Page 68 of Until Forever

I zip my spine straight, unable to hide the frown that forms. He’s never liked Jasper, I know that, but his words are harsh and uncalled for.

“Raymond,” Mom chastises. “Don’t start.”

“No, Mom. Dad clearly has something to get off his chest. Let him.” I wave and lean against the counter.

Mom sighs and shakes her head while turning off the burner. She moves around me for plates from the cupboard and proceeds to set the table. I glance around my dad to see that she’s put out three place settings despite me telling her that I’m not hungry.

“I just think you’re making a mistake. You always do when it comes to that boy.” He throws a hand in my direction then rests his palms on the island.

“What mistakes, Dad?”

“Dating him. Letting him get you pregnant.”

I scoff, and my mother slaps the back of her hand against his shoulder. “Raymond. Stop it.” She turns to me. “He doesn’t mean that.”

“Seriously? I didn’t exactly choose to get pregnant, Dad. It happened. Accidents happen, but JJ is the best thing I have in this life, so—”

“You know that’s not what I’m saying. I love my grandson, and you know that. But when it comes to that boy—”

“Jasper,” I cut in.

He takes a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. “You don’t think straight. It’s bad enough he’s back in your life, but now you’ve let him move in. You don’t know where he’s been, what kind of trouble he’s got going on. Or, God forbid, if he’d ended up like his father.”

“He hasn’t,” I snap, my voice louder than I intended. I set my drink down and suck in a deep breath to keep my cool. His words may have hit a nerve, but he’s still my father. “I get that you’re concerned, I really do, but you’re being unfair. You’ve never even tried to get to know him. Instead, you’re passing judgment based on what, Dad? Some preconceived notions based on who his father is? I came to try to get you totryto accept him, but it doesn’t look like that’s feasible.”

“He’s no good for you, Latoya. The man left you to raise your baby alone; you can’t be this silly.”

I flinch.

“Raymond,” my mother whispers with her shoulders slumped.

With my lips pinched into a tight line, I push away from the counter. “You don’t know him,” I say after a beat. “And if you cared to ask questions instead of judging, you’d know that Jasper didn’t know about JJ. You’d know there is more to the story. You’d know that he realizes he made a mistake, and he’s making up for it. JJ is happy. I am happy, and whether you choose to believe it or not, Jasper is a big part of that. Now, I know you love us, and you’ve done everything in your power to make sure we’re okay. And that means the world to me.” I sigh. “But I’m going to go. I have work tomorrow, and I promised my kid a movie night.”

I walk over to my mother and plant a kiss on her cheek. She returns the gesture, holding on to my forearm with sadness in her eyes. My dad stands up straight, squaring his shoulder and raking his gaze over my features. He doesn’t move when I kiss his cheek, and I don’t expect him to. He’s stubborn that way, a trait I got honestly.

“Toya,” Mom calls.

I glance at her and smile then I head for the exit. “We’ll see you on game day,” I toss over my shoulder.

“Baby, don’t leave like this.” My mother’s voice. “Raymond, go talk to her.”

Stopping at the door, I hold it open, waiting, hoping he’ll do as my mom suggested and come after me.

“I said what I needed to say,” he retorts.

From the creaking of the floorboards, I imagine he’s exited the kitchen into his sitting room that sits off at the back of the house.

“You’re so stubborn,” she gripes.

A wave of defeat and sadness washes over me, making me feel small. I came to my parents’ home with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. But now, as I descend the porch and storm to my Jeep, all I feel is defeat.

I flip on the radio, turning the volume up as high as it’ll go, needing to drown out my thoughts. This is the right decision—this new life with Jasper. I just hope that my father comes around for JJ’s sake.

* * *

Jasper is sitting at his desk when I step into our home. He smiles, but his expression immediately morphs into a frown after seeing mine.

The music didn’t help, nor did taking the long way around or riding with the windows down. Nothing seems to work until I see him. I slouch over to him, and he pushes the chair back and turns toward me, confusion still written all over his face.

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