
“Don’t be so stupid, Charlie. I just want you to be careful,” he said.
“Really, Dad? You think I haven’t been dating my whole life? I know,” I said.
“I know. I know. I know you can take care of yourself, I’m just… concerned about this doctor.”
“Why?” I frowned. What did he have against Adam? For all I knew they’d never met before.
“I don’t know. I… Okay, but don’t be mad at me, okay?” he said, raising a finger in the air. I nodded. “I just… don’t trust people who abandon their lives.”
“He didn’t abandon his life. He just wanted to start over again,” I said.
I couldn’t believe he was passing judgment on someone he’d never met.
“Son, when people leave everything behind to go somewhere new, they’re usually running from something. I’d know. I left y’all after your mom’s death, and I never really stopped. I wasn’t there for you even when I was here.”
My dad had never been this open with me before. He always kept things tight to his chest. I knew Mom’s passing hadn’t been easy on him, or any of us, but he’d never before called a spade a spade. We all knew he was avoiding us because he was in pain. He’d never admitted it before. It was nice of him to finally say it.
But that still didn’t give him the right to make a judgment on someone he didn’t even know.
“Dad, please—”
“I know I’m overstepping. But that’s my job as your father, so… get over it. I just hope I’m wrong. Because I’d hate to see you getting hurt.”
I paused. My dad’s hand rested on my leg, and he looked at me with sincerity. There was a twinge of sadness behind his eyes.
“Thank you for looking out for me, Dad,” I said instead of whatever had been hanging on the back of my throat.
He was just doing his job. Granted, a job he hadn’t performed well over the years, but it was never too late.
“I love you, son,” he said.
He hugged me, and I hugged him back. This was definitely new territory in our relationship. But it was more than welcome.
He didn’t say anything else when he let go. Just got up and walked away. Then at the last moment, he turned around.
“And please warn him that if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass all the way to Uranus,” he said.
A tear stung my eye, but I couldn’t help the laugh that roared out of me.
“Will do,” I replied and wiped my face. “Now go away or I’ll be late.”
Dad smiled and left, and I picked up my keys. I ran through Dad’s words over and over on my way there. Adam had been honest with me. He’d shared everything with me. I knew Dad was only looking out for me, but not everyone who wanted a fresh start was running away from something.
It all went away, anyway, as soon as I pulled into Adam’s driveway. I watched him from my windshield in his violet vest and leather jacket. His dark, curly hair had been straightened and painted silver. He was breathtaking.
