Page 107 of Always Yours

“Anytime, Blake.”

“You still call him that?” My dad’s voice surprises me as we both look up to where he’s starting to lean against the railing.

“Dad?”

“Hey, buddy. Flynn, you ready?” he asks, reaching out and smacking Flynn’s shoulder lovingly.

“Absolutely,” he says, more confident now that my dad is here.

“Good. Listen, you got a minute?” he asks me, and I look from him to Flynn then back.

“Yeah. I gotta stay close for them to call my name.”

“For sure. We can go to the steps,” he says, jerking his head to the left. Nerves eat me alive as I get up, grabbing my sub.

“Text me if they call you in,” I say, and Flynn nods. “Good luck, not that you need it.”

Flynn looks as worried as I feel, but he smiles. “Thanks, bro.”

Dad smiles at Flynn, and I move around the rail toward him before falling into step with him. “What’s up?” I ask, and Dad stops, turning to me.

“We haven’t spoken since the wedding.”

I clear my throat. “Been busy.”

“Or you’re upset with me.”

“Or both,” I retort, holding his gaze. “You had no right to say what you did. She is more than a piece of ass.”

He searches my gaze. “So, you are involved with her?”

“I am,” I say simply, not wanting to deny it or even tell him it’s none of his business. “I’m in love with her.”

Dad takes a deep breath and then lets it out slowly, his eyes still burning into mine. “Okay, I figured.” Unsure what to say, I don’t say anything. “Elli called me.”

I make a face. “Why?”

“Davenport wants you removed.”

I bring my brows in. “What? Because I’m with Austen?”

He nods. “Yeah, but Elli being Elli said she isn’t going to let it happen. I don’t know what she has planned, I don’t even know what’s really going on, but I need you to keep your cool in that meeting.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t fly off the handle and do something you’ll regret.”

“I won’t disrespect them—”

“No. I mean don’t choose her over your career.”

It’s as if he’s slapped me across the face. I gawk at him and shake my head. “As much as I hope it doesn’t come to that, I’ll do it, no problem.”

“Dimitri,” he stresses, “you’ve worked too hard—”

“I don’t fucking care,” I say, holding his gaze. “When you knocked Mom up, you had to choose to be with her and keep your career or lose it all. You made the right choice, and I trust I can do the same.”

“It was different, Dimitri. I had a kid coming, and yes, it worked out for me and I’ll never love anyone the way I love your mom, but there is nothing holding you to this girl.”

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