Page 40 of The Himbo and the Lord
I’m chuckling lightly at my own thoughts as I step back, and I happen to get a perfect view of my father over all the people crowding him and Mom.
He looks so fucking happy that it instantly sours my mood.
To avoid it, I look around, searching out Seth, and see him just finishing his own hug with Chelsea, so he’s by my side again in no time
“What’s the matter with you?” he demands, and I can only shake my head.
We’ve had the conversation about my relationship with my dad a couple of times, and that’s two too many for my liking. There’s no way I’m bothering him with this.
“Let’s just?—”
Again, the sound of silver against glass sounds over the room and interrupts my brush-off. We turn, and this time it’s my father who’s asking everyone for their attention.
“Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate this amazing surprise with us.” He looks at Chelsea with so much unbridled love that it actually stops my heart. And when his eyes shift to Arthur, I see respect there.
That’s two things I’ve never seen in his eyes when he looks at me, if we’re counting or whatever.
“I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful that I’ve gotten to witness you two fall in love and build your life together. I’m sure there’s so much more happiness and love in your future.” He raises his glass to them and smiles through the emotion that’s clearly doing a number on him. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted for my children. To know that you’ll be taken care of, and know the incomparable feeling of family. To Chelsea and Arthur,” he cheers finally.
The overwhelming emotion is nowhere to be seen by the end, but now it’s hitting me.
Does he mean that?
Is that really all he wants for me too?
Or was he talking out of his ass?
The realization that I need to know the answer isn’t as bad as knowing that the only way to know is to ask.
* * *
It’s almostseven hours later when the final guests leave with Chelsea and Arthur, and though my father isn’t anywhere to be seen, I know where he’ll be.
So I kiss Mom’s cheek even though her eyes fill with happy tears again—which they’ve been doing all day—then I hug her close.
I know confronting my father isn’t the best idea today, but I can’t not do it.
And I might get myself booted to the street once and for all.
Or...
Everything could get better.
If what he said is true, then maybe I can tell him the truth. Maybe I can show him what I’m doing with my life.
Maybe he won’t dismiss me.
So I squeeze Mom once more, then wish her a good night, and go to my room to get my laptop.
“Yes,” Dad calls out when I knock on his office door.
One more deep breath, and then I walk in, my strides determined and my gaze firmly fixed on his forehead.
I can’t look him in the eye when I say this.
So I don’t, and I just start talking.
“I’ve been lying to you. I do have a job. I’ve had one for years. Well, not ajob,job, but look.”
