Page 5 of Keeping Our Secrets

“That’s actually the reason I’m calling you,” he replied. Then he paused for a moment, as if he was trying to consider his next words. “What would you think if I told you that neither of us wants to wait any longer?”

“You’re asking for my permission to get married now?”

“More like I’m asking you if it would bother you if you weren’t here for it?” he responded. “I understand if you want us to wait, and if it’s that important to you, we will.”

“If you want to elope, go ahead,” I answered.

“Thank you, son. You don’t know how happy it makes me that you’re on board with this.”

I didn’t begrudge him his happiness because he had been a widower and hadn’t dated at all since Mom died. It wasn’t like I was still a small child having to deal with a new mom; I was an adult living away from home. Her presence wouldn’t affect my life in the grand scheme of things.

My dad had been sad for so long, it was great to see him getting out of the funk. He was too young to be a widower. I couldn’t fathom expecting him to remain alone for the rest of his life. Running into Alana at a convention in Las Vegas just before Christmas last year had been the best thing for him. It had been a complete fluke they even reconnected after so many years.

They dated for a couple of years when they were in high school, but went their separate ways when they got into different universities. That was where my dad met my mom, and they were married shortly after. My parents were together and blissfully in love until my mom lost her fight with cancer five years ago.

“Have you guys decided where you’re going to live after?” Considering Alana lived on a completely different continent, it was a relevant question.

“I’m hoping Alana and her daughter will come to live with me,” he responded. “I’m sure you’ll like her.”

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be there long enough for it to matter. This was my last summer vacation before I entered the workforce. At that point, I would live wherever my new career would take me. Which, for all I knew, could be on the other side of the country.

“When do you think you’ll be back?”

“I’ll be back next weekend.”

“And are they moving in with us right away?”

“If everything works out the way Alana and I want, they’ll be at the house within a month. She still needs to give notice at work and her daughter has to finish school for the year. Then they’ll organize whatever they need to for relocating and then pack their house up.”

Mulling that over, I still had one more month until everything changed.

“Look, I know it will be an adjustment, but you’ll be back at school in the fall.”

“As long as you’re not expecting me to look after her all the time.”

“Not at all.”

“Great. I’ll see you when you get home.”

“Thanks again, son.”

“No problem, Dad.” I ended the call.

I glanced up at the guys, who all looked at me with matching expressions.

“Your dad’s getting married again?” Rick asked.

I sighed. “Yeah.” No one was a fan of change, and this was a big one.

“Is he moving?”

“Nah, she is. Apparently she’s got a daughter too.”

Darren chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

“Hope you’re not stuck babysitting for the entire summer while they’re on their honeymoon,” Rick added. “Ashley’s mom remarried someone close to her age and they’re gonna have a baby. They roped her into looking after her step-sister for a couple of weeks while they go on a baby moon or whatever the fuck it’s called.”

Fuck.

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