Page 65 of One is Never Enough

“Don’t apologize,” I say gruffly. “How’s Oliver?”

“He fell asleep.”

“Good,” Vince responds. He steps back and brushes Leland’s curly hair out of his eyes with his fingers. “Have you eaten?”

Leland gives him a puzzled look. “I ate dinner with Oliver.”

Vince looks at me, and I roll my eyes. “Yes. I have.”

“Okay. I’ll grab some snacks.”

Vince disappears inside, and Leland gives my side one last squeeze. “Are you good?”

I wipe my eyes and nod. “Yeah. For now.”

“If you need time, just tell Oliver. He’ll understand.”

“I know. I just don’t know how to tell that sometimes. Jace—” I swallow hard. “He usually takes care of everything.”

I know that sounds stupid coming from a grown ass man, but it’s just how our relationship has always worked. I’ve never handled emotion well, and I’m usually over the top. Jace is that calming presence that I need.

I don’t know what to do without him.

Chapter 26

Aiden

Iput my car in park and look up at the house I haven’t seen in years. Seeing my dad’s house should bring back happy memories, but all it does it make my stomach twist painfully.

I finally called him to talk to him again, and he still sounded sincere so I agreed when he invited me to dinner. I know I should have told the guys, but I needed to do this for me. I’ll call them immediately after.

I put my phone on silent, push my door open before I change my mind, and head toward the porch. My hand pauses when I’m about to knock and decide to turn around and leave. The door is pulled open, and my dad is standing there.

“Aiden.”

“Dad.” I shove my hands in my pockets, already feeling awkward as fuck. “How are you?”

“I’m good, son. Come in.” He steps to the side and sweeps his arm out for me to enter. I hesitate for a split second before walking over the threshold. No matter how hard I try, my dad’s constant derogatory comments assault me. It’s like I can hear them echoing around the house.

“I think this was a bad idea.”

Dad’s face falls, but he nods. “I won’t force you to stay, Aiden. But I would love for you to.”

I reluctantly nod and follow him into the dining room. Nothing in this house has changed. It’s still decorated the same, and all the same pictures hang on the wall. It’s like Dad has been frozen in time since I left. He sits down at the head of the table, and I take my place at the other end. The table already has the food waiting on the plate, but I wait for him to say something.

“Go ahead,” Dad says with a hopeful smile.

I pick up my knife and fork, cutting into the steak. I take a bite and give him a smile back. “This is really good.”

“I got a new grill the other day. I wanted to try it out.” Dad chuckles nervously, and it somehow relaxes me a little. I focus on the food, and when I’m done, I take a sip of the wine. I look everywhere but him until I hear him sigh. “I don’t want it to be like this, Aiden.”

“I don’t either,” I admit. “But there’s years of bad blood between us.”

“I know. I also know it’s my fault. I’m willing to try if you are. I’d even like to meet the guys…in a more official capacity.”

“In time.” I’m not ready to fully test the theory that Dad is truly going to accept this part of my life. He can talk all the shit he wants to me but not them. “I want to fix things with us first.”

“Absolutely. I just wanted you to know that the option is there.”

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