He glances at the clock. “Seven. You’ve got work.”
I groan again. “Like you care,” I mutter. “It’s a stupid job.”
His jaw tightens. “I care about your future. Don’t ever doubt it.”
I grunt. He kneels beside me, his hand gentle on my cheek. “You holding up okay after yesterday?”
I force a smile. “Fine, Dad. I’ve learned to deal.”
He studies my face as if searching for cracks. “I wish you knew it wasn’t your fault. You’d deal with it differently.”
My chest stings. “Sorry you have to put up with my mood swings. Embarrassed?”
He grips my chin, lifting my gaze to his. His eyes, steady blue, soften. “My girl’s never embarrassed me, and she won’t start now.”
He releases me, pushing to his feet and turning to leave.
“Dad...?”
He stops, knowing I’m about to ask something difficult. “Ask.”
“Will you let me love whoever I want?”
His expression darkens as he faces me again. “Don’t like where this is going, Mischief.”
“I get to choose, right?”
He exhales, eyes hard. “If he’s decent, I’ll bless it. If he’s a fuckwit, then no.”
“Define fuckwit?”
He crosses his arms. “Meaning he has to be good enough for you, in every single way. Not a cheater, abuser, liar, drug addict, you know the drill.”
Liar.
We would be classed as liars, Travis especially because my dad trusts him.
I sigh, frustrated. “I should shower.”
He smiles but there is hesitation in his gaze. He wants to ask more, but he doesn’t. “You goin’ home tonight?”
“It’s Monday, that’s usually the plan.”
He nods. “You don’t have to, but your Ma needs you.”
I give him a gentle expression. “What about you, old man?”
He grins. “I’m a big boy, can handle myself.”
“So you’re saying you don’t miss me?”
He walks over, leaning down and kissing my forehead. “I miss you every fuckin’ second.”
I beam as he leaves.
An hour later, after two coffees and zero attempt at making myself look good, I step into the office. The air vibrates with hushed conversations and clicking keyboards. Sally, tall, sleek in a pinstripe suit, snaps her fingers by my elbow. “There’s a guy here, for business he said. You’ve helped him out before. He’s in the conference room.” She smooths her hair, then leads me into the conference room.
My heart skids to a stop.