Page 133 of The Only Thing That's Real
But when a recent video of Sawyer rocking out in his car seat while singing along with one of Knox’s first singles fills the screen, he leaps to his feet, his fist in the air doing his best Judd Nelson impression. “That’s my boy! Woo! Do you see him, Ry?”
“I do.” I chuckle. “Looks like he’s a fan.”
He picks me up, swinging me around. “He’s a fucking fan,” he whispers in my ear. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but like I said, Mia did all the work. She stayed up all night, putting the video clips together. It’s her you need to thank.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love you?”
“I love you too.”
“How about we celebrate tonight? Gus said Daisy and Owen and who knows who else will be at The House. If you’re down, I’d like to go. You should invite your sister and Abe.”
Chapter Sixty-Six
Knox
Ryan swats at my hand when I pinch her ass on the way into my brother’s bar. “Behave!”
“Impossible around you.”
Something cuts short her chuckle and her steps, causing me to run into her.
“Shit, baby. What is it?”
As soon as I speak the words, I see exactly what’s stopped her in her tracks. Her dad is five feet away, beer in hand, his eyes glazed over.
He’s propped up on the barstool closest to the door, with a perfect view of anyone entering the bar, including us. We have to pass him to get inside. Of all the places for him to be sitting.
The House is huge; the bar is the first thing you see, but once beyond it there are booths and high-top tables and theold firehouse doors are rolled up to extend to outdoor seating, games, and firepits. Why did he have to be seated here?
We haven’t seen him since I told him to kick rocks at her grandfather’s funeral. Hopefully, my presence will keep him on his best behavior. We came early to eat before things get busy and the music gets too loud. After our long emotional day, we’re both starved and this is the last thing she needs.
“Hey, Dad,” Ryan offers awkwardly.
Mr. Jameson’s eyes flick to mine, then back to hers. He lifts his beer bottle in a greeting. “Ryan.”
Good, our confrontation did the trick.
“Hello, sir.” I try my hand at civility.
He nods.
We move past him, but the bitter old man can’t leave well enough alone. “Nice to see you slumming it with the rest of us. I’m surprised since you always did think your shit didn’t stink.”
Turning on my heel, happy to give him a piece of my mind, I don’t get the chance.
“Enough,” Rebecca says firmly, but not loud enough to cause a scene. “No more. We’re not scared of you anymore, Dad. Ryan was the perfect daughter to you, and you made her feel like dirt. Like an outsider in her own family. Like the issues in your marriage were her fault. You were cruel and Mom and I stood by and watched it happen.”
Ryan touches Rebecca’s shoulder, getting her to turn away from their dad. “It’s okay. Really, I’m okay.”
“No. I’ve sat back for thirty years now, too scared of this sad old man to say anything. I’m ashamed I didn’t do more.”
“You were a kid.”
“It’s no wonder you left the first chance you got.” Sheturns her attention back to her father. “That’s right. Leaving here was the best thing she could have done for herself. Anything to get away from you. You should be ashamed of yourself for many things but making her feel guilty for leaving and living a life most of us can only dream about I’ll never understand. You should be proud of her. I am.” She turns back to Ryan pulling her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, baby sister. And I’m so sorry nobody stood up for you.”
Both sisters are crying while Mr. Jameson stares at them, shaking his head. His gaze swivels to me and his lip curls up in a sneer. “Proud of a woman who would be with the likes of this man? You can’t be serious.”
