Page 21 of Forget Me Not
I pressed my forehead to the steering wheel and kept my eyes closed. He wasn’t supposed to know it was me. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation. “Get in.” I motioned to the passenger side door. I watched as my father rounded the front of the truck and climbed in. The amount of rage coming off him could warm the southern hemisphere. What could I say that would make any of this right?
“I should start by telling you I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” He grunted. “Are you serious right now? I fucking held your mother as we buried you, Danny. Buried you. Do you hear me? And Mackenzie—fuck.”
“I didn’t think it would go like this. When I did what I did, I thought I would come back and explain everything. And somehow you all would understand and forgive me. But the years passed, and I knew too much time had gone by to explain.”
“Then explain it now. Because I’m at a loss how my son, who supposedly died in a car accident, is sitting here beside me. And sure. You appear different, but I knew it was you. Your mother is going to lose her shit, Danny.”
“You can’t tell her, not yet.”
“I won’t lie to her.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
I launched into my story. Explaining how I came to work for them and why I had to disappear. I told him about the cases I worked and what had brought us to Barclay. His eyes widened.
“You mean to tell me that Austin Craig is involved with the mob?”
“Yes. But you keep that to yourself or you could fuck this case up.”
“And you go by Drake now?”
“I told you. When I signed the papers, my life became the government’s. They washed away my past life and gave me a new one.”
“I need to tell you something.” My dad wrung his hands in his lap. “Mackenzie has a son.”
“My son. I know. I ran into her last night after Austin ditched her. I took them home and put two and two together.”
“Does she know who you really are?”
“No. And she can’t. Not yet.”
“This is a big mess.”
“I know. I just need time to close this case and then I’ll tell her. For now, she needs to know me as Drake and so do you.”
My dad leaned across the seat and pulled me into his arms. The wetness from his tears soaked through my shirt. I could feel his sobs as his body shook against mine. My own emotions ripped out as I let him hold me.
“Can you forgive me, Dad? I thought I was making the right choice, for all of us. I didn’t know what the cost was until it was too late.”
“I never stopped loving you, Son. We all make choices that can hurt us, but all that matters is what you do to fix them.” He pulled away and wiped his tears. “I know Mackenzie has never stopped loving you. She never dated after you died. She devoted herself to work and to Danny junior. Until now.” His voice hardened. “That son of a bitch is a fraud, and he’s the first person she has trusted enough to give a chance. She’s going to be devastated.”
“I have a date with her tonight.”
“What? Is that a good idea?”
“Probably not. But I can’t stay away. This might be the only way I can know my son and maybe, just maybe, win her back.”
“Oh boy.” My dad laughed as he got out of the truck. “You know this is going to backfire, right? I think you should trust her enough to tell her the truth. She might surprise you.”
“I can’t.”
He nodded. “I understand. When this all comes crashing down, I’ll be here for you. And perhaps we can pick up the pieces together. I love you, Son. It’s like the heavens heard my cries and gave you back to me.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. Truly. I wish I had done things different. Causing you and mom pain was not what I had in mind when I joined. If I could take it back, I would.”
“I know, Son. I know.”
