Page 56 of Broken Boss Daddy

I waited until she went back to eating quietly, then another knock sounded. Moving to answer it, I was shocked to find my father waiting on the other side. He never came to my place.

“Dad? Wh-what are you doing here?” I stumbled over my words, throwing a glance over my shoulder.

“I came to see the milkman. Why do you think I’m here?” If I knew my father to be anything but a serious man, I would’ve laughed at his attempted humor.

Instead, I closed the door slightly so that he wouldn’t be able to see into my apartment. The last thing I needed was for him to see Abby and make assumptions, never mind how accurate those assumptions might be.

“Grant,” my father started. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No, I haven’t.” It was almost like an automatic response to counter everything he said when truthfully, I had been avoiding him.

“You can’t fool me, son. You left me no choice but to track you down here myself.”

“Why?” I knew it was a stupid question, but some dumb part in me thought it was better to play ‘non-the-wiser’ than actually have that conversation with him.

My father gave me a blunt look. “I’ve been wondering.”

“Wondering what?”

“About why it’s taking you so long to say yes to the most prestigious residency you’re ever going to get.”

Shifting on the spot, I looked back to make sure Abby was okay before taking a step outside. I closed the door just enough behind me I could see and hear her if I had to. Considering Jess hadn’t told Abby anything about me leaving yet, I didn’t want her to overhear our conversation.

“Dad.” I sighed. “It’s not that easy.”

“What do you mean it’s not easy? You call the chief and tell him you accept the position. There. Done. As easy as pie.”

“No, not done. There are other factors involved. Factors that affect my life just as much as my career does.”

“Factors? Grant, you’re talking like you have this whole fantastic life here that you can’t let go of. What in the world could keep you here?”

“Grant?” Abby chose that exact moment to call for me. “Can I have some milk?”

My dad’s eyes snapped to me, and I shut mine in defeat.

“Who’s that?” he asked with a brow raised in curiosity.

Sighing, I stepped back inside. “Just give me one second.” Then I turned to Abby. “Have you finished your food?”

“Yes,” she said, leaning her head on the table.

“Alright. Can you wait for me?”

Abby nodded her head, and I knew she wouldn’t stay content that way for long. Sudden exhaustion washed over me, and it was all I could do not to sigh again as I turned back to my father.

“Grant,” my father said in a serious tone.

“Dad.” Was it childish to not address his question? Yes. But I didn’t know how else to handle the situation.

The logical thing would’ve been to introduce my father to Abby as she is his granddaughter after all. Except, I knew Jessica wouldn’t want me introducing a stranger to our daughter without her being there. We just got to the step of Abby being alone with me, doing something without talking to Jess first would’ve sent us back a couple dozen steps.

“Am I going to have to ask you again about what is going on?”

There was no avoiding it, no chance of my father dropping the subject. Sighing once more and running a hand over my face, I peeked in and told Abby that she could watch some TV for a bit.

Stepping outside, I closed the door until there was only an inch gap left. I leaned against the railing, throwing a nervous look at my dad. “It’s not what you think it is.”

“And what exactly do I think it is?”

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