Her hands went to her hips. "You think that dating my daughter changed how we think of you?"
"I betrayed you." I couldn't think of a worse thing to do to the family that had always been there for me.
Maria shook her head.
Matt came outside, closing the door firmly behind him. He stood on the porch, assessing me for several long seconds. Finally, he asked, "You love my daughter?"
That had become very clear the last two weeks. I was miserable without her. "Yes, sir."
His brow furrowed. "Then why aren't you inside begging for her forgiveness?"
"I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. The guys said I had to feel worthy of her, and I'm not sure I do. Not yet." I wasn't sure I ever would feel that way.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You never feel like you're truly worthy of the woman you fall in love with, and that's a good thing. It keeps you working hard to keep her."
I hadn't thought of it like that before. I didn't have to have all the answers yet. But I needed to be willing to grow and evolve.
Ford opened the door. "Are we having a family meeting outside?"
"We were just having a nice chat," Maria said, and I felt the warmth in my chest spread that Ford had referred to me as family.
Maverick and Morgan pushed past Ford to join us on the porch. The door was open now, and I could see Hudson, Lincoln, and their women watching us curiously.
Just then a small sedan pulled into the driveway, blocking everyone in. The paint was peeling on the hood, and there was rust on the bumper.
"Who's that?" Penny asked as everyone filed onto the porch.
Aspen waited in the doorway as if she was unsure whether she should disappear or join us.
My dad got out of the car, and my stomach dropped. I couldn't escape. He was blocking my exit.
"Who's that?" Ayla asked.
"You should take her inside," I said to Angela, who immediately complied.
I couldn't relax with everyone standing outside to witness this showdown with my dad. I moved off the porch, hoping to head him off and to keep the conversation between us.
He wore a white shirt that looked like it hadn't been washed in a while, jeans with holes in them, and scuffed boots. Not that he ever held down a job or did actual work.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, a warning note in my voice.
He took in the family standing on the porch, then smiled. "You know, I always thought it was funny that you worked so hard to be the hired help. But then I saw your name on the sign. Moving up in the world."
He had been watching me closely, waiting for the right time.
I was desperate for him to stop talking. "You need to leave."
An easy smile spread over his face. "Now. Now. I figured if your name is on the door, you're making an equal share in the business and all that. You have money to share with your down-on-his-luck father."
My jaw tightened. "I'm not giving you another penny. If you don't leave, I'll call the police."
He scoffed. "And tell them what? You don't want to talk to your dad?"
I sensed Aspen stepping off the porch and standing a few feet away from me. I didn't need her to fight my battles for me, but more importantly, I didn't want her to hear any of this. He was my greatest shame, the person I'd always hidden from my new life. I preferred when our paths didn't cross, but Dad was here, blowing up everything like he always did.
Maybe that's why I never minded that my name wasn't on the sign. Then Dad couldn't possibly covet what he didn't know I had.
"I don't talk about you. I don't even think about you." Or at least, that was my goal.