Page 110 of Don't Call Me Daddy
I’m going to miss her so damn much. Falling in love with Ivy wasn’t something I ever saw coming, and I can’t say I didn’t put up a fight, but really, how could I have expected it to be any other way? She’s a ninja like that—gets under your skin and burrowsherself inside you, and before you even realize it, she’s got her name carved in your heart.
Though I’d love nothing more than to tell her how I feel, I can’t bring myself to do it. The last thing I want is to confuse her any more than she already is. I don’t want her worrying about me or feeling guilty for leaving, not when she’s got her whole life ahead of her. She’s moving across the world, and even though I’d love to be selfish and ask her to stay, I could never do that to her.
So, I’ll keep my feelings to myself and love her through my actions. I’ll savor every moment while it lasts, and I’ll spend the rest of my life picking up the pieces of my broken heart and still consider myself the luckiest man in the whole goddamn world.
“I cannot believe the festival is already here. Can you, Frank?” my mom says as she nudges my dad.
Dad takes a swig of his drink. “You’re right; it feels like just yesterday, we were all sitting right here when these two offered to help run it.”
My dad’s eyes move between us and narrow in on me like he’s picking up on something that’s not quite right. Since I was a little kid, he’s always been able to see straight through me, always known when something was bothering me.
I purse my lips and smile. “It’s been quite an undertaking, but if anyone could make it fun, it’s Ivy.”
I squeeze her hand under the table, and she flashes me a quick smile. I immediately recognize it as a forced smile—I know every expression this girl makes; I’ve been studying her from the moment we met.
Maybe she’s thinking about the list?
Or she’s nervous about the event?
I don’t have time to overthink every possibility because my mom raises her glass for a toast.
“Here’s to another successful Phantom Fest and the best one yet!”
We clink our glasses, and I hold Ivy’s gaze and mouth,What’s wrong?
She shakes her head quickly and brushes me off. “Nothing. I’m just tired.” But then she releases my hand from under the table to grab a roll and never returns it.
It’s not like her to dodge my physical affection; in fact, I halfway expected her to fuck with me, try to give me a hand job under the table as payback. But she’s not acting like her playful, spunky self, and all I want to do is get her alone so I can fix whatever’s going on in her head right now.
“So, I’ve been meaning to tell you something, Leo. I know I already announced Carl as my successor, but it was always meant to be you who took my place, son. You were born to run this company, and there isn’t a soul I trust more to do it …”
My eyes snap to my father, and everyone’s side conversations go silent. Ivy’s hand finds mine, and she gives me an encouraging squeeze.
“I … I don’t understand. Are you serious? What about Carl?”
My dad grins, his eyes finding my mother’s. “Carl put on a good front; he was in on it the whole time, but he never really intended to take the job. I just needed a way to get your attention.”
My mouth falls open as I try to understand what he’s saying, and then I notice my mother attempting to hide her own grin behind her napkin. “Wait a minute. Did you know about this too?”
She puts her napkin in her lap, her smile now fully on display. “Of course I did. Who do you think gave him the idea? Don’t get me wrong; your father is a smart man, but I know my son, and I know how to get through to him.”
“I can’t believe this. So, all this time, you two were playing me …”
Roman lifts a hand. “Uh, I was in on it too.”
“We also knew about it.” Luka gestures between himself and Guy.
I shake my head in disbelief, feeling a sense of overwhelming relief that my dad never really doubted my ability, that I hadn’t lost his trust.
Suddenly, the realization that I’ve been lying to him this entire time about my relationship hits me, and I don’t feel so relieved. Instead, there’s a new layer of guilt that’s beginning to creep in. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep lying to him, especially now that he’s telling me how proud he is, how much he thinks I’ve grown.
I sneak a glance at Ivy, who’s biting her lip uncomfortably. She’s no doubt thinking the same thing I am. She gives me a little nod as she squeezes my hand. This is going to suck, but I know what I need to do.
“I’ve watched you grow so much over the last month, and I think you’re finally ready for me to pass you the baton. You’ve proven that you’re ready?—”
“Wait.” I hold up my hand to stop him. “I think you should know something before you say anything else …” I pause, taking a deep inhale. “I’ve been lying to you this whole time. Ivy and I aren’t really engaged. Hell, I’d only met her the night before you did, and that was just by chance?—”
My mother’s laughter is what interrupts me, and I clamp my mouth shut, feeling once again completely lost and confused as my entire family joins in with her. My eyes find Ivy, who thankfully seems to be just as confused as I am—thank God for that, I guess, as we watch everyone laugh at a joke we aren’t in on.
