Page 118 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

I scrub my hand over my face, but it’s too late to back down, and now that I’ve opened this can of worms, I’m afraid I’ve got to see it through. “No, I think you do, but I also think you think because Ashlyn moved away, your days of being supportive and present aren’t necessary anymore. And I guess, in a way, you’re right. Because she doesn’t need you. Ash is strong. And independent. And smart. So fucking smart,” I add, before I realize I just dropped the f-bomb in front of my future in-laws.

Shit.

I clear my throat and continue. “But she still wants you in her life. She misses you. She wants to be close to you. Even when she’s across the country at school. Even when she’s taking on the world all by herself. She still wants her mom and dad. I think you need to stop taking it for granted.”

Wade’s gaze narrows. Not angrily. Almost defensively. “Who says we’re taking our roles as parents for granted?”

“No one had to say it. I could see it.”

He takes a step toward me. “Listen here––”

“I had to twist your arm on the phone yesterday,” I remind them, my attention shifting from one defensive face to the other. “You might not have even noticed, but you had multiple excuses locked and loaded as to why we couldn’t come, and you didn’t agree until you felt like you had no other choice.”

Angelica jerks back as if I’ve slapped her. “We get busy––”

“I get it,” I return. “And if it were one instance, I’d believe you, but it’s all the time. You want to claim the title of parents without doing any of the heavy lifting anymore. It isn’t fair to Ash.”

With her lower lip trembling, Angelica toys with the gold strand on her necklace but stays quiet as she leans into Wade’s side.

“I’m not going to lecture you anymore because we both know it isn’t my place,” I add, my tone softening. “But if you care about Ash––and I know you do––you need to start showing it. Not only when it’s convenient for you. Not just around the holidays and shit. But all the time. Because I can guarantee one day, I’m gonna propose to Ash. And I know she’s going to want you to walk her down the aisle. But only if you’ve earned the right. And lately? It hasn’t been the case.”

Wade scrubs his hand over his face and mutters, “Listen, Colt––”

“My dad died during my senior year of high school, Mr. Peterson. I know what it’s like to have too much space. Too much time between conversations. Do you know what I would give for him to be able to call me? To hear his voice again? You guys can still talk to Ash, but you don’t.” I scoff, blown away by how her own flesh and blood wouldn’t want to talk to her every hour of every day. “Life is short, Mr. Peterson. It’s short. And you don’t know when or how it’ll end. I know you’re not trying to take your role for granted as Ash’s parents, but she needs more. She needs to hear how proud you are of her. Not me. I already know she’s a badass, and I spend every day reminding her of it. But she needs to hear it from you too.” I raise my hands in surrender, take a step back, and let out a long, slow breath. “Okay. Now I’m really done. I’m sorry.” I force out another breath. “I love your daughter, and I want to make sure she’s being treated the way she deserves. That’s it. I love her.”

The entryway is so quiet I swear you can hear a pin drop. But I keep my mouth shut––because I've already said too much––and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.

Waiting.

Just…waiting.

For Wade to punch me in the face.

For Angelica to throw me out of their home.

For both of them to chew my ass out for overstepping my bounds. Because I’m not a dumbass. I know it’s exactly what I’ve done.

But they needed to hear it. The truth.

The good.

The bad.

And the ugly.

No matter how much it hurts.

Angelica laces her fingers through Wade’s and brings his hand to her lips as they engage in some kind of silent conversation. He stares down at her, his eyebrows pulled low for a long second. He dips his chin and looks at me again.

Reserved.

Hesitant.

But vulnerable.

“We’ll keep it all in mind, Colt,” he tells me.

I nod, grateful for his understanding while hiding my surprise at how well they handled my speech. “Thank you.”

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