Page 70 of The Other Half

“I wouldn’t miss it, I’ve been trying to convince Oakley to throw a party here all year long,” she replies as she winks at me.

“I have a little something for you.” Mom hands her a glittery, silver bag. Amber pulls out a card and a bracelet with the year printed on it. They squeeze each other tight, and I see Amber’s eyes become glossy. I’m happy she and my mom get along so well, I know she isn’t extremely close to either of her parents.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Oliver. I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” she says earnestly. He reaches out his hand, but she quickly pulls him in for a hug.

I see my dad walking towards us from the corner of my eye. Here goes nothing. All four of us become a little more stiff and uncomfortable when he reaches our circle.

“Thank you for coming tonight,” he says to no one in particular.

Amber and Rodney thank him for the invitation and they all shake hands. Oliver and I share a look, confirming that we might as well get this over with now.

“Oliver, I’d like to have a word with you.” Dad has his classic, unreadable expression cemented on his face.

Oliver nods, his lips in a tight, straight line. “Sure.”

I follow them, but my dad turns around abruptly when he notices me. “Alone.” My stomach falls and my breath catches. What is he going to do? I’m not necessarily scared that he’d hurt Oliver, especially not with all these people watching, but the two of them alone together still makes me uncomfortable.

Mom lays her hand on my shoulder. “Let’s just give them a moment,” she whispers as I watch them fade into the crowd of bodies.

Chapter 54

Oliver

I follow Dan out onto their back deck. The sun is beginning to set behind the mountains, and they have a million dollar view of it out here, literally. We both stare at the view for a moment before he starts talking. I’m sure as hell not going to be the one to start this conversation. What I’d really like to do is tell him to go fuck himself, but I know that despite everything, Oakley wants her dad to like me.

“Congratulations,” he says, stuffing his hands in his pockets. I can’t get a read on what he’s thinking right now, his expression is stoic and reserved. The only other time I spoke to him he seemed like a completely different person, unable to contain his emotions or even pretend to be pleasant.

“Thank you.”

“You must have worked extremely hard for that scholarship. I know they don’t give it out freely.”

I nod. Did I work hard? Not really, to be honest. I just went to school and did my work. I’m lucky. Gifted is what my teachers and principals have called me since I entered kindergarten at a fifth grade reading level. Up until today, though, I didn’t think it even mattered.

“I have to admit that I may have misjudged you.”

I’m not sure what to say to that. Yeah, you were a total classist piece of shit, thanks for noticing?

“I know that you’re still involved with my daughter.” He lets out a humorless laugh. “I don’t think I ever really believed I could keep the two of you apart. But I tried my best.” He shakes his head, still watching the sun set over the mountains. His tone turns serious again. “What are your intentions with her?”

My intentions? I’m not good at this type of thing at all, especially with a dude that I know doesn’t like me. “I love her.” I surprise myself when I tell him the truth without hesitation. But what else is there to say? I do love her, more than life itself. I can’t imagine a future without her in it. “I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

He nods slowly. “I want her to have a good life. I didn’t always have money like I do now.” He sighs. “When I was growing up we didn’t have a house like this or go on fancy vacations. My dad was a car salesman, and it wasn’t the most reliable source of income all the time. I worked my ass off at football to get into the best school I could, and I paid my student loans off as soon as possible. I wasn’t handed all of this.” He gestures to the massive house behind us.

I nod. I have to admit, I am a little bit surprised. I assumed he had generational wealth. “I understand.”

“I don’t want her to end up in a bad situation with someone who can’t take care of her. But I realize now…maybe I didn’t handle it in the best way.” He rubs his neck, a flicker of guilt crossing his face for just a second. “So what do you plan on studying?”

“Architecture.” Truthfully, I never thought about going to college until only a few months ago, and my major might change. But for now it feels right, I can combine my natural aptitude for math with my love of art.

He nods. “Can you make a good living on that type of salary?”

I don’t know what he considers a “good living.” To me anything above poverty level would be nice. “I believe so.”

“I just want her to be able to live the type of lifestyle she does now. I know she wouldn’t be happy otherwise.”

I take a deep breath and try not to roll my eyes. “With all due respect, I don’t know if this lifestyle is exactly what she wants.”

His expression hinges on anger for a second. “What do you mean by that?”

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