Page 65 of Don't Call Me Daddy
I rub my palms together. “That’s fine. We do love to snuggle, don’t we, babe?”
Leo forces a grin. “Yeah … snuggling. That’s something we do.”
“Good. I knew you’d understand. I’m going to go find your father. I think he’s down at the creek, fishing.” She blows us a kiss, then gets up to leave.
“Don’t worry; I’ll get one of them to trade tents,” Leo says as soon as she’s out of earshot.
“Really? How are you going to do that?”
He shakes his head like it’s obvious. “I’m the oldest brother. I have an arsenal of methods up my sleeve.”
I sit back, propping my arms behind me. “Whatever you think is best. I thought you had the whole self-control thing locked down, but I guess not. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were afraid to spend the night with me.”
He snaps a twig, grumbling something under his breath that I can’t quite hear, then abruptly stands, in search of one of his brothers.
I look around the picturesque campsite, shaded by dense trees, and I can see why they hike all the way out here. It’s so peaceful, like a scene right out of a painting.
If I close my eyes, I can almost feel Fern beside me, whispering spooky stories in my ear or giving me a history lesson about how old these mountains are. God, I miss her. How am Isupposed to know what to do next without her planning for our perfect futures?
Tears sting behind my eyes, but I don’t let them fall, urging the sadness back down, where I keep it locked up tight. The pain’s getting stronger; it’s harder to push it away with each and every check I make to the list, and I’m starting to worry I’ll be worse off by the time this is all over.
I’m supposed to be moving on with my life … so why do I find myself clinging to the past, terrified to let go? I hate feeling like this.
I think it’s about time for another distraction.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Leo
“Please, you have to do this for me. I’ll owe you one … whatever you want. I’ll offer Scout a job, make her an offer she can’t refuse so she’ll have no choice but to move back.” I snap my fingers as another idea hits me. “Oh, I know. I’ll hire you in the same department and make you partners so she can’t escape you.”
Luka narrows his eyes at me before swinging his axe down, splitting a piece of firewood in half. “I don’t get it, dude. Why are you over here, trying to bribe me into swapping tents? You’re the only one out here getting laid …”
“And offering a helping hand so you can do the same,” I say, still hoping to convince him.
He shakes his head. “I appreciate the offer, but last I heard, she’s happy—engaged, I think—so I’m afraid my chances with her are long gone by now.” He places his hands on his hips and shrugs. “You can always try to bribe Guy; I’m sure there’s a favor he’d like to cash in. Not sure how desperate you are to avoid sleeping next to your fiancée …”
“It’s not like that. I told you, I sleep hot. I don’t want to sweat her out in that tiny child-size tent—why was that the one you grabbed? I know we have more to choose from in storage.”
He swings his axe again with a thud and stops to wipe the sweat from his brow. “It was on top. You didn’t exactly give us much notice to pack?—”
“Because you weren’t invited! I showed up to get tents, and everyone just decided to tag along and invade our private camping trip like some kind of fuckingChristmas Vacationbullshit,” I snap.
“Now, Leo, we both know you wanted us to come along, so cut the shit. You always loved family camping trips growing up. I think the only time I’ve ever seen you genuinely happy was when you were out here, and it’s certainly the only time I’ve ever seen you come even remotely close to being relaxed. Forgive us for wanting to spend time together without you and Dad hijacking the entire conversation and making it about work.”
I bend to start stacking the wood into a pile, not wanting to look him in the eye. “I don’t hog the conversation. I just don’t always have Dad’s attention at work, so when I get the opportunity to discuss things and he’s listening, I guess I just take it.”
He places a hand on my shoulder tenderly. “I appreciate your honesty, bro … but you’re not getting my tent. If you’re so worried about getting too hot, maybe you should sleep nude. That’s what I’m planning on doing. Makes me feel dangerous and uninhibited.” He winks, and I brush his hand off.
“Fuck you, man. Don’t ask me for any favors because I’m going to remember this.” I point at him as I walk away.
“Hey, aren’t you going to help me carry all this firewood?” he calls, but I just give him the middle finger and stomp off.
“Real mature, Leo. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re afraid of being alone with your fiancée. Tell her my tent’s alwaysopen if she needs someone with a little more stamina and youth on his side.”
Fucking idiots. They all are.
I kick at a rotting tree log, sending slivers of wood flying as I stomp through the thick, wooded forest, trying to blow off some steam.
