He gave me a pitying look as if he didn't believe me either. "Now, that's no way to talk to your father. The man who gave you life."
"You had a limited role in my life growing up." All he'd ever done was take things from me. My mother's love and attention, our money, and food.
He took another step. "That's not how I see it."
Matt moved closer as if to intervene and protect his family.
I held my palm up to stop Dad from moving any closer. "There's nothing here for you."
"That's not how I see it. This here's a nice house. There're several Sterling brothers' businesses listed, and you're on one of them. There seems to be a lot of money to go around. You should support your parents." He raised his voice, the sound carrying across the lawn to the porch.
"You were never a parent, and you certainly never supported us. I was the one who was around to help Mom and Emery after you'd take money from us and disappear."
Somewhere behind me, I heard a gasp. I didn't turn around. I didn't need to see the pitying looks.
"You need to leave, or I'm calling the police." Matt came to stand next to me. "Cooper's been like a son to me, and I won't let you bully him on my property."
I'd like to say that I could handle my father, but it was nice to have Matt's support, especially since I always looked up to him.
Was this what the guys were talking about? I needed to allow myself to be supported. It wasn't about being a lone wolf anymore. I had the Sterlings at my back, and I wasn't ashamed to admit it. It felt good to let them in, to let them see my greatest vulnerability, my father.
Now that Dad was front and center in my life, I could easily see that I wasn't anything like him. He showed up only to take from his family, whereas I was there for other people. I took care of my mother and sister, and I was always there for the Sterlings, my clients, and friends.
"You're not welcome here. I don't want to see you at Mom's or Emery's either," I said firmly.
Hudson stepped forward, flanked by the rest of his brothers. We made a formidable sight, all standing together in silent support. "If we hear that you bothered Mrs. Kimbell or Emery, you'll have to deal with all of us."
"No more freeloading off Mom. She deserves to move on from you." I was still angry, but the irritation was easing because I had so many people supporting me and my family.
The best thing I'd ever done was introduce Emery to the Sterlings. I was worried that they'd think less of me if they knew, but instead, they supported me. From here on out, I wasn't fighting their attempts to include me in their family. It felt good to be part of the Sterlings.
Dad grumbled, but he turned around and got in his car.
A whoop went up, and everyone was talking and laughing at once. I couldn't believe that he'd left. Was it truly over? Would he leave me alone this time?
I had a feeling that he didn't want to fight all of us. It was the Sterlings backing me up that changed his mind.
He peeled out of the driveway, and for the first time, I felt free of him. He wasn't a rock around my neck anymore. He was a part of my past that I'd moved on from. I turned to face their reaction. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Maria hugged me, and I patted her awkwardly. It was rare that she gave me a hug. She seemed to sense I'd rebuff the attention. "We love you. When are you going to get that through your thick skull?"
I chuckled as she pulled away. "I think I'm getting that now."
Matt held out his hand, and when I took it, he said, "Welcome to the family, son. You've been a part of it for a long time, but I don't think you truly believed that."
"I do now."
He nodded, letting go of my hand. "Glad to hear it."
Maria and Matt went inside, and the crowd parted so that Aspen stood at the base of the stairs. What did she think of my father now that she'd seen him in action? Had she decided I wasn't worth the trouble?
Everyone slowly filtered inside, the guys touching my shoulder as they passed, a sign of silent support. They were okay with me dating their sister. I just wasn't sure if Aspen would be.
Had she liked me better when I was a secret? Would she accept me stepping fully into her life? I wouldn't accept anything less.
I stepped closer to her, feeling more inside my body than I ever had before. I wasn't questioning my right to be here. I was a good man, and I deserved everything I ever wanted, and that was Aspen Sterling.
I hadn't prepared for this moment. I didn't buy a ring or plan a proposal. But this moment felt bigger somehow. This was a declaration that I wanted her. "I told you I loved you. But that was before I knew who I was."