Page 40 of Trusting You
“Oh stop,” Avery shouted from where she was shuffling around the bedroom. “Are you two competing for who can whine more, or something?” she rounded the corner and grabbed a water out of the fridge.
“Love you too, Mom,” I chuckled as I sat down at the table. “How about making me one of those too,” I motioned to where Dad was piling lunch meat on a slice of bread.
“What is it that you’re here for?” he turned and narrowed his eyes on me. “I mean, other than eating my food, and interrupting my afternoon ‘fun time’?”
“Really? Afternoon fun time?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not ten anymore. You can call it sex,” I made a ‘duh’ face before rolling my eyes again.
“Ok,” Dad grinned. Great, this would be good. “Why are you here interrupting my time with you mom? I was just about to really get into it and make her scream. We’ve been waiting all week to be alone and not be exhausted.”
I sat there staring at him, “I told you Mel is coming this weekend.”
“Sure,” Avery shrugged as she sipped her water.
“Well, I was thinking she could stay here,” I cringed as I waited for one or both of them to tell me no.
“I’m ok with that, if you are,” Avery glanced at Dad before rounding the table and giving me a side hug around the shoulders. “You know you could have asked us that over the phone, honey.”
“There’s got to be more to this,” Dad sighed. “Why don’t you want her at your place? You know I’m not letting you two bang all over this house. You’ll be respectful here,” he pointed a knife covered in mayo at me.
“I thought this place would be nicer than mine. Plus, all the guys are there. It’s not really a place for a woman, and since when do you care if I ‘bang’ someone?” I used finger quotes. “Again…I’m not a kid. If you weren’t ‘banging’ someone at my age, I wouldn’t be here.” I pointed at my chest with my thumb. It was a low blow, but I couldn’t understand why he was getting all parental on me right now. In the past, he’d just toss a box of condoms my way and tell me to be careful.
“What has gotten into you?” Avery glared at Dad. “Is this because you didn’t finish?”
“Ugh! Gross!” I curled my lip. “Can we not talk about sex anymore? That’s not what I came here for.”
“So, what’s up?” Avery sat across from me and shot a glare at my dad.
“You might want to sit down for this,” I warned my father.
“Ok,” he dragged the word out. “Why do I get the feeling that this is not good?” He rounded the counter and started to come over to the table, holding the sandwich in one hand, and the knife in the other.
I swallowed, “Can you put the knife down first?”
“Jesus, what did you do?” he tossed the knife in the sink and ran his palm down his face.
“Why do you think I did anything?” I glanced at him before staring at where I’d placed my hands in my lap.
“I’m your dad. I know when you’re hiding something, and right now you’re hiding something. Something big by the looks of it.”
“Fine,” I rolled my eyes. “Mel has a son.” I watched Avery’s mouth form a little oh before her lips turned up into a smile. “He’s coming with her, and I want them to stay here.” I glanced over at dad. He hadn’t said anything, and I was afraid if I stopped talking, he’d tell me how crazy I was. “I really like her, and I don’t want this to be weird, but I think this is the best place for them to be. And, I want them to get to know you guys.”
“A baby?” Avery cooed. “Oh Cam, it’s a baby.” She clapped her hands together like I’d just told them I was giving them a million dollars or something.
“Well, he’s two, not really a baby,” I bit my cheek as my eyes pinged between them. “Say something,” I stared at where my dad was wiggling his jaw from side to side.
“Do you have any idea what you’re getting into?” he mumbled. “A kid is a lot of work.”
“I know,” I relaxed into my chair. They hadn’t said no, so that meant I had a chance.
“Do you?” he crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you have any idea what you’re taking on? I gave up so much to raise you, and I had help.”
Avery turned and gave Dad an evil look, “He’ll have help too.”
“What if it doesn’t work out, then what? What happens when this kid grows attached to you, and you’re no longer in the picture? Are you ready to just walk out of his life?” his head tipped to the side as he stared at me. “Are you ready to settle down? You just finished school. Are you going to give up the single life to be a dad full time? You do know it’s a job that you never get time off from, right?” He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Where is this coming from?” Avery glared at Dad. “I said yes to you, and stuck around. I knew what I was getting into, and I wouldn’t change any of it.”
“I know what’s at risk,” I was angry. I couldn’t believe after all the ridicule I received about being a player from the family that he would question why I wanted to settle down.
