Page 13 of Midnight Whispers
He’d been all cried out weeks ago. He wanted to move on, but sometimes, the feelings would pick up again as though the universe needed to remind him of his grief.
“I wasn’t a great parent to you. I’ll admit that.”
“I didn’t start my day wanting to bring up the past.”
“I know.” Dad pulled away but held Riley by the shoulders. “I intend to be the best parent I can be, but you must do one thing for me.”
“Which is?”
“Let me.”
“That’s going to be difficult.” He’d had no one for so long. He wasn’t sure what relying on his father entailed. Would he have to ask for every little thing, including spending money? Did he need to be in at a certain time of night? “I’m not a child anymore.”
“I know you’re an adult, Riley. I’m talking more about letting the past go.”
“I’ll try.” But the past hadn’t been that far away on the timeline of his life. He wasn’t sure he knew how to let it go.
Griffin patted Riley on the back. “How about you come with me to work today? That way you don’t have to be alone. And I can introduce you to Miss Ruth. Plus, my mom has been asking daily if you’re ready for her.”
“I’m always ready for Zinnie’s love.” Riley couldn’t help but smile.
“She was worried, what with you losing your mom.” Griffin directed that comment to his dad more than Riley. It was as if he were reminding Dad to take it easy on Riley.
Riley rolled his eyes. He didn’t need anyone tiptoeing around him, but he didn’t say so. He didn’t want the argument to continue.
“Zinnie isn’t anything like my mother.” For one thing, she wasn’t an alcoholic who was so far into the bottle that she neglected everything else in her life, including her son. Riley blew out a big sigh. “I think I might be in the anger stage.”
“Anger stage?” His dad asked.
“The stages of grief.” Riley picked up his cup again. “I’m mad at her. And I think I want to take it out on you, Dad. I’m sorry for that.”
“If that’s what you need, I’m here for it.” But it wasn’t what Dad deserved.
Riley shook his head. “I’ll deal with it.”
Griff shook his head as if in exasperation. “Just feel your feelings.”
Dad began plating food. He handed Riley and Griffin each a plate before pulling one of the bar stools around and sitting down to his own plate.
They ate eggs over medium, potatoes, bacon, and toast. It wasn’t until Riley was a couple of bites in before he spoke again. “Did you know there are wolves in Fortune Falls? As in werewolf shifters.”
Griffin choked on the bite he’d just taken.
Riley patted him on the back.
Dad was the one who answered. “Most everyone who’s a permanent resident, minus a lot of the college students, know about the wolf shifter pack. Why do you ask?”
“Just something the dispatcher said last night. Cass filled me in when he came to my rescue.” When Griffin opened his mouth to ask, Riley said, “Ran out of gas. Called the sheriff’s department for help. Cass came.”
Riley kept his right hand under the table for a moment. It seemed he couldn’t even speak Cass’s name without his hand glowing. What the hell was wrong with him?
Dad frowned. “It’s not like Cass to clarify. It’s against pack law to tell an outsider about shifters. Not just wolves. Or any paranormal, for that matter.”
Riley sucked in a breath. “Other paranormals? What does that mean? Like there’s more than just people who turn into wolves?”
Griffin raised his eyebrows at his father. “There are a variety of shifters and vampires.”
“Witches…and warlocks.” His dad never took his gaze off Riley.
